India’s first franchise-based pickleball league, the World Pickleball League (WPBL), is drawing near, and Mumbai’s iconic Brabourne Stadium Cricket Club of India (CCI) is all systems go.
The WPBL, slated to get rolling on the 24th of January will become the first non-cricket sporting tournament to be held on the hollowed grounds of the CCI, which for years has stood proudly as the home of India’s national sport. The CCI was established way back in 1933 and has become a beacon of the country’s rich sporting heritage.
“We are delighted to welcome the World Pickleball League as it hosts its inaugural season at CCI. We thank Gaurav [Natekar] and Arati [Natekar] for choosing CCI as their venue and assure them of our full support,” said Madhumati Lele Shrivastava, President of CCI. “The WPBL masterfully combines sports and entertainment, creating a league that will be loved by audiences across boundaries and age groups. The recent success of the WPC, where WPBL was a Powered by Partner, demonstrated the growing excitement around Pickleball, and we are confident the league will be a grand success.”
Indian tennis players Gaurav Natekar and Arati Ponnappa Natekar co-founded the WPBL, which will bring together six teams for world-class pickleball action over the span of one week. The league is supported by PNG Jewellers and is expected to bring to India a unique blend of sports and entertainment (sportainment).
“To witness season 1 of the World Pickleball League unfold at a location where my father became the first non-cricketer inducted into the Legends Club is truly an honour,” said Gaurav Natekar, Co-Founder of WPBL on the location where the first WPBL will be held. “The CCI represents credibility and iconism, standing as the crown jewel of Mumbai’s sporting landmarks. Hosting the league on Brabourne Stadium adds stature to the league. With its central location, deep emotional connection with fans, and the plans we have for the league, we are confident in delivering an unforgettable in-stadium experience, paired with unparalleled sportainment for our audience.”
The WPBL Season schedule is as follows:
| Match No. | Date | Match |
| 1 | 24th January | Mumbai Pickle Power vs Pune United |
| 2 | 24th January | Bengaluru Jawans vs Chennai Super Champs |
| 3 | 25th January | Bengaluru Jawans vs Hyderabad Superstars |
| 4 | 25th January | Mumbai Pickle Power vs Dilli Dillwale |
| 5 | 26th January | Chennai Super Champs vs Dilli Dillwale |
| 6 | 26th January | Hyderabad Superstars vs Pune United |
| 7 | 27th January | Mumbai Pickle Power vs Hyderabad Superstars |
| 8 | 27th January | Bengaluru Jawans vs Pune United |
| 9 | 28th January | Bengaluru Jawans vs Dilli Dillwale |
| 10 | 28th January | Mumbai Pickle Power vs Chennai Super Champs |
| 11 | 29th January | Chennai Super Champs vs Pune United |
| 12 | 29th January | Hyderabad Superstars vs Dilli Dillwale |
| 13 | 30th January | Mumbai Pickle Power vs Bengaluru Jawans |
| 14 | 30th January | Dilli Dillwale vs Pune United |
| 15 | 31st January | Hyderabad Superstars vs Chennai Super Champs |
| 16 | 1st February | Semi-final 1: 1st placed Team Vs 4th placed Team |
| 17 | 1st February | Semi-final 1: 2nd placed Team Vs 3rd placed Team |
| 18 | 2nd February | Finals |
