The women’s doubles final at the Pickleball Now Grand Prix saw Pragati Natraj and Kasturi Vighne overpower Shilpa Sham and Kavya J to claim the title with a 15-8 win.
The match began with Shilpa and Kavya taking control, as Kavya in particular looked good with her smashes, which kept Pragati and Kasturi on the back foot. The early momentum suggested a close contest, but the tide soon shifted.
Pragati and Kasturi regrouped quickly by mixing strong returns and clever placements, thereby forcing errors from their opponents. Their consistency and quick exchanges at the net turned the game around, and from there, they took charge. Once ahead, they pressed on with aggressive play and sharp shot selection, extending their lead point by point.
Shilpa and Kavya tried to stage a comeback midway through the game, clawing back a few points with attacking drives. But the pressure from Pragati and Kasturi never really eased. Maintaining their rhythm, the pair closed out the contest with authority.
The Pickleball Now Grand Prix is a first-of-its-kind lifestyle sporting initiative by Times Network, bringing together India’s fastest-growing sport with the energy of entertainment, networking, and brand experiences.
Reflecting on their win, the champions praised the event. “The tournament was one of the best played. The setup and everything was great. We had a bad start, but the partnership with Kasturi was great,” they said.
Pragati added, “We had a bad start, but the first loss is very important to get you going. We are just tournament friends and partners. We don’t practice together. But it was a great partnership.”
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.
Stay connected with all the latest news on Pickleball, exclusive behind-the-scenes content, tips, and inspiration you won’t find anywhere else. Your ultimate destination for all things pickleball – where the community comes together for news, views, and the sport that’s sweeping the globe.