Hyderabad figures in top five of Indian Pickleball League

The city’s early leadership in adopting new-age sports positions it strongly within the league, fronted by its franchise, the Hyderabad Royals

Hyderabad: Hyderabad has officially secured its place among the first five city-based teams revealed for the debut edition of the Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), India’s only official pickleball league launched by The Times Group and sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA), recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS).

The city’s early leadership in adopting new-age sports positions it strongly within the league, fronted by its franchise, the Hyderabad Royals.

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Hyderabad’s inclusion brings significant momentum to IPBL, coming from a city that has consistently nurtured racquet-sport excellence. Paired with the city’s technology-led growth and youthful sporting demographic, pickleball has found a natural home here, gaining visibility across corporate campuses, communities, and clubs.

The Hyderabad team will now compete against teams from Gurugram, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru for pickleball glory at New Delhi’s KD Jadhav Indoor Hall, Indira Gandhi Stadium, from December 1–7, 2025.
Welcoming the franchises, Vineet Jain, Managing Director, The Times Group, said: “These teams represent the scale, ambition, and national reach that define the Indian Pickleball League. Together, they bring a fresh competitive spirit that will help make pickleball a modern fixture in India’s sporting landscape.”

Hyderabad’s representation comes through Operam Ventures Pvt. Ltd., an agile, technology-focused enterprise engaged in digital transformation and strategic IT solutions.

Anubhav Tyagi, Managing Director – Operam Ventures, noted, “Hyderabad is ready for the next big sport. Pickleball has found early, enthusiastic adoption here, and IPBL gives us a
national stage to build on that momentum.”

As pickleball continues its sharp rise across India and internationally, the addition of Hyderabad strengthens IPBL’s vision of delivering a dynamic league experience, driven by regional pride, modern fan engagement, and a new era of high-speed competitive sport.