What’s the Score?
The Indian Pickleball League (IPBL) is set to launch its inaugural season, establishing India’s first and only national pickleball league. Created by The Times Group and sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the league will run from December 1–7, 2025, at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall in New Delhi. Five major city franchises have been unveiled: the Gurgaon Capital Warriors, Mumbai Smashers, Bengaluru Blasters, Chennai Super Warriors, and Hyderabad Royals. With strong corporate ownership and a centralised venue, the IPBL aims to position Delhi at the heart of India’s fast-rising pickleball movement.
Hit it deeper!
The IPBL combines top Indian and international players in a city-based, franchise format built for television and digital audiences. Its Chennai unveiling event reflected the scale of the project, featuring Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Thiru Udhayanidhi Stalin and actors Sreeleela and Kayadu Lohar. Vineet Jain, Managing Director of The Times Group, noted that the league’s franchises represent the ambition needed to make pickleball a permanent part of India’s sporting landscape.
Each inaugural team brings significant corporate support and a clear organisational identity.
Bengaluru Blasters
Owned by LA HUDDLE LLP (Sport-O-Fit) and Empatio Cloud Pvt. Ltd., the Blasters are led by CEO Vasanth Kalyan, who specialises in AI-driven performance systems. His model blends sports-tech wear, data science, and predictive analytics to build a modern talent pipeline. Kalyan believes Bengaluru’s fast, expressive sporting culture makes pickleball a natural fit for the city.
Hyderabad Royals
Powered by Operam Ventures, led by G. R. K. Chaitanya and Anubhav Tyagi. Operam’s background in technology, education, and esports shapes the franchise’s athlete-first philosophy. Tyagi described their aim as empowering athletes, inspiring communities, and leveraging Hyderabad’s reputation as a tech-driven, high-energy city.
Chennai Super Warriors
Owned by Accord Distillers and Brewers of the Accord Group. Represented by Dr. Swetha Sundeep, the Super Warriors draw on Chennai’s long tradition of competitive sport. She noted that pickleball adds a new layer to the city’s growing sporting culture and that the franchise is proud to represent Tamil Nadu in the IPBL’s debut season.
Gurgaon Capital Warriors
Owned by M3M Gurugram. Director Pankaj Bansal said the franchise marks a landmark moment as the city’s first representation in a national sports league, reflecting Gurugram’s expanding interest in emerging sports.
Mumbai Smashers
Owned by Nazara Mumbai / Absolute Sports. CEO Nitish Mittersain highlighted Mumbai’s appetite for fast, skill-based sport and called pickleball a natural extension of the city’s competitive character.
A sixth team is expected to be announced soon. Indian standout Mihika Yadav added to the momentum, saying the IPBL will give younger players the platform they need to compete with confidence and showcase the “fearlessness” of India’s rising talent.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The IPBL’s launch marks a decisive step in the professionalisation of pickleball in India. With direct government sanctioning, major corporate investment, and an event structure designed to build city rivalries, the league delivers the foundation needed for long-term growth. The inclusion of advanced performance technology, particularly in Bengaluru’s franchise model, signals that India intends not only to expand the sport but to innovate within it. By offering a national competitive stage backed by credible governance and strong franchise leadership, the IPBL is set to accelerate India’s rise as a major force in global pickleball.
