IPBL: Chennai Stay Unbeaten, Gurgaon Seal Last-Second Thriller, Lucknow Fight Back for Draw on a Blockbuster Day 2

New Delhi, Dec 2: Day 2 of the Indian Pickleball League delivered everything the growing sport promised-momentum swings, furious rallies, emotional finishes, and three ties that kept fans at the edge of their

seats on Tuesday (December 2).

Chennai Super Warriors stretched their unbeaten streak with a powerful 4-2 victory over Hyderabad Royals, Capital Warriors Gurgaon claimed their maiden win of the season in a nail-biting Grand Rally finish against Bengaluru Blasters, and Lucknow. Leopards mounted a spirited comeback to hold Mumbai Smashers 3-3.

Organised by The Times Group and recognised as India's only official pickleball league sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, the evening carried an extra spark with the presence of film stars Sonam Bajwa and Nitanshi Goel, who added glamour to the already charged atmosphere.

The opening tie of the night saw both Hyderabad Royals and Chennai Super Warriors walk in unbeaten, and the intensity was immediate. Divyanshu Kataria and Mitch Hargreaves delivered a riveting start to the contest-Kataria leading 14-11 before Hargreaves staged a dramatic turnaround to clinch it 15-14.

Riding that surge, Chennai grabbed the men's doubles as Hargreaves and Harsh Mehta edged Kataria and Ben Newell 15-13 after a series of rapid-fire kitchen exchanges. Roos van Reek then stamped her class in the women's singles with a commanding 15-7 win over Megan Fudge, before teaming with Aaliya Ebrahim to secure the women's doubles 15-11.

Hyderabad managed to grab the Grand Rally 21-16, maintaining control throughout, but Chennai's early dominance ensured their second straight win of the season. Van Reek (Chennai) and Kataria (Hyderabad) were named Players of the Tie.

The Lucknow Leopards-Mumbai Smashers clash unfolded as one of the most dramatic encounters of the season so far. DUPR World No. 3 Quang Duong gave Mumbai a strong start with a confident 15-8 win over Aditya Ruhela. But Lucknow struck back in the men's doubles, where Ryler DeHeart and Himansh Mehta pulled off a tight 15-13 victory.

The women's singles brought a razor-thin thriller as Allison Harris edged Shelby Bates on a golden point, before the women's doubles delivered a special moment-sisters Pearl and Naomi Amalsadiwala on opposing sides. Pearl and Harris secured the win, giving Mumbai a 3-1 lead.

But Lucknow refused to go down quietly. In a powerful final burst, they overpowered Mumbai 21-15 in the Grand Rally, completing a determined comeback to earn a 3-3 draw. Duong and Harris claimed Player of the Tie honours for Mumbai.

The final tie of the night was saved for pure drama. Bengaluru Blasters and Capital Warriors Gurgaon battled through a gripping 4-2 contest that swung wildly until the very last point. Bengaluru shot out to a 2-0 lead as Phuc Huynh dominated Jack Munro 15-3 and then partnered Arjun Singh for a 15-11 victory in the men's doubles.

Gurgaon rallied back with Emilia Schmidt taking the women's singles, followed by Schmidt and Naimi Mehta levelling the tie in the women's doubles. That set up a Grand Rally for the ages-tight, breathless, and decided only at golden point. With the tie hanging by a thread, Stavya Bhasin produced a clutch backhand winner to seal a sensational 21-20 win, delivering Gurgaon their first victory of the season. Huynh and Schmidt earned the Players of the Tie awards.

Looking ahead to Gameday 3, Bengaluru Blasters will open against Mumbai Smashers, followed by Capital Warriors Gurgaon clashing with table-toppers Chennai Super Warriors. The night will conclude with Lucknow Leopards taking on Hyderabad Royals in what promises to be another high-intensity showdown.