The Enfield Arena was filled with excitement as the Tusker Titans won a thrilling match against the Raging Rhinos in the first Pune Pickleball League Championship!
The final was full of action, with intense rallies, great plays, and amazing comebacks that kept everyone on the edge of their seats.
Conducted on 29-30 March, the Pune Pickleball League was the first ever IPL-styled league of Pune with 10 teams and 80 players. Organised in collaboration by Pickle Haus (founded by Yash Mundada and Bhavya Mehta) and SBA (founded by Sudhanshu Medsiker), this league had the highest female participation for a Pickleball Tournament in Pune. Pickle Haus is the biggest community of pickleball players in Pune.
The match ended with a close tie-breaker, where the Tusker Titans pair, Captain Hanmant Dhotre and Nipun Khurana, showed great skill and determination to win. When they scored the final point, the crowd cheered loudly.
"This win means everything to us," said Captain Hanmant. "The competition was tough, and we’re incredibly proud to come out on top," he added.
The tournament featured the top 10 teams, including the Blazing Cheetahs, Golden Eagles, Smashing Sharks, Wild Wolves, and Lob Lions, with 80 talented players showcasing their skills. Despite strong performances from all teams, the Tusker Titans proved to be the best throughout the tournament.
Hanmant Dhotre, Nipun Khurana, Priyanka Surtani, Aashna, Himanshu, Harjas, Sagar Diwan, and Dhruv were all part of the victorious squad. Every player played an important role, and the audience was amazed by their performances and some incredible comebacks.
During the group stage, the Tusker Titans dominated Pool A, with the star pair Hanmant and Nipun remaining unbeaten. The fourth pair, Priyanka Surtani and Harjas, also played exceptionally well, making it easier for the team to reach the finals. Their championship success was built on key comebacks from the second pair, Aashna and Himanshu, and the third pair, Sagar and Dhruv.
Besides showcasing top-level pickleball, the competition showed the growing popularity of the sport in India and the spirit of sportsmanship. The first edition was a huge success with thrilling matches and record-breaking attendance.
As the Tusker Titans lifted the championship trophy, fans cheered in celebration. With such an amazing start, the Pune Pickleball League Championship has become a major sporting event, and everyone is eagerly waiting for next year’s competition!
