New Delhi, Dec 8: The inaugural edition of the Indian Pickleball League (IPBL) drew to a glittering close on Sunday (December 7), marking the end of a groundbreaking first season that redefined the trajectory of pickleball in India.
At the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall in the national capital, the Mumbai Smashers completed one of the most remarkable turnarounds in franchise sports, rising from sixth place in the league stage to being crowned the first-ever IPBL champions.
Their 5-1 demolition of Hyderabad Royals in the Grand Finale was a statement of resilience, strategy and collective self-belief. Led by Vietnam's DUPR star Quang Duong, who was later named Male MVP and Best Men's Singles Player, Mumbai's victory sealed an unforgettable opening chapter
for India's only official pickleball league-launched by the Times Group and sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.
A Dream Start for a New Era of Indian Pickleball
Reflecting on the conclusion of the league's maiden season, Sameer Pathak, President of the Indian Pickleball League, described the moment as a powerful milestone for a sport on the cusp of mass popularity. Speaking shortly after the final to myKhel, Pathak emphasised the emotional and cultural significance of what the league had achieved.
He called the inaugural season a turning point, saying it emerged from "something beautiful," adding context to how collective effort built an aspirational platform for India's fast-growing pickleball community.
Pathak further stated, "A success story like this has the potential to inspire and build aspiration. The two most critical things in sport are building aspiration and inspiring. I think the effort of the team has enabled that. And we believe more good things will follow. "
For Pathak, the IPBL's success has set the stage for expansion-more cities, more formats, and more participation. "More pickleball in different formats across the country," he concluded beaming with pride.
His vision reflects the league's ambition to evolve from a competition into a national movement.
The Global Perspective: India On Right Track
Adding a global lens to the league's success, GPF President Javier Regalado spoke about the sport's universal appeal beyond athletic competition. Emphasising that pickleball thrives on fun and community-building, he said, "Pickleball is not just the sport. It's also about entertainment and about having fun. Pickleball is about a big community building. "
Talking about his feedback on IPBL 2025, Regalado further said, "I believe the future of pickleball in India is huge because you are doing exactly what is needed to grow the sport i.e. connecting the business side of the game with its social power and strong community spirit. "
Looking ahead to international expansion, Regalado stressed the importance of outreach. He claimed, "Communication, communication, communication. We need to go out there and let the world know about pickleball. We need to promote it and make it available to everyone. "
Players Celebrate a Landmark Moment for the Sport
The success of IPBL 2025 was not merely organisational-it resonated deeply with players, many of whom believe the league will accelerate pickleball's rise in India.
Ammol Ramchandani said, "It's only going to grow bigger and bigger. " Speaking about his experience, Ramchandani praised the professionalism and fan engagement that defined the first season.
Calling IPBL "unreal" in terms of structure and atmosphere, the Mumbaikar - who initially played squash before picking up this sport - said, "IPBL is amazing. I think it's only going to grow bigger and bigger. The setup was unreal. Kudos to the entire team for such an amazing setup. I hope to be back next season as well. "
Explaining why he gravitated toward pickleball in the first place, Ramchandani added context on the sport's charm, "The reason was honestly the same reason everyone gets into pickleball. It's just way too much fun. It's such a social sport. You can lose 10 matches in a row and still have the most fun and come back the next day. "
His experience echoed what many athletes feel-pickleball's energy comes as much from community as from competition.
Mumbai's championship run was driven not only by Duong and Ramchandani's brilliance but by the grit and resurgence of female Indian players like Pearl Amalsadiwala, who was named Best Doubles Player (Women).
Reflecting on the team's journey from sixth to champions, Amalsadiwala said, "I am proud of my team. We were nowhere in the league stage, but the way we bounced back was inspirational. We just had one last opportunity to book a place in the final and we gave it all. "
Amalsadiwala, the 19-year-old Mumbaikar and student at Narsee Monjee (NM) College, also shared her optimism about India becoming a powerhouse in pickleball, "Pickleball is growing in leaps and bounds in India. There will be plenty of rewards in this sport in terms of fame and money. I believe in the coming years, it will be the second biggest sport in the country after cricket. "
IPBL 2025: A Beginning, Not a Conclusion
The inaugural season of the Indian Pickleball League ended not as a final chapter, but as the start of a new era. From Mumbai Smashers' heroic comeback to the league's unprecedented viewership, from school children filling the stands to international stars lighting up the court, the IPBL created a blueprint for what modern, inclusive, entertaining sports leagues can look like in India.
As Sameer Pathak said, the league has already achieved its first mission i.e. building aspiration. The next mission, scaling the movement across India!
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