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{{Infobox sport overview
| title = Pickleball in India
| image = Pickleball balls and paddles.jpg
| caption = Pickleball balls and paddles
| union = [[All India Pickleball Association]]<br>
Indian Pickleball Association
| country = India
| sport = Pickleball
| noncountry =
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| national_list =
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[[Pickleball]], a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Essential Rules of Pickleball: A Quick Overview |url=https://www.teampickleball.com/blogs/the-playbook/essential-rules-of-pickleball |access-date=2024-09-10 |website=Team Pickleball |language=en}}</ref> is growing rapidly within [[India]].<ref name="forbes">{{cite web |title=From Mumbai To Goa, And Jharkhand To Kerala, The Growing Popularity Of Pickleball In India |url=https://www.forbesindia.com/article/lifes/from-mumbai-to-goa-and-jharkhand-to-kerala-the-growing-popularity-of-pickleball-in-india/86725/1 |website=Forbes India |access-date=1 September 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Tennis but not quite: Pickleball gains ground in India, riding a pandemic-born craze |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/others/tennis-but-not-quite-pickleball-gains-ground-in-india-riding-a-pandemic-born-craze-101710679315176.html |access-date=1 September 2024 |publisher=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=From Goa to Mumbai - How Pickleball Went From A Trend To A Sporting Revolution In India |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/pickleball/from-goa-to-mumbai-how-pickleball-went-from-a-trend-to-a-sporting-revolution-in-india-article-107810146 |access-date=1 September 2024 |work=Times Now |date=19 February 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Pickleball Fever Sweeps India: From Mumbai to Kerala, the Sport Takes Center Stage |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/pickleball/pickleball-fever-sweeps-india-from-mumbai-to-kerala-the-sport-takes-center-stage-article-107889890 |access-date=1 September 2024 |work=Times Now |date=21 February 2024 |language=en}}</ref> The ''[[Times Now]]'' reported in September 2024 that over 50,000 people in India played the game over the previous 18 months and at the time there were over 500 courts throughout the country, with 40 or 50 new courts being added every month.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sadhu |first1=Rahul |title=Pickleball Fever Sweeps India: More Than 50,000 Players, Nearly 500 Courts Signals Popularity Across Nation |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/pickleball/pickleball-fever-sweeps-india-more-than-50000-players-nearly-500-courts-signals-popularity-across-nation-exclusive-article-113779643 |website=Times Now News |publisher=Bennett, Coleman & Company Limited |access-date=1 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930122512/https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/pickleball/pickleball-fever-sweeps-india-more-than-50000-players-nearly-500-courts-signals-popularity-across-nation-exclusive-article-113779643 |archive-date=September 30, 2024}}</ref> The popularity of pickleball is causing waiting lists for booking courts.<ref>{{cite news |title=Padel craze sparks waitlists for courts, Pickleball booms with ₹1 crore prize |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/padel-craze-sparks-long-waitlists-for-courts-pickleball-booms-with-1-cr-prize-tournament-101717098388538.html |access-date=1 September 2024 |publisher=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Pickleball: The rising craze in India's sports scene {{!}} The Established |url=https://www.theestablished.com/culture/living/pickleballs-popularity-in-india-goes-beyond-just-a-recreational-sport |website=www.theestablished.com |access-date=1 September 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Its increasing reach is attracting sponsors and investment.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Philip |first1=Lijee |title=Pickleball growing in popularity, draws more sponsors |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/pickleball-growing-in-popularity-draws-more-sponsors/articleshow/104092433.cms |access-date=1 September 2024 |work=The Economic Times |date=2 October 2023}}</ref>

[[Pickleball]] was introduced to [[India]] in 2006 by Sunil Valavalkar and has spread to several states including [[Maharashtra]], [[Haryana]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], and [[Karnataka]].<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Pickleball in India: The game that gives life (Pt. 1) |url=https://pickleballcentral.com/blog/pickleball-in-india-the-game-that-gives-life-pt-1 |website=PickleballCentral.com |access-date=1 September 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Various clubs and centers, such as Pickleball Arena, offer coaching, court booking, and equipment sales to promote the sport.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pickleball Arena |url=https://pickleballarena.in/ |access-date=1 September 2024}}</ref>

Many pickleball tournaments have been held in India such as the 2023 Global Sports Indian Pickleball Open, and future tournaments like the World Pickleball Championship are planned to take place in India as well.<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":11" /><ref name=":12" /> Additionally, notable Indian players such as Armaan Bhatia and Mayur Patil have emerged by performing well in various events.<ref name="forbes" /><ref name=":13" />

