A good racket: How India is courting Pickleball, 'game of the people'

Rihanna Anand, a homemaker who lives in New Delhi, calls Pickleball her '3F formula for fitness, friends, and fun.' The quirky lovechild of tennis, badminton and table tennis is the fastest-growing sport in India.
At gated societies and corporate campuses to schools and weekend turf courts, the game is sweeping the country. 'I'm no athlete but I can smash it on court. Every morning at 8 sharp, you'll find me and my Vasant Vihar gang swinging paddles and laughing our way through doubles,' says Anand, 35, referring to a tony neighbourhood in South Delhi.
Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island in Washington state, United States (US), as a backyard game for families. It's played on a badminton-like court with a 34-inch net over which players smack a perforated plastic ball with paddles. The rules are easy, the rallies fast and injuries rare.
'It's the perfect mix of fitness, fun, and inclusivity. Pickleball isn't just for the young or the athletic but it's for everyone,' says Gaurav Khanna, India's head coach for para badminton. He is putting up Pickleball courts at his upcoming coaching institute in Lucknow. 'Pickleball's compact court —similar in size to badminton — makes it incredibly easy to set up almost anywhere. It's simple to learn, gentle on the joints and appeals to all age groups, which is why it's catching on so quickly.
'The sport sharpens reflexes, boosts coordination and enhances overall fitness without overwhelming the body. It's a fun, low-barrier way to keep people active and engaged.'
Niche to nationwide
India's love affair with Pickleball has been sudden and staggering. There are more than 500,000 active players, at least 1,000 courts and weekly tournaments in multiple cities. Mumbai, Pune, Delhi and Bengaluru have become hotspots where housing societies repurpose badminton courts and startups offer 'pay-and-play' models.
Sunil Valavalkar, the founder of the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA), says the sport is 'catching fire' because it's democratic and is not elitist. 'It's a game of the people.'
Valavalkar, who brought the sport to India in 2008, believes Pickleball can change how Indians regard sport. 'A survey revealed that only 10 out of 100 Indians actively engage in sports or physical activities, compared to 60 per 100 citizens in the US and Europe. The gender disparity is concerning, with only one woman participating out of those 10 active individuals. Pickleball can change this narrative.
'Unlike traditional sports that are costly, space-intensive, and injury-prone, Pickleball is adaptable, non-tech, and gentle on the body. It's a social sport that welcomes everyone, fostering community bonds and providing comprehensive fitness.'
Businessman Siddhant Jatia founded Picklebay, a startup that organises Pickleball training and matches for companies and communities. 'There was interest in the sport but no infrastructure, passion but no process,' he says.
Jatia says he recognised it's a sport with mass appeal, low-entry barriers and the scope to build communities. The 'rare convergence' needed structure and strategy for growth. 'We're laying the foundation for India's Pickleball movement — not just with tournaments, but with a tech-first, ecosystem-driven approach that brings together infrastructure, training, and community in one platform,' says Jatia.
Picklebay is in talks with real estate developers, hospitality companies and schools to put up courts for 'entire neighbourhoods'. 'We don't stop at the physical — we're also building the operational layer: coaching programmes for corporates, tournament formats and tech systems that make these assets truly come alive.'
Picklebay's Corporate Masterclasses are designed as 'immersive, team-building experiences' that blend sport with leadership and collaboration. 'Our ambition is to help India move from having a few courts to being a Pickleball nation where the sport becomes a meaningful part of how people live, connect, and stay active,' says Jatia, who lives in Kolkata.
Separately, World Pickleball League (WPBL) has added celebrity sheen to the sport. Gaurav Natekar, former India top-ranked tennis player, founded the league that's backed by actor-couple Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh. It will start city franchises like Pune United this year as 'a cultural moment in Indian sport', says Natekar.
With funding from startups, brand partnerships and grassroots training, the sport has commercial potential. According to its fans, India could have 1 million players and 3,000 courts by 2028. ITC's Bingo!, Selkirk Sport and Franklin Balls are jumping into the fray. Kavita Chaturvedi, chief operating officer for snacks business at ITC Foods, says: 'Our association with AIPA stems from a shared vision to nurture emerging sports and empower young talent across India. Through this partnership, we aim to build a strong foundation for Pickleball by investing in grassroots programmes, organizing college tournaments across 23 states, and driving national-level engagement.'
Pickleball's appeal
It's ideal for older adults, beginners, or those recovering from injury
The doubles format makes it inherently social
Fast rallies enhance reflexes and cognitive function
Companies are using it for employee engagement
'Pickleball allows women and men to play together as equals — something we need more of,' says Valavalkar.
There are challenges: Confusion over governing bodies, the risk of over-commercialisation and infrastructural lag.
To get started, players need a few essentials. Paddles cost Rs 1,000 for beginner models to over Rs 35,000 for premium brands like JOOLA and Selkirk. Balls cost Rs 200-1,500 per set, depending on indoor or outdoor use. Nets are priced between Rs 5,000 and Rs 25,000. Court shoes of brands like Asics or Yonex fall in the Rs 3,000-10,000 range. Accessories such as bags, grips, and training aids can add Rs 200 to Rs 50,000 to your gear kit bill. Expect to spend Rs 9,000 to Rs 75,000, depending on equipment quality.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

