Pickleball Craze in Delhi-NCR: A fast-paced sport called pickleball is quickly becoming popular across Delhi-NCR. Played with paddles and a plastic ball, it mixes tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Former tennis player Yugal Bansal is now one of its top players, and celebrities like Virat Kohli and Ashneer Grover are regularly spotted on the court. New courts, events, and venues are popping up across the city as more people choose pickleball for fitness, fun, and socialising.
How It All Started
Yugal Bansal, once India’s 13th-best tennis player, discovered pickleball in 2023 after an elbow injury kept him from returning to tennis. He began playing in October and quickly rose to the top, winning most tournaments he entered.
Invented in 1965 in the United States, pickleball uses a smaller court and lower net than tennis. It is now a popular choice among young professionals in Delhi who want to try something new and fun during their free time.
A Sport Everyone Is Playing
Pickleball isn’t just a hobby—it’s turning into a lifestyle. Actor Angad Bedi has played in Mehrauli. Entrepreneur Ashneer Grover is often seen at courts in Panchsheel Park. Cricketer Virat Kohli and actor Anushka Sharma recently played at a Royal Challengers Bengaluru team event. Even the cast of the TV show Panchayat has posted pictures with paddles in hand.
The Delhi Development Authority is also joining in. It will host a tournament later this month at the Siri Fort Sports Complex.
Tournaments and Luxury Sports Parks
Delhi recently held a major pickleball and padel tournament called The Cleanse at Rackonnect Exclusive Padel Pickle Park in Mehrauli. The venue includes multiple courts, a football turf, and cricket nets.
Crowds gathered for the event, cheering on players across age groups. Gaurika Chopra, a former sports journalist, said,
“People from any age group can play this sport as it’s very easy to pick up. It’s difficult to master, but getting started is simple. A lot of women also play.”
Arjun Singh, co-founder of Hudle, added,
“Because pickleball is a no-contact sport, it encourages greater participation across age groups and genders.”
As the night went on, top players like Yugal Bansal advanced to the semifinals. He moved smoothly across the court, showing his years of tennis training. Many pickleball courts today are actually converted from tennis courts. Bansal went on to win the men’s singles title at the event.
Fitness Meets Fun
This event also focused on health and wellness. Sponsors included Bombay Hemp Company, Shyft Plant Protein, and Solace Physiotherapy Centre LLP. Players saw it as a fun and healthy way to spend time with others.
Simran Monga, Brand Manager at Dirtygood restaurant, said, “Earlier, people either used to go to a restaurant or a club to meet friends. Everyone was getting bored with it. At the end of the day, how long can you talk with the same people at the same places?”
Arjun Singh added, “Post-Covid, a lot of people began focusing on their health… many took up gym memberships and started working out. But now, you’ll see a dip in the number of people who regularly show up to the gym — it is inherently something you have to do alone. But playing a sport, something like pickleball, is much easier to do consistently since it’s a social activity: you have fun doing it and you are not just dependent on your own motivation to follow through.”
New Places, New Rituals
Some say Delhi’s first pickleball court opened in Vasant Vihar in November 2023. However, Sachin Pahwa, who runs a court in Sainik Farms, says,
“My court was not as popular because the Vasant Vihar one was in a club — but I was the first mover.”
While Delhi has joined the trend, Mumbai got there first. Now, thanks to platforms like Hudle, over 200 pickleball courts exist in Delhi-NCR. Singh says 30–40 more courts are being built every month.
It’s not a cheap sport. Court bookings can cost up to ₹1,250 per hour, and paddles may cost ₹10,000. Many players buy their own gear.
Riddhima Gupta, co-founder of Rulo, explained,
“Take any sector — dining, hospitality, fashion — we have seen progress and change in how things are done. But in sports, there was no change at all. If you had to play a sport, you had to go to the same old DDA sports complex.”
She added,
“But people’s expectations and exposure have grown. That’s why sports also have to provide a more retail kind of experience.”
Rulo’s venue in Panchshila Club has courts, a café, and spaces for players to relax. Nupur Banerjee, a tech consultant, says,
“Khan Market on weekend mornings is full of people who go there for breakfast after a game of pickleball.”
Social Events and Connections
Pickleball is now part of many social events. Dirtygood hosts events like Sunrise Social, which includes a short run, steam and sauna, and a pickleball match.
Companies also host mixers and team-building events at courts. Schools and clubs are working with businesses to turn old tennis courts into pickleball venues.
Aditya Kumar, manager at Rackonnect, said,
“Since it’s a very new sport, a lot of people know each other. And there are several opportunities to meet new people at various events and tournaments.”
In a WhatsApp group created by Rulo, players often post invites to join games at different locations. “Looking for 2 Intermediate/Intermediate + players from 4-6 pm today, at Pick a Ball Saket,” one message reads. A minute later, someone replies, “I’m in with +1.”
Arjun Singh said this growing community is possible because many young adults today have more free time and financial comfort. “Our parents did not have that. In our generation, a lot of people have this luxury.”
News in Brief: Pickleball Craze in Delhi-NCR
Pickleball is becoming a favorite sport in Delhi-NCR. Stars like Virat Kohli and Ashneer Grover play it. Over 200 courts exist, and events draw people of all ages. Players enjoy the social, fitness-friendly sport. With new courts and social gatherings, pickleball is shaping a new lifestyle for many.
ALSO READ: Chennai’s New Pickleball Hub: Pickle Up by Tiki Taka Opens Doors for All-Day Play and Pro Coaching