A pickleball league called the World Pickleball League is planned to be launched in India with the backing of [[Gaurav Natekar]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Pickleball gets a league of its own in India with $10-mn investment in 3-5 years |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/technology/pickleball-gets-a-league-of-its-own-in-india-with-10-mn-investment-in-3-5-years-article-12718474.html |access-date=1 September 2024 |publisher=Moneycontrol}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{cite news |title=India Set To Get First-Ever Professional Pickleball League With WPBL {{!}} Other Sports News |url=https://sports.ndtv.com/othersports/india-set-to-get-first-ever-professional-pickleball-league-with-wpbl-5625953 |access-date=1 September 2024 |work=NDTVSports.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{cite news |title=KheloMore and All India Pickleball Association to establish 100 pickleball courts in 2 years |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/technology/khelomore-and-all-india-pickleball-association-to-establish-100-pickleball-courts-in-2-years-article-12756862.html |access-date=1 September 2024 |publisher=Moneycontrol}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=India set to launch its first-ever professional pickleball league with World Pickleball League |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/sports/news-india-set-launch-first-ever-professional-pickleball-league-world-pickleball-league |access-date=1 September 2024 |publisher=Sportskeeda}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{cite news |title=All India Pickleball Association and Natekar Sports and Gaming Forge Pathbreaking Partnership for India's Inaugural Pickleball League |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/business/business/all-india-pickleball-association-and-natekar-sports-and-gaming-forge-pathbreaking-partnership-for-indias-inaugural-pickleball-league20240131190342/ |access-date=1 September 2024 |work=ANI News |language=en}}</ref> There are also plans to bring [[PPA Tour]] and [[Major League Pickleball]] to India in 2025.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Golden |first1=Jessica |title=Professional pickleball signs first international deal, looks to grow the sport in India |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/25/us-pro-pickleball-group-signs-first-international-deal-in-india.html |access-date=1 September 2024 |work=CNBC |date=25 April 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

== History ==
[[Pickleball]] was introduced to [[India]] in 2006 by Sunil Valavalkar.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2024-09-06 |title=Pickleball Boom: The trendy, social sport is winning hearts in India too |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/other-sports/story/pickleball-boom-india-trendy-sport-manish-rao-sunil-valavakar-2594812-2024-09-06 |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> Valavalkar's first experience with pickleball was in British Columbia, Canada in 1999, where he played it daily during his 110-day stay. Following a later trip to Cincinnati, Ohio in 2006, Valavalkar was reminded of pickleball during a tennis clinic. He returned to India and began seriously demonstrating pickleball, with his daughter and niece being the first examples. Initially, it was not well received.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=From Mumbai To Goa, And Jharkhand To Kerala, The Growing Popularity Of Pickleball In India |url=https://www.forbesindia.com/article/lifes/from-mumbai-to-goa-and-jharkhand-to-kerala-the-growing-popularity-of-pickleball-in-india/86725/1 |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=Forbes India |language=en}}</ref> In 2008, Valavalkar formed the [[All India Pickleball Association]] (AIPA), which was granted affiliation to the International Pickleball Federation in 2015. The AIPA was also a founding member of the Asia Federation of Pickleball.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AIPA |url=https://www.pickleball.in/about_aipa.php |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=www.pickleball.in}}</ref>

Pickleball has spread to many [[States and union territories of India|states]] including [[Karnataka]] and [[Jharkhand]]. Valavalkar helped organize some of the first national-level tournaments from 2013 to 2018. As time went on, the sport grew with more tournaments and larger prize pools.<ref name=":1" />

== Tournaments ==
In February 2023, the 2023 Global Sports Indian Pickleball Open was hosted at the Panjim Gymkhan venue in [[Goa]].<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |title=panjim gymkhan |url=https://pickleball.global/clubs/9561 |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=pickleball.global |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref name=":11">{{Cite web |last=Global |first=Pickleball |title=2023 Global Sports Indian Pickleball Open |url=https://pickleball.global/compete/2023-Global-Sports-Indian-Pickleball-Open-1168/ |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=pickleball.global |language=en-gb}}</ref> The PWR DUPR India Masters in October 2024 at New Delhi's RK Khanna Tennis Stadium gathered 750 players and was India's first international pickleball event on the PWR World Tour, awarding up to 700 ranking points to participants.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-10-23 |title=DUPR India Masters from Oct 24 to 27: Delhi to experience pickleball thrill as 750 players to compete for $50,000 prize |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/dupr-india-masters-from-oct-24-to-27-delhi-to-experience-pickleball-thrill-as-750-players-to-compete-for-50000-prize/articleshow/114515472.cms |access-date=2024-11-07 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Additionally, the World Pickleball Championship (WPC) will take place in [[Mumbai]] from November 12–17, 2024.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |date=2024-11-04 |title=India to host World Pickleball Championship for first time, showcasing global talent in Mumbai |url=https://www.indiatodayne.in/sport/story/india-to-host-world-pickleball-championship-for-first-time-showcasing-global-talent-in-mumbai-1115595-2024-11-04 |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=India Today NE |language=hi}}</ref> [[Kolkata]] will host its first DUPR-certified tournament from November 21–24, 2024, at the [[Ballygunge]] Arena, offering players a chance to compete for Bengal State rankings and entry into December's National Tournament.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-04 |title=Kolkata To Witness {{as written|I|t's [sic]}} First-Ever DUPR-PWR Competition ! IPA Announces Bengal State Ranking Pickleball Tournament PWR 100 : Check Deets |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/pickleball/kolkata-to-witness-its-first-ever-dupr-pwr-competition-ipa-announces-bengal-state-ranking-pickleball-tournament-pwr-100-check-deets-article-114949726 |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=Times Now |language=en}}</ref>

