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Tag: Chennai Super Champs

  • Bengaluru Jawans triumph in inaugural World Pickleball League

    Bengaluru Jawans triumph in inaugural World Pickleball League

    MUMBAI:  Bengaluru Jawans etched their names in history by defeating Pune United 3-1 to claim the championship title of the first-ever World Pickleball League (WPL), India’s pioneering franchise-based pickleball tournament. 

    Held in south Mumbai’s Cricket Club of India, it is India’s inaugural franchise-based pickleball competition, co-founded by Arjuna Awardee and former Indian tennis player Gaurav Natekar, along with former India No. 1 Arati Ponnappa Natekar.
     

    the team fans cheering the pune united in the finals

    It featured six teams: Mumbai Pickle Power, Pune United, Bengaluru Jawans, Chennai Super Champs, Hyderabad Hustlers, and Dilli Dilwale. Each team consisted of eight players, including five or six international players and one or two Indian players. The WPL also included top juniors selected by the federation to provide them with exposure to high-level competition. The league offered a prize pool of $250,000 (approximately Rs 2.1 crore), with awards distributed to the winner and runner-up teams.

     It was streamed live on FanCode and telecast live on the Sony Sports network. 

    The tournament commenced with Mumbai Pickle Power facing Pune United, followed by Bengaluru Jawans clashing with Chennai Super Champs. Each team competed in five group-stage matches, with the top four advancing to the semi-finals. In total, spectators enjoyed 90 matches over the ten-day event. 

    The intense final saw Jack Foster deliver a commanding 26-8 victory in the men’s singles, setting the stage for Bengaluru’s success. Trang Hyunh-McClain and Alejandra Borobia followed with a 13-9 win in the women’s doubles. Pune United responded with William Sobek and Vanshik Kapadia securing a 15-6 men’s doubles victory, but Katerina Stewart’s decisive 21-9 triumph over Brooke Revuelta in the women’s singles sealed Bengaluru’s championship.
     

    The women's doubles in the finals

    Stewart, named Player of the League, said, “I’m incredibly grateful and overjoyed—it’s still sinking in! These ten days of pickleball in India have been extraordinary. Winning with my team made it even more special. At 5-5 today, I had a bit of panic but reminded myself to stay calm and focus, and it paid off.”

  • Sony Sports Network secures broadcast rights for India’s first world pickleball league

    Sony Sports Network secures broadcast rights for India’s first world pickleball league

    MUMBAI: It’s lobbed the ball in the viewers’ court, with a cross court shot near the baseline.   Will Indian TV viewers manage to give an equally good return?

    Sony Sports Network will be telecasting the inaugural World Pickleball League (WPBL), set to debut on 24 January 2025. This franchise-based league aims to capitalise on the sport’s rapid growth in India, where more than 50,000 players are actively participating, and nearly 1,000 pickleball courts have emerged nationwide.

    Conceptualised by former tennis star Gaurav Natekar and ex-India No. 1 Arati Ponnappa Natekar, the WPBL promises thrilling “sportainment” with six teams—Dilli Dillwale, Pune United, Mumbai Pickle Power, Bengaluru Jawans, Chennai Super Champs, and Hyderabad Superstars—facing off in 18 high-stakes matches over ten days. The tournament will feature 48 elite international players from 14 countries, alongside India’s top talents, including Vrushali Thakare and Mayur Patil.

    Sony Pictures Networks India chief revenue officer & head of sports business Rajesh Kaul said: “The addition of the World Pickleball League affirms our efforts to provide diverse sporting content to our viewers.”

    WPBL co-founder & CEO Gaurav Natekar  praised Sony’s previous association in sports broadcasting, highlighting the network’s  commitment to engaging fans and elevating the league’s profile.