What’s the Score?
The Chennai Super Champs have solidified their status as the team to beat in the World Pickleball League (WPBL) 2026, extending their unbeaten streak with a gritty 3-2 victory over the Rajasthan Titans. Meanwhile, Dilli Dillwale capitalised on individual brilliance to secure a crucial win over the Bengaluru Jawans, reshaping the league standings as the race for the playoffs heats up.
Hit it deeper!
In the marquee matchup at the Jio World Garden, Chennai Super Champs stormed out of the gates with overwhelming force. They secured the first three matches of the tie to build an unassailable 3-0 lead. Rika Fujiwara set the tone with a crushing 24-11 win in women’s singles. The momentum continued as Ly Hoang Nam, the former Wimbledon boys’ doubles champion, partnered with Carlota Trevino to take the mixed doubles 14-9. Nam then returned to the court to defeat Jack Foster 13-9 in men’s singles, a performance that earned him “Player of the Tie” honours and the top spot on the “Band of Honour” leaderboard. Although Rajasthan rallied late to win the women’s and men’s doubles matches, the contest was effectively over before they stepped on the court.
In the other fixture, Dilli Dillwale showcased their depth against Bengaluru. Despite Bengaluru’s Katerina Stewart putting up a heroic 74 points—the highest of any female player in the tie—her team fell short. Dilli Dillwale executed a balanced attack, winning the men’s singles (Vinh Hien Truong), men’s doubles, and mixed doubles to secure the victory. The win vaults Dilli Dillwale into second place with 24 points, though they still trail the dominant Chennai squad, who sit comfortably at the summit with 33 points and a flawless record.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The WPBL is quickly proving that a balanced roster beats individual stardom. While Katerina Stewart’s individual scoring for Bengaluru was phenomenal, it wasn’t enough to stop the collective machine of Dilli Dillwale. Conversely, Chennai Super Champs have found the perfect formula in Ly Hoang Nam, who is dominating both singles and doubles. With Chennai sitting on 33 points and their nearest rival nine points back, the rest of the league is running out of time to find a weakness in the Super Champs’ armour. The upcoming fixture between Mumbai Pickle Power and Bengaluru will be desperate for both sides as they try to keep the leaders in sight.
