India’s racquet sports scene is about to get a major boost with the launch of the World Pickleball League (WPBL), the first-ever professional pickleball league, spearheaded by Gaurav Natekar and SETVI. The league will feature six franchises competing for the title, with each team comprising international stars, Indian players, and junior players. This unique mix aims to provide a platform for young talent to learn from the best in the world.
Pickleball, a sport played in over 80 countries, has been steadily gaining popularity in India, with over 30,000 amateur players and 8000 registered players across 18 states. Known for its accessibility and appeal to a wide age range, from seven to 70, pickleball is becoming a favorite recreational and competitive sport globally.
In other sports news, Madhur Yadav’s stellar performance led Mount Club to a seven-wicket victory over Delhi Wanderers in the Goswami Ganesh Dutt cricket tournament. Yadav’s impressive knock of 135 runs helped his team chase down the target of 189 with ease, earning him the Kimati Player of The Match award.
Meanwhile, in the AITA ranking tennis tournament, Sejal Bhutada and Adil Kalyanpur showcased their skills, with Bhutada securing a win in the women’s singles and doubles categories, and Kalyanpur advancing to the men’s singles final. The tournament also saw exciting matches in the under-16 boys category, with Uttam Karthik and Kushagra Arora booking their spots in the final.
On the squash front, India’s contingent for the 22nd Asian Team Squash championships in China was announced, with top players like Velavan Senthilkumar and Rathika Seelan leading the charge. The focus is on nurturing young talent for future international competitions, including the 2026 Asian Games and the sport’s anticipated Olympic debut in LA ’28.