===Leagues===
[[PWR DUPR India League]] organised by [[Pickleball World Rankings]] was launched in December 2024. It is scheduled to be held in Mumbai from 10 to 22 January 2025<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-21 |title=PWR DUPR India League 2025: From Armaan Bhatia to Dusty Boyr, Star-Studded Roster Of Players Who Are Likely To Feature |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/pickleball/pwr-dupr-india-league-2025-from-armaan-bhatia-to-dusty-boyr-star-studded-roster-of-players-who-have-signed-up-so-far-article-116534788 |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=Times Now |language=en}}</ref> India League is associated with Indian Pickleball Association.

[[World Pickleball League]](WPBL) co-founded by former tennis player [[Gaurav Natekar]] and his wife Arti Ponnanpa Natekar. Scheduled from January 24 to February 2 at [[Cricket Club of India]], Mumbai<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-20 |title=World Pickleball League: Gaurav Natekar confident of revolutionary inaugural season |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/story/world-pickleball-league-gaurav-natekar-interview-2652892-2024-12-20 |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> WPBL is partnered with the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA), the governing body for pickleball in India. AIPA has championed the sport of Pickleball in India for fifteen (15) years. Affiliated with the International Pickleball Federation (IPF)

== Performance ==
India has sent [[athlete]]s to international pickleball competitions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jain |first=Keyur |date=2024-10-30 |title=Pickleball global rankings: Check India's rising stars position in the world |url=https://www.insidesport.in/chak-de-india/pickleball-global-rankings-india-position-in-the-world-vanshik-kapadia/ |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=Inside Sport India |language=en}}</ref>

=== Notable players ===
Indian players have made a strong presence in the sport of pickleball, competing in both national and international tournaments.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Proud of our athletes' performance at World Pickleball Championship: AIPA President Arvind Prabhoo |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/sports/others/proud-of-our-athletes-performance-at-world-pickleball-championship-aipa-president-arvind-prabhoo20241004114619/ |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=ANI News |language=en}}</ref> Armaan Bhatia, currently ranked as one of the top pickleball players in Asia, claimed a trio of titles at the inaugural PWR DUPR India Masters, held at the [[R. K. Khanna Tennis Complex]] in [[New Delhi]].<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |date=2024-10-27 |title=Armaan Bhatia grounds American star Dusty to win first major pickleball event in India |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/armaan-bhatia-dusty-wins-first-pickleball-event-india-9641879/ |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> Bhatia won the cup in men's singles, mixed doubles, and men's doubles at this event.

Mayur Patil from [[Maharashtra]] was among the six Indians representing India at the English Open in August 2023. He won a silver in the open category in the [[Bainbridge Cup]].<ref name="forbes" />

The Indian contingent also won four gold and two bronze medals in the Asian Open Pickleball Championship 2024 held in [[Vietnam]].<ref>{{cite news |date=10 May 2024 |title=Indians dominate Asian Pickleball Championship with 4 gold, 2 silver |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/indians-dominate-asian-pickleball-championship-with-4-gold-2-silver/articleshow/110006336.cms |access-date=1 September 2024 |work=The Times of India}}</ref>

As of November 2024, India has 7 players ranked within the global men's singles top 50 (22 players in top 100), and 8 players ranked within the global women's singles top 50 (15 players in top 100).<ref>{{Cite web |title=ProKennex Men's Singles GPR |url=https://pickleball.global/rankings |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=pickleball.global}}</ref>

