Mumbai Pickle Power Takes On Pune United: The World Pickleball League (WPBL) begins its India leg on Friday with an exciting derby between Mumbai Pickle Power and Pune United at the Cricket Club of India (CCI). The match marks the start of a thrilling 15-tie event featuring five matches each, with Mumbai eager to claim early momentum.
Mumbai Pickle Power’s Lineup
Coach Sam Basford, at 25, is the youngest tactician in the competition and leads the Mumbai team. The squad combines youthful energy with experienced players, aiming to make an immediate impact.
The team is led by Indian pickleball captain Mayur Patil, supported by Brandon Lane, Glauka Lane, and the South Korean duo of Mihae Kwon and Kim Eung Gwon. The roster is further strengthened by Polish player Bartosz Karbownik, along with Sabrina Dominguez and Katie Morris.
“It promises to be a tough challenge since we have five great teams in the tournament, with great players in each one of them. The first match is against Pune, which is a state rivalry and that’s a great way to kick off the season. It’s our home town, our home city, and I’m super excited to see how we go on from here.” – (coach Basford)
Tournament Format
The WPBL will follow a round-robin format, where each team plays every other team once before moving to the semifinals. Each match will consist of five games, including men’s singles, women’s singles, doubles in each category, and mixed doubles.
Post their opening match against Pune, Mumbai will play Dilli Dilwale on Saturday, and their schedule will require quick recovery between matches.
Focus on Mayur Patil
As the sole local star, Mayur Patil is expected to lead Mumbai’s charge. Known for his impressive track record, Patil has earned 15 gold, eight silver, and five bronze medals in domestic and international competitions.
His stellar performance in 2024, where he achieved an 84% win rate across 260 encounters, makes him a key player for Mumbai Pickle Power in the league.
Looking Ahead
The opening match against Pune United promises to set the tone for the rest of the tournament. With strong players across categories, Mumbai Pickle Power is poised to make an impact and compete fiercely for the title.
News in Brief: Mumbai Pickle Power Takes On Pune United
The World Pickleball League begins its India leg with a derby between Mumbai Pickle Power and Pune United at CCI on Friday.
Mumbai’s squad, led by Mayur Patil, includes international players like Brandon Lane and Mihae Kwon. The round-robin tournament features men’s singles, women’s singles, and doubles matches.