Newspatrolling.com News cum Content Syndication Portal Online
Mumbai, 23rd January 2025: The World Pickleball League, India’s first franchise–based pickleball league, is set to kick off its inaugural season on 24th January at Mumbai’s iconic Brabourne Stadium in the Cricket Club of India. League co-founders Gaurav Natekar and Arati Ponnappa Natekar unveiled the coaches of all six franchises.
Each team will play a total of five ties in the group stage, with the top four teams advancing to the semi-finals. This gives fans the opportunity to witness a total of 90 matches during the entire duration of the league. The opening tie will be played between Mumbai Pickle Power and Pune United, followed by Bengaluru Jawans taking on Chennai Super Champs, making for an exciting opening day. The final will be played on 2nd February, ensuring non-stop thrilling pickleball action for fans over a period of 10 days.
Staying true to its promise of ‘sportainment’ for the fans, WPBL will showcase live performances from some of India’s finest artists. Additionally, fans who want to watch the matches live will be able to purchase tickets exclusively on the Swiggy Scenes platform. All matches will also be telecast on the Sony Sports Network (television) as well as the FanCode app (OTT).
Sam Basford, Coach- Mumbai Pickle Power Said, “Fans can expect high-level pickleball with a massive entertainment factor. The World Pickleball League will showcase incredible players from around the globe, including some exciting up-and-comers. We’re building a strong team in Mumbai Pickle Power and are eager to see their passion shine. This league is a game-changer for pickleball, elevating the sport globally and inspiring players to reach new heights.”
Joey Farias, Coach- Chennai Super Champs said, “The passion of the Indian people for this league is incredible. From the jersey launch in Chennai to the constant excitement, it’s clear this is going to be huge for pickleball globally. We have an amazing team, including our Indian star Sonu who’s been a revelation. We’re ready to bring the energy and connect with the fans. This league will be a game-changer for pickleball, potentially even paving the way for its inclusion in the Olympics.”
Rosti Sobek, Coach- Pune United said, “The WBPL provides a fantastic platform for players to showcase their talent and grow the sport globally. For India, with its huge population and passion for sports like badminton, pickleball has immense potential. The accessibility of the game makes it appealing to all ages, and we believe it will thrive here. We’re excited to lead the way with our team, especially William Sobek, who will be a key player for us.”
Coco Lococo, Coach- Dilli Dilwale said, “The World Pickleball League is a groundbreaking event for the sport. We’re honored to represent Delhi and bring heart, soul, and fun to the court. Our team has a diverse range of skills, and we’re excited to showcase them. This league will undoubtedly boost pickleball‘s popularity in India, making it more accessible to everyone.”
Oliver Strecker, Coach- Bengaluru Jawans said, “The league has done a fantastic job, and we’re excited to put on a great show for the fans. We have an incredibly strong team with top players like Kat Stewart, Jack Foster, and Marcello Jardim. This league demonstrates the global growth of pickleball, showcasing its appeal to players of all levels. We’re thrilled to be a part of this exciting moment for the sport.”
Jonny Andrews, Coach- Hyderabad Superstars said, “Hyderabad Superstars will play with the city’s intensity – we’re here to work hard and get the job done. Look out for players like Max Freeman, Ross Whittaker, and Ava Cavataio. This league is a monumental step for international pickleball growth. After witnessing the sport’s rise in the US, I believe this is a pivotal moment that will significantly advance the game.”
Excited ahead of the official launch of the league, Gaurav Natekar, Co-Founder and CEO, World Pickleball League, added, “As we unveil the World Pickleball League, we are introducing India to a new era of sports entertainment—one that blends fast-paced action with unparalleled fan engagement. Pickleball is more than just a sport; it’s a movement that’s uniting people across ages and backgrounds. Through this league, we aim to make pickleball not only India’s hottest new sporting spectacle but also a platform that inspires, excites, and brings communities together.”
Know The Teams:
- Mumbai Pickle Power | Team Owners: Swiggy, Rishabh Pant
- Bengaluru Jawans | Team Owners: Priya Atlee and Atlee
- Chennai Super Champs | Team Owners: Actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu
- Pune United | Team Owners: Sudhir and Sunanda Mehta from EKA Mobility and Pinnacle Industries, Ajeenkya and Pooja Patil from Ajeenkya DY Patil University, Bollywood superstars Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh
- Hyderabad Superstars | Team Owners: KLO Sports
- Dilli Dilwale | Team Owners: Ashok Amritraj, Founder of Hyde Park Entertainment, Ankiti Bose and Krishan Rattan, Founding Partners at Terra Invest and Sunil Gavaskar
Team-wise Squad:
| Sr. No | Delhi Dillwale | Pune United | Mumbai Pickle Power | Bengaluru Jawans | Chennai Super Champs | Hyderabad Superstars |
| 1 | Alexa Schull | William Sobek | Brandon Lane | Jack Foster | Anna Clarice Patrimonio | Max Freeman |
| 2 | Isha Lakhani | Molly Knaggs | Glauka Carvahal Lane | Katerina Stewart | Etienne Blaszkewycz | Ava Cavataio |
| 3 | Eduardo Irizarry | Vanshik Kapadia | Mayur Patil | Vrushali Thakare | Sonu Vishwakarma | Kuldip Mahajan |
| 4 | Willy Chung | Brooke Revuelta | Sabrina Dominguez | Trang Hyunh McClain | Tanner Tomassi | Ross Whittaker |
| 5 | Lauren Mercado | Louis Laville | Mihae Kwon | Marcelo Jardim | Thaddea Lock | Madalina Grigoriu |
| 6 | Leander Lazaro | Molly O’Donoghue | Kim Eung Gwon | Alejandra Bobaria | Edward Perez | Karolina Owczarek |
| 7 | Kenta Miyoshi | Mateusz Matysik | Bartosz Karbownik | Felix Grunert | Tyra Calderwood | Ben Cawston |
| 8 | Aiko Yoshitomi | Rocio Cardo | Katie Morris | Mauro Garcia | Sarah Jane Lim | Ludovica Sciaky |
