24 September 2026 (Navroze Bureau) : India’s reigning IBSF World Snooker champion Anupama Ramachandran is turning her attention to English billiards as she prepares to lead the country’s challenge at the Commonwealth Cue Sports Championships in Ahmedabad.
The championship is scheduled to take place from October 7 to 10, with Anupama looking to add another major title to an already impressive cue-sports career.
From Snooker Success to Billiards Challenge
Anupama enters the championship with confidence after reaching the semifinals of the UK Women’s Snooker Championship earlier this month.
The 23-year-old said her recent performances have helped improve her confidence and that she feels she is in good touch heading into the Commonwealth event.
However, the transition from snooker to English billiards presents a different challenge.
While both disciplines require precise cue control and strong potting skills, billiards places greater emphasis on tactical play, positioning and a different approach to constructing breaks.
Working on Timing and Cueing
Anupama has been working with former Asian champion Yasin Merchant to improve her technique.
She said she had been struggling with aspects of her timing and cueing but has made changes to her game after working with Merchant.
The Indian cueist believes the adjustments have already made her feel more comfortable over the table and improved the consistency of her shots.
Billiards Requires a Different Mindset
Although her experience in snooker gives her an advantage in potting, Anupama acknowledged that English billiards demands a different thought process.
She has also competed in Heyball over the past year and a half, taking part in Asian and world-level competitions.
That experience across different cue-sports formats has given her additional exposure to varying tactical demands and playing styles.
India’s Strong Billiards Legacy
Anupama will be competing in a sport with a long Indian tradition.
India has produced some of the biggest names in international billiards, including Wilson Jones, Michael Ferreira, Geet Sethi and Pankaj Advani.
The country also has a strong record at the Commonwealth Cue Sports Championships. India won five medals at the previous edition in Mauritius, and Anupama hopes the team can improve on that performance in Ahmedabad.
Ahmedabad Championship Important for Indian Cue Sports
The upcoming championship is particularly significant because billiards is also part of the Commonwealth Games programme.
A strong performance in Ahmedabad could therefore provide an important competitive opportunity for Indian players preparing for future Commonwealth-level events.
For Anupama, the tournament offers another chance to demonstrate that her success in snooker can translate into success across multiple cue-sports disciplines.
Confidence After UK Run
Her semifinal appearance in the UK has provided useful momentum.
Anupama’s recent form comes as she continues to build experience against international opposition. The upcoming Commonwealth championship will test her ability to adapt her game from the fast-paced demands of snooker to the more tactical nature of English billiards.
Aiming for the Top
With preparation underway, Anupama is targeting a strong showing on home soil.
Her combination of recent snooker form, experience in other cue-sports formats and guidance from Yasin Merchant will be central to her campaign.
The Ahmedabad championship could become another important milestone in the young Indian player’s developing career.