The short answer: Arjun Singh was the standout player at the Picklebay Zonals – West, a PWR 700 event held over five days at Dink in Hinjewadi, Pune. He won a hat-trick of titles, completed by a three-game Pro Men’s Doubles final win with his brother Aditya over the experienced pairing of Ammol Ramchandani and Stavya Bhasin.
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The Picklebay Zonals – West concluded in Pune this week, bringing the curtain down on a highly competitive five-day showcase of India’s rapidly expanding professional pickleball talent. Held at Dink in Hinjewadi, the PWR 700 tournament delivered intense action and dramatic finals across multiple divisions. Yet, amidst a crowded field of the region’s elite competitors, the overriding narrative of the event belonged to one player: Arjun Singh. Demonstrating remarkable stamina and technical proficiency, Arjun secured an outstanding hat-trick of titles, a feat culminated by a thrilling Pro Men’s Doubles victory alongside his brother, Aditya.
The Pro Men’s Doubles final provided a fitting and dramatic climax to the tournament. The Singh brothers faced a formidable challenge from the experienced pairing of Ammol Ramchandani and Stavya Bhasin, resulting in a gruelling three-game battle that tested the endurance of all four athletes. Aditya and Arjun started the match with clear intent, controlling the early pace and dictating the kitchen exchanges to take the opening game 11-4.
However, Ramchandani and Bhasin quickly adjusted their tactical approach. The second game developed into a nail-biting, point-for-point contest. The momentum shifted constantly before Ramchandani and Bhasin edged it 11-10, forcing the championship into a deciding third game. Under immense pressure, the Singh brothers managed to reset and hold their nerve. They combined effectively, minimising unforced errors during the crucial final exchanges to seal an 11-8 victory and claim the coveted title.
For Arjun, the doubles triumph was the final piece of an extraordinary campaign. Earlier in the week, he had already proven his individual brilliance by capturing the Pro Men’s Singles crown. He subsequently partnered with Naomi Amalsadiwala to secure the Mixed Doubles trophy. Sweeping all three premier disciplines highlights his exceptional versatility and firmly cements his status as a leading figure on the domestic circuit.
Beyond the Singh brothers’ success, the tournament produced several other standout performances that illustrate the growing depth of the Indian game. In the Open Women’s Doubles, Isha Lakhani and Naimi Mehta delivered a masterclass in controlled, aggressive pickleball. The duo dominated their final against Shreya Chakraborty and Rakshikha Ravi, commanding the court to win 11-4, 11-4.
Lakhani and Mehta’s path to the gold medal was paved with consistent, high-quality performances. They reached the final via a comfortable straight-games victory over Naomi and Snehal Patil in the semi-finals, winning 11-8, 11-7. Conversely, their opponents in the final had endured a far more exhausting route. Chakraborty and Ravi were forced to stage a significant comeback in their own semi-final clash against Asmi Sapra and Khushi Sachdeva. After dropping the opening game 11-5, Chakraborty and Ravi rebounded emphatically to take the next two games 11-6, 11-1.
In other notable results, Raaquib Merchant and Priyanka Mehta put together a commanding run to win the Advanced Mixed Doubles final, defeating Ratnam Shah and Khushi Desai with a decisive 15-4 scoreline. Meanwhile, Ammol Ramchandani ensured he did not leave Pune empty-handed following his narrow defeat in the Pro Men’s Doubles. Partnering with Rohan Gajjar, Ramchandani relied on immense tactical experience to win the Open 35+ Split Age Men’s Doubles title, overcoming Aman Patel and Ravi Ranjan 15-10.
The standard of play witnessed throughout the week in Pune serves as a strong indicator of how quickly competitive pickleball is maturing in India. The physical demands of the national circuit are increasing, evidenced by the gruelling nature of the finals and the stamina required to secure multiple titles. Players are visibly adopting more sophisticated setups, moving away from simple baseline attrition and embracing complex doubles strategies. The Singh brothers, in particular, demonstrated how vital established partnership chemistry has become at the top level.
With the Picklebay Zonals – West drawing to a close, the results carry significant implications for the national standings. As a tournament sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association, the event directly impacts the Pickleball World Ranking (PWR) system. This national framework is crucial, as it forms the basis for team selections at state and national levels.
Furthermore, with the IPA affiliated with both the Asian Pickleball Association and the Global Pickleball Federation, performances at these sanctioned events are the foundation for international pathways. For Arjun Singh, a hat-trick of titles will yield a massive rankings boost, establishing him as the man to beat. The broader takeaway, however, is the undeniable momentum behind the Indian professional circuit, which continues to produce compelling narratives and highly capable athletes ready to make their mark on the global stage.
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Further reading
- Latest global pickleball news
- Global pickleball tournament calendar and results
- World rankings and player profiles
- Pickleball growth across Asia
- Global development of pickleball
External reference:
- Indian Pickleball Association
