World No. 3 Quang Duong of Vietnam and USA’s Megan Fudge were the most sought after male and female foreign players and were snapped up by Mumbai Smashers and Hyderabad Royals respectively while Lucknow Leopards went for top India male superstar Aditya Ruhela in the Players’ Draft for the inaugural edition of the Indian Pickleball League on Saturday.
The inaugural Indian Pickleball League, launched by The Times Group and recognised as the country’s only national league sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS), will be played from December 1 to 7 at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall, Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi.
The Players’ Draft saw 53 athletes go under the hammer, with 36 top names selected across three competitive pools, the Super Stars Pro International group, the Super Stars Pro Indian group, and the Rising Stars category, which showcased more than twenty of the country’s most exciting emerging talents.
Vineet Jain, Managing Director, The Times Group, wished all teams the very best, saying, “Today’s Draft is a very special moment for the Indian Pickleball League. I am really excited how each one of you are going to shape the league going forward. Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the world as well as in India. And with your passion and dedication, I am sure we will make Pickleball the biggest sport after cricket.”
At the Players’ Draft, Mumbai Smashers, backed by Nazara Technologies, were quick to pick USA-based Duong as their first pick. The Smashers enter their debut season with a sharp, digital-first outlook, building a squad that mirrors the city’s trademark speed, accuracy and competitive spirit.
“The Mumbai Smashers have always believed in backing smart, fearless talent. Our picks reflect a balance of experience and aggression—qualities we believe will help us set the tone in Season One” said Nitish Mittersain, Owner, Mumbai Smashers.
Lucknow Leopards kicked off their IPBL 2025 auction with a strong statement, selecting American talent Ryler Deheart as their marquee pick. A former tennis professional, Deheart brings exceptional athletic ability and sharp on-court experience. They followed it up by picking USA’s Shelby Bates, known for her aggressive style and solid doubles expertise, giving the team a powerful base for the league’s debut edition. Adding to their momentum, the Leopards secured rising Indian star Mihika Yadav, who arrives after a standout run at the IPA Nationals 2025, where she captured gold in Open Women’s Singles and bronze in Open Mixed Doubles.
“We believe in fierce and bold playing style that can help us dominate the court this season. Keeping that in mind, we went for players who believe in our philosophy and we are very happy with the composition of our squad,” said MS. Shreya Agarwal, Owner, Lucknow Leopards.
The Warriors made their intentions clear from the outset as they opened the selection of Jack Munro, fast-rising American talent whose explosive power and attacking instincts position him as a central figure in their strategy for the season. Building on that momentum, the team brought in Emilia Schmidt, one of Australia’s promising emerging players. Her mix of strength, smart court management and steadily advancing finesse is expected to bring both balance and punch to the Warriors’ overall lineup.
“This auction represented more than just signings — it was about building a team driven by unshakeable grit and an unrelenting competitive spirit,” said Dr. Payal Kanodia and Mrs. Aishwarya Bansal, Owners of Capital Warriors Gurgaon. “With every pick, we’re committed to bringing a fierce, tenacious brand of pickleball to the league — one that won’t back down.”
Chennai’s intent was clear right from the opening stages of the auction. They kicked off their campaign by locking in Mitchell Hargreaves, the explosive Australian talent known for his strength, agility and reliability across formats. The team then bolstered its women’s lineup by bringing in Roos van Reek, whose energetic, fast-paced game adds real depth to the squad. Rounding out their picks, Chennai selected Harsh Mehta, Aaliya Ebrahim and Aman Patel to build a well-balanced unit for the season ahead.
“Our strategy was to create a squad with strong fundamentals and tactical maturity. We are confident this group will represent Chennai with pride and intensity,” said Dr Swetha Sundeep – Owner, Chennai Super Warriors.
