When the lights dimmed at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall in New Delhi and the inaugural season of the Indian Pickleball League drew to a close, the feeling was clear – this was more than a tournament.
It was the starting point of something special. To capture who truly defined this historic first chapter, which Mumbai Smashers won dramatically against Hyderabad Royals (5-1), Pickleball Now spoke to the coaches of five franchises, asking them to select their personal Team of the Tournament independently – those players who, in their eyes, raised the bar across the league.
When the lists came together, one name stood tall above the rest – Quang Duong. Picked by every single team, the Mumbai Smashers sensation became the face of the inaugural IPBL. Game after game, Duong delivered with calm authority, blending flair with ruthless consistency to dominate the singles court while lifting the tempo whenever his team needed momentum.
Right alongside him was Harsh Mehta, selected by four franchises. Quietly brilliant, Mehta was the league’s ultimate problem-solver, tactically clever, relentless at the net, and steady in doubles. He became the dependable backbone every coach admired, the kind of player who may not chase the spotlight but always controls the narrative on court.
Among the women, there was absolute unanimity. Megan Fudge was chosen by all five coaches, which is a true reflection of her extraordinary influence on the league. Match after match, the Hyderabad Royals star carried her team with grit and grace, pushing them into the final and setting the tournament’s highest performance benchmark.
Adding to the elite mix were Roos van Reek, whose smooth movement and ice-cold finishing powered Chennai and later impressed Mumbai, and Allison Harris, praised by Hyderabad and Gurgaon for her versatility and ability to deliver in crucial moments.
Indian talent shone brightly too. Arjun Singh’s combativeness earned selections from Gurgaon and Mumbai, while Naimi Mehta’s intelligent doubles play made her one of the season’s biggest revelations for both Gurgaon and Chennai. Phuc Huynh’s explosive athleticism added spark to Bengaluru’s campaign.
Lucknow highlighted depth and fearless youth by backing Aditya Ruhela and Mihika Yadav, performers unafraid of big stages. Divyanshu Kataria earned Gurgaon’s nod for his aggressive shot-making. Meanwhile, Pearl Amalsadiwala, trusted by Hyderabad and Mumbai, stamped her value through clutch doubles performances, and Naomi Amalsadiwala impressed Lucknow with her composure under pressure.
Together, these names form the first-ever Coaches’ Team of the Tournament – players who didn’t just collect wins, but helped shape the emotional heartbeat of IPBL’s unforgettable debut.
Hyderabad Royals Coach Rahul Belwal
- Quang Duong (Mumbai Smashers)
- Ryler DeHeart (Lucknow Leopards)
- Harsh Mehta (Chennai Super Warriors)
- Megan Fudge (Hyderabad Royals)
- Allison Harris (Mumbai Smashers)
- Pearl Amalsadiwala (Mumbai Smashers)
Capital Warriors Gurgaon Coach Monica Menon
- Arjun Singh (Bengaluru Blasters)
- Quang Duong (Mumbai Smashers)
- Divyanshu Kataria (Hyderabad Royals)
- Naimi Mehta (Capital Warriors Gurgaon)
- Megan Fudge (Hyderabad Royals)
- Allison Harris (Mumbai Smashers)
Chennai Super Warriors Manager Asif Ismail
- Quang Duong (Mumbai Smashers)
- Harsh Mehta (Chennai Super Warriors)
- Phuc Huynh (Bengaluru Blasters)
- Roos van Reek (Chennai Super Warriors)
- Megan Fudge (Hyderabad Royals)
- Naimi Mehta (Capital Warriors Gurgaon)
Lucknow Leopards Coach Vishnu Vardhan
- Quang Duong (Mumbai Smashers)
- Harsh Mehta (Chennai Super Warriors)
- Aditya Ruhela (Lucknow Leopards)
- Mihika Yadav (Lucknow Leopards)
- Megan Fudge (Hyderabad Royals)
- Naomi Amalsadiwala (Lucknow Leopards)
Mumbai Smashers Coach Rohan Gajjar
- Quang Duong (Mumbai Smashers)
- Harsh Mehta (Chennai Super Warriors)
- Arjun Singh (Bengaluru Blasters)
- Roos van Reek (Chennai Super Warriors)
- Megan Fudge (Hyderabad Royals)
- Pearl Amalsadiwala (Mumbai Smashers)
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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