India’s WPBL Holds Player Draft Ahead of Season 2, Welcomes Players from 18 Nations
India’s first and only franchise-based pickleball competition, the World Pickleball League (WPBL), held its Season 2 Player Draft on Tuesday and welcomed 56 players from 18 different countries across 5 continents. With the draft, the WPBL’s next season will see a blend of experienced and emerging picklers from around the world as the teams will be parading highly diverse rosters.
“This draft is reflective of the future we are building. Over a year ago, WPBL was an idea, and now players across continents are choosing this league. The scouting this year was far more evolved, and what excites us most is the surge of young talent entering the system. You can feel a shift in the energy, the ambition, and the belief,” said Gaurav Natekar, Founder and CEO of WPBL. “Every franchise has been deliberate and strategic, covering all bases with precision. We have witnessed increased participation from Indian players this season, which is encouraging to see. The League is committed towards the development of Indian players and providing a platform and pathway to showcase their talents at the highest stage.”
The WPBL had earlier announced that Season 2 will be held at Jio World Garden in Mumbai from 24 January 2026 to 8 February 2026. It will, according to Natekar, deliver “high-octane sporting action mixed with lively entertainment and fan engagement, producing an atmosphere that captures the attention of players, fans, and sponsors alike.”
WPBL Rosters for Season 2
BENGALURU JAWANS
Kat Stewart, Dusty Boyer, Brooke Revuelta, Vrushali Thakare, Mauro Garcia, Eungwon Kim, Molly O’Donoghue, Eduardo Irizarry
PUNE UNITED
Vanshik Kapadia, William Sobek, Katie Morris, Madalina Grigoriu, Balint Bako, Thaddea Lock, Sarah Jane Lim, Bartosz Karbownik
MUMBAI PICKLE POWER
Brandon Lane, Glauka Carvajal Lane, Jada Bui, Tejas Mahajan, Max Green, Helen To, Santhosh Narayanan, Sabrina Mendez
HYDERABAD SUPERSTARS
Hong Kit Wong, Seone Mendez, Mayur Patil, Kaitlynn Hart, Louis Laville, Lauren Mercado, Pep Canyadell, Talia Saunders
CHENNAI SUPER CHAMPS
Simone Jardim, Hoang Nam Ly, Carlota Trevino, Sonu Vishwakarma, Tanner Tomassi, Rika Fujiwara, Quan Do, Tea Pejic
DILLI DILLWALE
Max Manthou, Trang Huynh-McClain, Erik Lange, Anuja Maheshwari, Mihae Kwon, Hien Truong, Alejandra Lopez, Rob Cassidy
TEAM JAIPUR
Amanda Hendry, Giang Trinh, Naveen Beasley, Ritam Chawla, Lorena Duknic, Jack Foster, Isabella Nelson, Connie Lee