Bengaluru Blasters opened their campaign in style, snapping up Phuc Huynh, the fast-rising Vietnamese-origin American pro renowned for his lightning reactions and bold, attacking play through the middle. His intensity and shot-making flair are expected to inject a vibrant edge into the Blasters’ lineup. The team further strengthened its squad by securing Pei Chuan Kao, one of Asia’s most polished and rapidly emerging talents. Known for his precision resets, smart dink patterns, quick anticipation at the kitchen and overall tactical discipline, Chuan adds a layer of technical finesse to Bengaluru’s roster.
“The auction was not a gamble for the Bengaluru Blasters; it was a calculated takeover. We secured the most undervalued assets in the league, combining disruptive athleticism with unmatched data-backed consistency. Our 'moneyball' strategy wasn't about saving money—it was about maximizing victory per rupee spent. We are here to establish a new competitive standard, and we fully intend to dominate this league from day one. Get ready for a revolution, Bengaluru,” said Vasanth Kalyan, Digital CEO, Bengaluru Blasters.
At the auction, the Hyderabad Royals made a confident start by selecting Ben Newell, an accomplished American player with strong credentials in both singles and doubles. They followed it up by bringing in Megan Fudge who plays and trains in USA and UK at the earliest opportunity, further strengthening the balance and depth of their squad.
“Hyderabad has a proud legacy of racquet sports, and our team reflects that tradition. We’ve chosen players who can adapt quickly and deliver under pressure,” said Aditthya Ramakrishnan - President, Hyderabad Royals.
Designed to be fast-paced and television-ready, the league is set to deliver a week of high-intensity round-robin contests and knockout showdowns culminating in a blockbuster finale. promises buzzing arenas, energetic matchups and a community-driven atmosphere that makes pickleball feel modern, accessible and culturally in sync with today’s audience.
Pickleball is currently the fastest growing sport with over 5 million players globally and participation expected to touch one million in India itself by 2028.
Competing for top honours, the six franchises, Mumbai Smashers, Hyderabad Royals, Chennai Super Warriors, Capital Warriors Gurgaon, Bengaluru Blasters and Lucknow Leopards — are all set to eye the inaugural title, each bringing its own identity, style and competitive edge to the court.
TEAMS:
Mumbai Smashers: Quang Duong (Superstar Male International), Allison Harris (Superstar Female International), Ammol Ramchandani (Superstar Male Indian), Pearl Amalsadiwala (Superstar Female Indian), Rishi Reddy (Rising Star Male), Sindoor Mittal (Rising Star Female)
Lucknow Leopards: Aditya Ruhela (Superstar Male Indian), Ronav Motiani (Rising Star Male), Ryler DeHeart (Superstar Male International), Shelby Bates (Superstar Female International), Mihika Yadav (Superstar Female Indian), Naomi Amalsadiwala (Rising Star Female)
Hyderabad Royals: Ben Newell (Superstar Male International), Megan Fudge (Superstar Female International), Divyanshu Kataria (Superstar Male Indian), Snehal Patil (Superstar Female Indian), Tejas Gulati (Rising Star Male), Shreya Chakraborty (Rising Star Female)
Chennai Super Warriors: Mitchell Hargreaves (Superstar Male International), Roos Van Reek (Superstar Female International), Harsh Mehta (Superstar Male Indian), Aaliya Ebrahim (Superstar Female Indian), Aman Patel (Rising Star Male), Priyanka Mehta (Rising Star Female)
Capital Warriors Gurgaon: Jack Munro (Superstar Male International), Emilia Schmidt (Superstar Female International), Stavya Bhasin (Superstar Male Indian), Naimi Mehta (Superstar Female Indian), Arik Badami (Rising Star Male), Danielle Jones (Rising Star Female)
Bengaluru Blasters: Phuc Huynh (Superstar Male International), Pei Chuan Kao (Superstar Female International), Arjun Singh (Superstar Male Indian), Rakshikha Ravi (Superstar Female Indian), Aditya Singh (Rising Star Male), Shraddha Damani (Rising Star Female).
