All posts tagged: Pickleball

IPBL 2025: Lucknow, Hyderabad, Chennai start campaign with victories

IPBL 2025: Lucknow, Hyderabad, Chennai start campaign with victories

Published by Webster

The Indian Pickleball League (IPBL) – launched by The Times Group and recognised as the country’s only official league sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports – burst onto the national stage with a high-voltage opening day, with Lucknow Leopards, Hyderabad Royals, and Chennai Super Warriors delivering statement victories. Day 1 opened with Lucknow defeating the Bengaluru Blasters 4–1, highlighted by India’s top-ranked star Aditya Ruhela overcoming Vietnamese international Phuc Huynh 15–10 in a commanding season starter. The momentum carried into the second tie, where Hyderabad Royals secured a composed 4–2 win over Capital Warriors Gurgaon, taking all four early matches before Warriors clawed back with a spirited Grand Rally finish. Later in the night, Chennai Super Warriors bounced back from a match down to sweep their tie against Mumbai Smashers 5-1. Earlier in the afternoon, Delhi hosted a landmark moment in India’s sporting journey as the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Smt. Rekha Gupta formally inaugurated the inaugural season of the Indian Pickleball League at the KD Jadhav Indoor …

Indian Pickleball League: Teams, Squads, Format, All you need to know – Preview

Indian Pickleball League: Teams, Squads, Format, All you need to know – Preview

Published by Webster

–The inaugural edition of the Indian Pickleball League (IPBL) commenced in the national capital New Delhi on Monday. The league conducted by the Indian Pickleball League, which is the national federation recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sport, is the first official league for the sport in the country. A total of six teams – Bengaluru Blasters, Chennai Super Warriors, Capital Warriors Gurgaon, Hyderabad Royals, Lucknow Leopards, and Mumbai Smashers – will compete for the ultimate honours in the week-long tournament. Here, we look at all you need to know about the 2025 Indian Pickleball League: Squads Each of the six team consists of six players apiece handpicked during the player draft. Every team consists of a Super Star Male, Super Star Female, Indian Star Male, Indian Star Female, Rising Star Male, and Rising Star Female players. Bengaluru Blasters: Phuc Huynh, Pei Chuan Kao, Arjun Singh, Rakshikha Ravi, Aditya Singh,Shraddha Damani Chennai Super Warriors: Mitchell Hargreaves, Roos Van Reek, Harsh Mehta, Aaliya Ebrahim, Aman Patel, Priyanka Mehta Capital Warriors Gurgaon: Jack Munro, Emilia …

Indian Pickleball League unveils five teams for inaugural season, sixth to be added soon | Sport-others News

Indian Pickleball League unveils five teams for inaugural season, sixth to be added soon | Sport-others News

Published by Webster

Five teams of the inaugural Indian Pickleball League (IPBL) were unveiled in Chennai. The IPBL, launched by The Times Group, is recognised as the country’s only pickleball league sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA), under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Gurgaon Capital Warriors, Mumbai Smashers, Bengaluru Blasters, Chennai Super Warriors, and Hyderabad Royals are the five teams. The inaugural season of the IPBL. will be held at New Delhi’s KD Jadhav Indoor Hall at the Indira Gandhi Stadium from December 1 to 7, 2025. A sixth team will be added soon, an IPBL statement said. Udhayanidhi Stalin, the deputy chief minister of Tamil Nadu, was present at the event where the teams were unveiled. Welcoming the franchises, Vineet Jain, Managing Director, The Times Group, said, “These teams represent the scale, ambition, and reach that define the Indian Pickleball League. Together, they bring a fresh competitive spirit that will help make pickleball a modern fixture in India’s sporting landscape.” M3M India, Nazara Technologies, Accord Distillers & Brewers and Operam Ventures are the backers …

Indian Pickleball League unveils five franchises ahead of debut season

Indian Pickleball League unveils five franchises ahead of debut season

Published by Parlour News

The Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, has officially announced its first five franchises for the league’s debut season, marking a major step in the sport’s rapid rise in India. IBPL announces five franchises The unveiling took place at a high-profile launch event in Chennai, attended by Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Thiru Udhayanidhi Stalin. Actors Sreeleela and Kayadu Lohar added star power to the evening, while top Indian pickleball players Mihika Yadav and Aman Patel highlighted the sport’s growing competitive base. The first set of franchises spans India’s major metros: Gurgaon Capital Warriors (owned by M3M Gurugram) Mumbai Smashers (owned by Nazara Mumbai / Absolute Sports) Bengaluru Blasters Chennai Super Warriors (owned by Accord Group) Hyderabad Royals (owned by Operam Ventures) A sixth franchise is expected to be announced soon. The inaugural season will be staged at New Delhi’s KD Jadhav Indoor Hall at the Indira Gandhi Stadium from December 1–7, 2025, featuring top Indian and international talent in a city-based format …

Indian Pickleball League unveils five franchises for inaugural season

Indian Pickleball League unveils five franchises for inaugural season

Published by Webster

The Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), recognised as India’s only national pickleball league sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, has unveiled the first five franchises for its inaugural season. The reveal was made at a high-energy event in Chennai, graced by the Hon’ble Thiru Udhayanidhi Stalin, Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. The spectacle drew star presence from renowned actors Sreeleela and Kayadu Lohar, underlining the sport’s growing cultural appeal, alongside India’s leading pickleball talents Mihika Yadav and Aman Patel. Their attendance reflected the momentum behind IPBL and the excitement surrounding India’s newest national sporting league. Headlined by M3M Gurugram and Nazara Mumbai, the lineup also includes teams from Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad, backed by some of the country’s most dynamic corporate groups. Each city now enters the league with a fresh competitive identity: Gurgaon Capital Warriors, Mumbai Smashers, Bengaluru Blasters, Chennai Super Warriors, and Hyderabad Royals, franchises that reflect the pace, personality, and ambition of the regions they hail from. The debut season will be held …

