Lucknow Leopards star Shelby Bates heaped praise on the Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), calling it the best competitive environment she has experienced, even as her team exited the tournament after losing the Eliminator to Mumbai Smashers.
The Leopards were knocked out by Mumbai 4-2. Despite Lucknow missing out on the final, Bates delivered a standout individual performance, with her best outing coming against Bengaluru Blasters star Pei Chuan Kao, whom she defeated 15-5 to earn the Player of the Tie award. Her consistency and impact remained a highlight of the season.
Speaking to Pickleball Now, Bates highlighted the IPBL’s role in raising standards and accelerating pickleball’s growth in India and beyond. “I think this league is going to be exceptional as it continues to grow, elevates the level, and adds a few more teams,” she said. “It will be the biggest league around the world for sure.”
Bates also praised the tournament’s organisation and presentation, describing the atmosphere as unmatched. “The environment and atmosphere at this tournament was the best I have competed in,” she said. “It was a legit production and really made us feel important being out there and competing.”
About the Indian Pickleball League:
The Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), launched by The Times Group, is India’s official and only national league for Pickleball, sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA), which is recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India.
The inaugural edition played from December 1-7, 2025, at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall, Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, established Delhi as the epicentre of India’s next major sporting revolution. The event brought together top Indian and international players, franchise-owned city teams, and millions of fans through live and digital platforms.
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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