Harsh Mehta to lead the Indian Pro category charge at the Pickleball World Cup 2026
Mumbai, July 9
The Indian Pickleball Association announced the Indian contingent for the Pickleball World Cup 2026 after a highly competitive selection process to represent the nation in Pro category at the Pickleball World Cup 2026, which will be held at Da Nang, Vietnam, from August 30 to September 6.
Harsh Mehta to lead the Indian Pro category charge at the Pickleball World Cup 2026
Mumbai, July 9 (IANS) The Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) announced the Indian contingent for the Pickleball World Cup 2026 after a highly competitive selection process to represent the nation in Pro category at the Pickleball World Cup 2026, which will be held at Da Nang, Vietnam from August 30 September 6.
Harsh Mehta, a recurring name on the international pickleball circuit, will be leading the charge. He will be accompanied by Arjun Singh, who is also representing and captaining India in the U/18 category at the World Cup. Anish Frolian and Aman Patel make the cut as well in the men's category.
"Talent wins matches, but unity wins championships. We are confident that we will perform well to the best of our potential and I expect us to go very far in the cup. Extremely happy and grateful to be chosen as the captain for team India at the upcoming World Cup and I look forward to giving my absolute best along with the rest of the squad, said Harsh.
Mihika Yadav, Aaliyah Ebrahim, Pearl Amalsadiwala and Naomi Amalsadiwali make up the contingent on the women's side.
Pearl and Naomi have been formidable on the Indian circuit in recent times with podium finishes in both the women's doubles category and mixed doubles category across every single tournament in the last year.
Naomi Amalsadiwala will be one of the front runners in the mixed doubles category with Arjun Singh based on their recent results beating legendary teams like Richard Livornese/Megan Fudge and Quang Duong/Shelby Bates, who are ranked in the top 3 of the world rankings.
"With Harsh Mehta's brilliant leadership alongside dominant forces like Arjun, Anish, Aman, Aaliyah, Mihika and the formidable Amalsdiwala sisters, we have a world class lineup. We aren't going to Da Nang just to compete, we are going to conquer. This team has the hunger, the depth, and the synergy to bring the World Cup home," said Suryaveer Singh Bhullar, President, Indian Pickleball Association.
The Indian contingent enters the 2026 World Cup with renewed ambition after securing a Bronze Medal in the previous edition. To maximise performance at the World Cup, the selected athletes will participate in a structured high-performance development program featuring intensive training camps focused on technical excellence, physical conditioning, mental resilience, and sports nutrition.
Squad: Harsh Mehta (captain), Arjun Singh, Anish Frolian, Aman Patel, Mihika Yadav, Aaliyah Ebrahim, Pearl Amalsadiwala, Naomi Amalsadiwala
— IANS
Reader Comments
Great to see such a young team, especially Arjun Singh captaining the U/18 category. The IPA's focus on training camps and nutrition is exactly what we need to compete at the highest level. Hope they bring home more than bronze this time! 🙏
Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport globally, and India is proving it's not just a passing trend. Harsh Mehta's leadership coupled with the Amalsadiwala sisters' dominance makes for a strong contingent. Can't wait to see how they perform in Da Nang!
Honestly, the selection process was competitive but I hope it's truly based on merit and not just connections. Some players from smaller cities might have been overlooked. Still, the chosen squad looks strong and I'll be cheering for them! 🇮🇳
As someone who played pickleball in the US, it's amazing to see India building such a professional setup. The emphasis on mental resilience and nutrition shows they're serious about winning. Go Team India! 🎉
Great squad but why no representation from South India? I know several talented players from Chennai and Bangalore who could have made the cut. Hope the IPA expands its scouting network. Nonetheless, wishing Harsh and the team all the best! ✊
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