Indian Pickleball Nationals 2025 off to a roaring start at Bengaluru

Indian Pickleball Nationals 2025 off to a roaring start at Bengaluru

Published by Webster

The opening day of the Indian Pickleball Nationals 2025 delivered electrifying action across age groups, setting a dynamic tone for the championship at the The Sports School in Bangalore on Thursday. Karnataka opened strongly on home turf, securing commanding wins in both the 30+ men’s and 30+ women’s team finals. In the 30+ men’s category, Karnataka defeated Delhi with confident performances in both singles 21–16 and doubles 21–17. Karnataka continued its dominance in the 30+ women’s finals, prevailing over Maharashtra by winning the singles 21–15 and the doubles 21–17. Other key matchups in the 30+ men’s division saw West Bengal edge past Rajasthan in two tightly contested singles encounters, while Rajasthan produced a strong doubles win with a 21–06 scoreline. In the 40+ men’s team finals, Telangana emerged as the standout performer of the age group, outplaying Karnataka decisively in both singles 21–08 and doubles 21–07. The junior categories also produced several high-quality contests. Maharashtra stamped its authority in the U-16 Girls Finals by winning both singles 21–18 and doubles 21–14 against Assam. Gujarat delivered …

Indian Pickleball League to debut in Delhi from December 1 as the nation’s first lifestyle sports league

Indian Pickleball League to debut in Delhi from December 1 as the nation’s first lifestyle sports league

Published by Webster

India’s sporting calendar is all set for a new addition with the launch of the Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), the country’s first official pickleball league, sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) and recognised by the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs. The inaugural edition will be held from December 1–7, 2025, at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. The Indian Pickleball League comes at a time when the sport is witnessing rapid global growth, celebrated for its accessibility and fast-paced energy. With over five million players and a $1.3 billion market worldwide, its rise is undeniable. In India, pickleball is expanding rapidly across key cities, with participation projected to reach a million by 2028. Around 80% of its players fall between 18 and 50 years, making it a sport enjoyed by all ages. The Indian Pickleball League now builds on this momentum, bringing the vibrancy of this youth-driven, inclusive sport into the national spotlight. Speaking on the launch, Suryaveer Singh Bhullar, President of the Indian Pickleball Association, said, “The launch of IPBL …

World Pickleball League Season 2 Draft welcomes global talent from 18 countries

World Pickleball League Season 2 Draft welcomes global talent from 18 countries

Published by Webster

The World Pickleball League (WPBL) entered a new chapter today as the Season 2 Player Draft was conducted in Mumbai. All seven teams finalised their eight-member squads from a pool of 114 registered players, representing 25 countries across five continents. The final roster of 56 players features a mix of experienced athletes and emerging young talent from around the world, representing 18 nationalities, making this WPBL’s most diverse line-up yet. Season 2 introduces a more layered competitive landscape. The draft room was sharper, with teams deploying stronger scouting systems and different strategies to build balanced squads. Gaurav Natekar, Founder and CEO of WPBL, said, “This draft is reflective of the future we are building. Over a year ago, WPBL was an idea, and now players across continents are choosing this league. The scouting this year was far more evolved, and what excites us most is the surge of young talent entering the system. You can feel a shift in the energy, the ambition, and the belief. Every franchise has been deliberate and strategic, covering all …

Delhi HC reserves order in Pickleball recognition case

Delhi HC reserves order in Pickleball recognition case

Published by Webster

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday reserved its order in the ongoing matter concerning the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA) and Sports Ministry’s decision to give National Sports Federation (NSF) status to the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA). Justice Sachin Datta heard arguments and a decision is likely in four weeks. The AIPA had challenged the Union Sports Ministry’s decision to grant recognition to the IPA. “We concluded our arguments today. The Hon’ble court has reserved its judgement and we have to give our written submission. We should get a judgement in four week’s time,” AIPA’s counsel Hemanth Phalpher told The Bridge on Tuesday. Additionally, he stated that the counsel appearing for the Sports Ministry defended its decision. “They said it was their policy decision. Per them, they can give any affiliation to whomsoever we want and no one has the right to take the affiliation from them,” said Phalpher. According to him, the Sports Ministry’s counsel made it clear that it was the ministry’s sole decision as to who they recognise and whom not to. …

While Anushka Sharma-Virat Kohli unwind with a game of pickleball, RCB fans can’t stop gushing over ‘Bhaiya and Bhabhi’

While Anushka Sharma-Virat Kohli unwind with a game of pickleball, RCB fans can’t stop gushing over ‘Bhaiya and Bhabhi’

Published by Parlour News

Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli have been spending ample time together. Of late, the celebrity couple has been going places and bringing smiles to the faces of their fans by making multiple public appearances. Recently, the stars decided to spend a productive day playing a game of pickleball with the team of Royal Challengers Bengaluru. After announcing his retirement from Test cricket, Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma flew down to Delhi from Mumbai and then traveled to Vrindavan to seek blessings from Premanand Ji Maharaj. After going places, the couple is finally anchored in Bengaluru, where they enjoyed a game of pickleball. In a photo album posted by the official Instagram handle of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the regal couple can be seen celebrating after winning a game at the sports center. The photo showcases the actress, donning a white t-shirt with a pair of red leggings and black sports shoes. On the other hand, her husband, Indian cricketer Virat Kohli, stepped onto the pickleball court in a bright blue tee, paired with black shorts, white socks, and …