The Mumbai Smashers capped a fairytale campaign by becoming the inaugural champions of the Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), beating the Hyderabad Royals 5-1 in a dominant final on Sunday, December 7. The match at Delhi’s KD Jadhav Indoor Hall marked a historic moment for the fast-growing sport in India.
Who Were the Star Players for Mumbai?
The triumph was powered by a core quartet: Quang Duong, Pearl Amalsadiwala, Ammol Ramchandani, and Allison Harris. Vietnamese player Quang Duong was named the male Player of the Match, setting the tone by demolishing Tejas Gulati 15-4 in the men’s singles. Indian youngster Pearl Amalsadiwala, the female Player of the Match, teamed brilliantly with American Allison Harris in a crucial women’s doubles win.
How Did the Final Matches Unfold?
Mumbai seized control from the start. After Quang’s singles win, he partnered with Ammol Ramchandani to take the men’s doubles 15-10. Hyderabad’s Megan Fudge briefly revived hopes with a dominant 15-5 win in women’s singles. However, the tide turned decisively in the women’s doubles, where Pearl and Allison staged a comeback to win 15-10. The Smashers then sealed the title by winning the Grand Rally mixed doubles event 21-14.
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What Makes This Victory So Remarkable?
The Smashers’ path to the trophy was unexpected. They won only one match during the initial round-robin stage of the tournament. Their campaign ignited on the penultimate day, where they won three consecutive knockout matches—the Grand Rallies, the Eliminator, and the Qualifier—to reach the final. They carried that fiery momentum into the championship match, overwhelming the Royals.
What is the Indian Pickleball League?
Launched by The Times Group, the IPBL is India’s first and only official national pickleball league, sanctioned by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports-recognised Indian Pickleball Association. The league’s maiden edition was held in Delhi from December 1-7, 2025, with the goal of highlighting top-level Indian and international talent and popularising the sport nationwide.
The victory completed a dazzling first season for the league, underlining its vision of igniting India’s next sporting wave, and demonstrating that strong teamwork and momentum can quickly turn pickleball underdogs into champions.
