Watch: LSG captain to co-own Mumbai Pickle Power boosts World Pickleball League Season 2

Rishabh Pant, who plays cricket for India and competes in the IPL, began his new sports career by becoming a co-owner of the Mumbai Pickle Power team through his partnership with Swiggy before the start of the World Pickleball League (WPBL) Season 2. The development demonstrates how Indian athletes and business partners are increasingly showing interest in pickleball, which has become one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.

WPBL, India’s first global franchise-based pickleball league, will stage its inaugural season from January 24 to February 2, 2025. The Brabourne Stadium will host all matches, which include the final match, and viewers can watch the event through FanCode and Sony Ten 2 television channels.

The two organizations, Pant and Swiggy, work together to create a national campaign that will establish pickleball as a popular sport throughout India. Pant, who plays for the Mumbai Pickle Power franchise, brings his aggressive cricket style and extensive fan base to the team. The partnership between Swiggy and the company creates an opportunity to establish pickleball as a major sport through their combined advertising power and extensive brand presence.

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Celebrity backing and star ownership signal pickleball’s rise in India

Swiggy Food Marketplace CEO Rohit Kapoor described pickleball as a fun, fast-paced sport with family appeal. He stated that Pant's involvement with the sport brings additional excitement to the game. The franchise works to create joyful experiences which will inspire the next generation of players because its control extends beyond match victories.

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Pant shared his love for pickleball through his statement that he wants to develop the sport into its highest potential in India. He added that Swiggy was the ideal partner, given their shared vision of amplifying the sport’s popularity.

The six-team league has been co-founded by former Indian tennis players Gaurav Natekar and Arati Ponnappa Natekar. Other celebrity team owners include Riteish Deshmukh, Genelia Deshmukh, Samantha Prabhu, and filmmaker Atlee. Mumbai Pickle Power will start their season in the league's first match against Pune United which shows the start of a new era for pickleball in India.