Oxbridge Gender-Neutral Pickleball Match: For the first time, the Oxbridge Alumni Pickleball event in Delhi introduced a gender-neutral doubles match, where men and women competed together on equal terms. The event, held Sunday at Rackonnect Exclusive Padel Pickle Park in Mehrauli, brought Oxford and Cambridge graduates together to highlight fairness and inclusivity in sport.
A Historic Match
Vanshica Kant, a University of Oxford alumna now working in Beijing with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, teamed up with Shubham Janghu, a Cambridge graduate and lawyer at the Supreme Court of India. The two alumni formed the first mixed pair to face two men in this tournament.
“I feel like Pickleball is an easier sort of game than other games. And it is a game that brings people together. And fortunately, both of us have been teamed up by the Oxbridge event. And it has been fun getting to know her and getting to know other people who are over here. It is a fun way of connecting with each other from the same alumni society,” Shubham told Pickleball Now.
First Steps into Pickleball
Both players were new to competitive pickleball, yet they adapted quickly. Shubham stayed steady at the baseline, while Vanshica, who has experience in tennis and table tennis, brought sharp reflexes at the net.
“Usually, it is uncommon to have a gender-neutral event in racquet sports tournaments. Personally, for me, I have already played a lot of racquet sports, and I have played with a lot of male friends, so I did not actually feel much difference. I played tennis and table tennis, and this was my first interaction with pickleball and I felt it like a cross between both. Also, the court is more similar to the tennis, but the ball and paddle look similar to table tennis. It is an interesting mix,” Vanshica said.
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A Level Playing Field
The match showed how pickleball allows men and women to compete side by side.
“I feel that there is a level playing field in pickleball for both the genders. While in cricket, having a mixed gender event could be difficult, but pickleball is a great level playing field as both genders can play a match together while being competitive. I have noticed that she (Vanshica) played better than me a couple of times because she has a background in other sports. I never felt that she is lagging behind. So, pickleball can be a great sport even at the professional level for having a gender-neutral event,” Shubham said with a smile.
The Vision Behind the Event
The idea for a gender-neutral event came from Samriti Sood, a University of Oxford alumna.
“Wellness and taking care of one’s health should not be bound by age, routine, or gender – they are essentials for everyone. More than just a once-in-a-while experience, they should be a way of life,” she said.
Symbolism Beyond the Court
For participants, the match was more than about scoring points. It reflected how pickleball can break barriers and encourage equality. Alumni who were once divided by academic rivalries at Oxford and Cambridge united under the sport’s spirit of balance and respect.
News in Brief: Oxbridge Gender-Neutral Pickleball Match
Oxford and Cambridge alumni gathered in Delhi for a unique gender-neutral pickleball event at Rackonnect Exclusive Padel Pickle Park. Oxford alumna Vanshica Kant and Cambridge graduate Shubham Janghu became the first mixed doubles pair to face male opponents. The match highlighted pickleball’s inclusivity and potential to create equal opportunities in sport.
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