== Popularity ==
Starting around 2020, many individuals of various ages and levels of experience have since began to participate in pickleball games as a recreational activity.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=2024-09-03 |title=Easy format of pickleball makes sport popular among young and old alike |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/easy-format-of-pickleball-gaining-popularity-among-all-age-groups/articleshow/113006285.cms |access-date=2024-11-07 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Specifically during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], more individuals in India played pickleball as a non-contact and gender-agnostic activity compared to previous years.<ref name=":2" /> Services such as [[Hudl]] have reported that in between 2023 and 2024, at least 50,000 people in India had played at least one game of pickleball.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2024-09-30 |title=Pickleball Fever Sweeps India: More Than 50,000 Players, Nearly 500 Courts Signals Popularity Across Nation {{!}} EXCLUSIVE |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/pickleball/pickleball-fever-sweeps-india-more-than-50000-players-nearly-500-courts-signals-popularity-across-nation-exclusive-article-113779643 |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=Times Now |language=en}}</ref> Additionally, India has now developed over 500 pickleball courts across the country.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2024-09-12 |title=India joins global Pickleball, Padel boom as sports surpass tennis' growth |url=https://www.firstpost.com/sports/tennis-pickleball-padel-growth-racket-sport-india-13814320.html |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=Firstpost |language=en-us}}</ref> These courts are located in India's densely populated cities, and can also be found in the country's less urban settings as well.

Organizations such as the Federation of Pickleball Association of Kerala and India's different amateur pickleball clubs have helped develop the pickleball scene in India by running competitions, creating courts, and coaching amateur pickleball players. [https://goodlandpickleball.com Goodland Pickleball] is at the forefront of making Pickleball mainstream. Within a year of its launch they introduced lifestyle content to Indian pickleball which was quickly aped by existing players in the space. However, Hemant Chavan the founder of Goodland was responsible to introducing Pickleball as a mainstream sport through his appearance on Shark Tank India Season 4.<ref name="forbes" /><ref name=":3" />

== Future ==
Infrastructure development is a key driver of pickleball's growth in India, with efforts focused on increasing the availability of courts nationwide.<ref name=":7" /> The All India Pickleball Association (AIPA), for instance, has collaborated with KheloMore Sports, a sports venue booking platform, which has committed ₹5 crore to construct over 100 pickleball courts across the country. However, this is yet to bear fruition.<ref name=":7" />

In the corporate world, pickleball is emerging as an alternative to traditional leisure sports like golf, thanks to its ease of organization and inclusivity.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=2024-11-04 |title=Pickleball Evolution: Faster, Greener, Smarter Courts, Balls, and Paddles Predicted By Sarah Burr {{!}} EXCLUSIVE |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/pickleball/pickleball-evolution-faster-greener-smarter-courts-balls-and-paddles-predicted-by-sarah-burr-article-114941120 |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=Times Now |language=en}}</ref> High-profile endorsements such as [[Samantha Ruth Prabhu]]’s investment in the World Pickleball League (WPBL), have also further boosted the sport's visibility.<ref name=":6" /> The WPBL is set to launch in 2025 and will be India's first franchise-based pickleball league.<ref name=":8" /> The league aims to emulate the [[Indian Premier League]] (IPL) by attracting corporate franchise owners, securing media coverage and offering large-scale competitive opportunities for athletes.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hariharan |first=Sindhu |date=2024-09-10 |title=Easy to play Pickleball is paddling its way through India |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/sports/easy-to-play-pickleball-is-paddling-its-way-through-india/article68626492.ece |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=BusinessLine |language=en}}</ref>

In April 2024, the [[United Pickleball Association]] announced a partnership with Global Sports to bring the [[PPA Tour]] and Major League Pickleball (MLP) to India, marking the first international expansion for the association.<ref name=":9" /> MLP, the team-based league, plans to host competitions in India, integrating Indian players alongside MLP and PPA Tour professionals.<ref name=":9" /> The association aims to establish a full 12-team MLP season by 2025–26, which is expected to elevate pickleball's profile in India, offering players a pathway to international competition. This has not sufficed and apparently fallen through.<ref name=":9" />

Financial constraints remain a challenge, but AIPA President Arvind Prabhoo envisions pickleball becoming a mainstream sport in India, citing the domestic popularity of other racket sports like tennis and badminton as evidence of its viability.<ref name=":0" /> He states the ultimate goal is to secure pickleball's inclusion in the Olympic Games.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=The Ultimate Aim Is To Take Pickleball To The Olympics: Arvind Prabhoo |url=https://www.forbesindia.com/article/lifes/the-ultimate-aim-is-to-take-pickleball-to-the-olympics-arvind-prabhoo/86847/1 |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=Forbes India |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Pickleball box}}
{{Sport in India}}

[[Category:Pickleball in India| ]]
[[Category:Sport in India by sport]]

Pickleball in India - Revision history

PattyFreytag2: adding new details