As a little boy, Gowtham Ramesh wanted to be a cricketer. He played often, dreamed of representing India, and even hoped to build a sporting career.
However, family finances and practical realities compelled him to abandon that dream. His parents wanted him to focus on studies and become a chartered accountant. Gowtham excelled academically, but his love for sports never left him.
Years later, he found pickleball by accident and it changed everything.
“My pickleball journey began when Karnataka Secretary Rajat Kankar came to our college during my final year of B.Com. He gave us a demo, and that was the first time I saw pickleball. That was about five years ago,” Gowtham recalled. At the time, he was working with Bestcom, a government sector job he held for three years after graduation.
Initially, pickleball was primarily a fitness and fun activity. “For seven to eight months, I played casually in Nagarbhavi. However, when I saw the level of competition at the Indian Open in Rajasthan, I decided to take it seriously. Even at this age, I felt I could still become a professional player.”
Cricket may not have directly benefited him, but his sporting mindset carried over. “I’ve always been a sports lover. From childhood, I wanted to play one sport at a high level. Cricket wasn’t possible financially, but pickleball was a sport I could manage myself while working.”
A Sport on the Rise
For Gowtham, pickleball has the same growth energy he once associated with cricket. “In three to four years, I definitely see pickleball booming in India, not just here but worldwide. After cricket, I think pickleball has the potential to become the next big thing. The beauty of this sport is that people can participate competitively from the age of 8 to 80. That’s unique.”
Events like the Pickleball Now Grand Prix in Bangalore, where Gowtham and his partner Ranjit Kupli won the men’s doubles crown, strengthen this belief. “The way they conducted the Grand Prix, the ambience, the environment, I loved it. This kind of tournament inspires professionals and newcomers. It shows the sport is heading to a bigger stage. I believe pickleball will be part of the Olympics one day.”
He also credits the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) for structure. “IPA has been essential. Last year at Bennett University, we won bronze for Karnataka in the team event. They’re systematic and professional, and the Nationals in Bangalore this year will give players more chances to grow.”
The Power of Partnership
At the Grand Prix, Gowtham and Ranjit’s friendship – forged in college – became their strength. “We started pickleball together as friends, and that’s the beauty. In doubles, even two good singles players can’t guarantee wins. Doubles is about support, coordination, and communication. In practice, anyone can win, but in tournaments, under pressure, it’s about supporting each other. That’s where our friendship helps.”
And when the scoreboard turns against them, Gowtham draws on his core belief. “Never give up till the end. Even if you’re down, you can always come back. I keep telling myself, ‘Don’t give up, give your best till the last point.’ That’s how I reset during matches and get back into the game.”
For someone who once thought cricket would be his sport, Gowtham Ramesh has found a new arena, one where his patience, resilience, and love for competition have already begun to pay off.
About Indian Pickleball Association:
The Indian Pickleball Association is the official governing body for pickleball in India and is dedicated to promoting, developing, and organising the sport across the country. The association continues to inspire players of all ages and skill levels to embrace the game through events like the IPA Nationals. IPA is affiliated with the Asian Pickleball Association (APA) and the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF).
About Pickleball World Ranking:
PWR is a national ranking system that spans all age groups, skill divisions, and formats -including singles, doubles, and mixed categories. It serves as the official National Sports Federation Ranking for India. With multiple sanctioned events taking place every week across the country, PWR defines the top Indian players at every level and forms the foundation for team selection at the school, district, state, and national stages.
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