News18

2 hours ago

• News18

Woman Leaves ‘Average' Life In US For Something ‘Extraordinary' In India

Last Updated: 'I've met some fantastic people, visited some incredible locations, eaten some delicious food and had my heart permanently transformed," the woman said. Today, many Indians, especially the younger generation, aspire to move abroad in search of better economic opportunities and an improved quality of life. Amid this trend, an American woman has captured attention on social media for making a life-altering choice in the opposite direction. Kristen Fischer, along with her husband Tim and their three daughters, relocated to India in 2021, leaving behind what she described as an 'average but pleasant" life in the US. Four years on, she says she has no regrets but gratitude. In a video shared on Instagram, Fischer offered a reflection on the life-changing decision. 'What would you choose? I realised I had control over the course of my life. I could choose to live an ordinary life in the United States or to do something bold and extraordinary." She documented their time in India through a collage video displaying their cultural discoveries, street food explorations, small-town happiness, Indian weddings, festivals and much more. 'We moved our family to India 4 years ago and haven't regretted it a bit," she added. Further sharing her review of living in India for the past 4 years, she mentioned, 'In the last four years, I've met some fantastic people, visited some incredible locations, eaten some delicious food, and had my heart permanently transformed. India has changed my life forever, and I'll never be the same. You only have one life; how will you live it?" The video resonated with the viewers, prompting many to share their reactions. An Instagram user commented, 'I'm jealous, seriously." Another one wrote, 'This is so cute." One of them commented, 'I'm Indian and my husband is American. We are in the process of moving to India very soon. I can't wait to be there." 'You have a blessed life! Glad you're enjoying," a comment read. Their decision to relocate to India wasn't just driven by emotion; it also made financial sense. In another video, Kristen Fischer opened up about their work life, revealing that she and her husband run a web development business that primarily serves Western clients. Kristen Fischer and her husband run a web development company that primarily caters to Western clients and earns in US dollars. Since they live in India, where the cost of living is significantly lower than in the United States, they are able to spend their dollar income in Indian rupees.

Time of India

4 hours ago

• Time of India

‘Average life in USA or extraordinary in India?': American mom's bold move sparks emotional reaction among NRIs

Netizens react What if the so-called ' American Dream ' just isn't your dream anymore? What if routine comforts and clean suburbs start to feel dull, even lifeless? For Kristen Fischer , the idea of an average life in the U.S. no longer sparked joy. So she did what most only dare to fantasise about—she packed up her life, uprooted her family, and moved across the world to start over. In India.A now-viral video shared by Kristen on Instagram poses a powerful question: 'Live in India or America?' The video offers two options: 'Live an average life in America' or 'Live an extraordinary life in India .' Without hesitation, she picks the latter. And then, she shows us reel flows like a cinematic postcard from her life in India: Kristen draped in a saree, sipping chai, zooming through narrow streets on a scooty, giggling with her children on a sunlit beach, petting stray dogs, playing Holi, boarding a metro, enjoying street food, riding in an autorickshaw, and even admiring an elephant. Her daughter is seen cycling freely on the streets—a quiet yet profound symbol of freedom. It's a whirlwind of culture, chaos, colour, and her caption, Kristen reflects on a pivotal decision—choosing between a predictable life in the U.S. and an adventurous, fulfilling one in India. She explains how four years ago, she and her family made the bold move to India, and how that single choice transformed her life in ways she never imagined. The experience, she says, has reshaped her heart and perspective forever. To her, life is too short not to live it fully, and India gave her the freedom to do just post sparked a wave of emotional reactions online, especially from NRIs and Indians living abroad . One woman shared how she and her Indian husband currently split their time between Italy and India, but hope to settle in India for a simpler, more grounded life. Another, living in Europe , expressed how much she misses the essence of India and felt joy seeing foreigners embrace it so warmly. Some even felt that Kristen's story could influence other NRIs to reconsider their choices, seeing her journey as a powerful reminder of the value in reconnecting with Indian roots.

Time of India

11 hours ago

• Time of India

City's Kamal brings adept break-building skills to the snooker table at Asian c'ship

Bhopal: The Asian 6-Red Snooker Championship witnessed an impressive start as Bhopal's Kamal Chawla showcased his expertise at the international level. Bhopal's Kamal Chawla, the reigning IBSF World 6-Red snooker champion, was the most impressive of the three Indians in the fray, scoring a lopsided 4-1 win over Wai Ip Lam of Macao, China, in Group 'C'. Playing at the championship venue in Colombo, Chawla's strategic approach and precise shots dominated the match from the beginning. In the opening frame, Chawla established his authority with calculated moves, securing a 42-5 win. His confidence grew notably in the second frame, where he executed a brilliant 66 clearance, leaving his opponent scoreless. The third frame further demonstrated Chawla's superior form with a spectacular 67 clearance. Though the fourth frame presented a brief challenge when Lam capitalised on Chawla's missed long red pot to score a break of 40, it proved to be a temporary setback. Chawla regained his rhythm in the final frame, securing a convincing 49-7 victory to wrap up the match. This victory holds particular significance as Chawla, the current IBSF World 6-Red snooker champion, aims to add the Asian title to his impressive portfolio. The match highlighted Chawla's exceptional break-building abilities and tactical acumen, skills that have earned him recognition in the international snooker circuit. His experience and composure were evident throughout the game, particularly in how he bounced back after the fourth frame setback. The championship continues to feature top players from across Asia, with Chawla's victory marking a strong start for India's campaign in the tournament.