Egypt start favourites while India would have to cross swords with traditional sporting rivals Pakistan in the same pool, as the 21st world team squash championships starts at India Cements Limited (ICL) Squash Academy courts here on Thursday.

England will defend their title in 29-team field while Egypt, last year’s runner-up, attempt to regain the title they had last won in 1999.

Indian challenge would be spearheaded by national champion Saurav Ghosal and the experienced Ritwik Bhattacharya.

The teams have been divided into eight pools for the league phase from which the top two from each group will qualify for the second stage.

The matches will be played over best of five games with three singles matches and the top three players in each team will figure in the contests.  The event concludes on December 12.