Patna: Philip Coote of Canberra, Australia, won Round 3 of the Indian Crossword League (IXL) 2026, outperforming participants in the international cryptic crossword competition.
Aashirwad Viswanathan of Chennai secured second place, while Shashwat Salgaocar of Bengaluru finished third, completing the top three in the round.
The results highlight the league’s international participation, bringing together crossword enthusiasts from India and other countries to test their vocabulary, analytical abilities, lateral thinking and problem-solving skills.
Philip Coote Leads Overall Standings
Coote has also maintained his position at the top of the overall cumulative standings after Round 3.
Ramakrishnan K Krishnan of Chennai holds second place, while Abhay Phadnis of Mysore is ranked third.
The cumulative rankings reflect participants’ performances across the rounds held so far, with the competition continuing as solvers compete for the overall league title.
IXL Promotes Cryptic Crosswords and Logical Thinking
The Indian Crossword League aims to popularise cryptic crosswords and encourage intellectual engagement through a competitive format.
The competition challenges participants to combine language skills, logical reasoning, lateral thinking and creativity to solve complex clues.
With participants representing multiple Indian cities and countries, IXL 2026 also provides a platform for crossword enthusiasts to connect with a wider community of solvers.
Competition Continues After Round 3
The conclusion of Round 3 marks another milestone in the ongoing IXL 2026 competition. While Coote leads both the latest round’s results and the cumulative standings, the remaining rounds will determine the final league positions.
The competition continues to offer participants an opportunity to demonstrate their crossword-solving skills and compete for the season’s overall honours.
