The Indian Open League 2025 and Global Sports Pro and Challenger League – laying claim to being Asia’s largest pickleball event – on Thursday unveiled the ten city-based teams that will make up the tournament, as well as the respective team owners.
Event brand ambassador Karan Johar spoke passionately about his association with the league, stating: “Pickleball is a game of inclusion, fun, and passion. Being a part of this revolutionary moment is an honor, and I am thrilled to contribute to bringing this incredible sport to the forefront.”
Team Announcements
The spotlight of the event was the announcement of the 10 teams representing cities across India. Each team comes with prominent stakeholders who bring vision and passion to the league.
The teams and their owners include:
Mumbai Chhatrapati Warriors – Janhvi Kapoor. Representing the Franchise, Josh Majumdar
Ahmedabad Olympians – Anmol Patel and Aditya Gandhi
Bengaluru Blazers – Amrita Deora
Chennai Cool Cats – Anshuman Ruia, Radhika Ruia and Yudi Ruia
Delhi Snipers – Jai Gandhi, Krish and Karyna Bajaj
Goa Gladiators – Samrat Javeri, Atul Rawat, Rajesh Advani, Sachin Bhansali
Hyderabad Vikings – Akshay Reddy
Jaipur Jawans – Luv Ranjan and Anubhav Singh Bassi
Kolkata Kings – Varun Vora and Rohan Khemka.
Nashik Ninjas – Karishma Thakker
The ten teams will compete for a prize pool of $125,000 (Rs 1.08 crore), underscoring the tournament’s significance as a transformative event in Indian sports.
A Vision for Pickleball in India
Hemal Jain, founder of Globalsports, promoters of the event, shared the vision for the league, saying: “Our goal is to elevate pickleball to unprecedented heights in India and beyond. This league is a celebration of talent, unity, and the incredible growth of the sport in our country.”
Shashank Khaitan, co-founder of the Indian Open League, added: “The Indian Open League is not just a competition — it’s a movement to inspire young talent and create a platform for pickleball to flourish as a mainstream sport in India.”
Scheduled to be held from February 3rd to 9th in Mumbai, the Indian Open League and Global Sports Pro and Challenger League at Nesco, Goregaon will feature over 1,800 players competing across various categories on more than 25 courts. With participants hailing from over 15 cities, this event will include both pro and amateur leagues, offering a platform for emerging talents and seasoned professionals alike. The $125,000 prize pool further cements the tournament’s status as a game-changer in Asia’s sports scene.
Under the leadership of Hemal Jain and co-founders Niraj Jain, Divyesh Jain, and Suresh Bhansali, Globalsports has been pivotal in cultivating a thriving pickleball ecosystem in India. The addition of Bollywood luminaries Shashank Khaitan and Yuvraj Ruia and Karan Johar adds a unique blend of entertainment and sportsmanship to the league.
