BY CHRIS BEAUMONT, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
The Jio World Garden in Mumbai has transformed into the epicentre of global pickleball this month, hosting the high-octane second season of the World Pickleball League (WPBL). With 56 elite players from 18 countries competing across eight franchises, the league has fully embraced a “spotainment” philosophy—blending celebrity glamour with gritty, world-class athletics.
As the condensed 13-day schedule passes the halfway mark, a clear hierarchy has emerged. While the “India Model” of franchise sports guarantees headlines through celebrity owners like Sunil Gavaskar and Samantha Ruth Prabhu, the on-court action has proven that a balanced roster is the ultimate currency.
The Unstoppable Force: Chennai Super Champs
The undeniable headline of Season 2 thus far is the dominance of the Chennai Super Champs. Owned by Samantha Ruth Prabhu, the team sits comfortably at the summit of the league with 33 points and a flawless record.
Their campaign began with a statement of intent—a 12-3 aggregate dismantling of Dilli Dillwale—and has only gained momentum since. The franchise has found a winning formula in Ly Hoang Nam. The Vietnamese star has been nothing short of a revelation, leading the “Band of Honour” individual scoring charts with a style described as “miraculous”.
Nam’s dominance is supported by the formidable Domenika Turkovic. In the early rounds, both players led their respective gender scoring tables with 56 points apiece, suggesting Chennai possesses the terrifying combination of star power and squad depth. Their most recent outing saw them extend their unbeaten streak with a gritty 3-2 victory over the Rajasthan Titans, where Nam again secured “Player of the Tie” honours.
The Chasing Pack: Dilli and Bengaluru
While Chennai looks to run away with the title, the battle for playoff positioning has intensified. Dilli Dillwale has surged into second place with 24 points, proving that a collective unit can dismantle individual brilliance. This was most evident in their recent victory over the Bengaluru Jawans. Despite Bengaluru’s Katerina Stewart scoring a heroic 74 points in the tie, Dilli executed a balanced attack to secure the win.
The Bengaluru Jawans, last year’s finalists, remain a potent threat despite the setback. Their season opened with a terrifying display of efficiency, including a match where Stewart demolished her opponent 30-03. However, as the league verdict currently stands, Bengaluru must find a way to convert individual scoring into team wins if they hope to catch the leaders.
The Fight for the Mid-Table
The Hyderabad Super Stars have positioned themselves as the league’s “resilience kings.” Unlike the smooth dominance of Chennai, Hyderabad has shown a knack for winning “ugly,” securing gritty 3-2 victories via nail-biting tie-breakers. Their ability to handle high-pressure scenarios, led by Louis Laville, makes them a dark horse for the championship.
Meanwhile, the narrative for Mumbai Pickle Power has been one of “what might have been.” Led by the husband-and-wife duo of Brandon Lane and Glauka Carvajal Lane, the team entered the season looking to settle “unfinished business” after health issues derailed their previous campaign. While Brandon Lane has successfully transitioned into a “doubles powerhouse”—winning both his matches against Bengaluru—the team has struggled to find the necessary third win in key ties, leaving them languishing lower in the standings.
The Verdict So Far
As the race for the playoffs heats up, the WPBL is proving that while superstars like Brandon Lane and Katerina Stewart can win matches, deep rosters win championships. With Chennai sitting nine points clear of their nearest rival, the rest of the league is running out of time to find a chink in the Super Champs’ armour.
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Chris Beaumont
Founder and Editor-in-ChiefChris Beaumont is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of World Pickleball Magazine. Chris follows the global game closely, reporting on the latest news, developments, stories and tournaments from all five continents. He also hosts the World Pickleball Podcast, interviewing people at…
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