India Prepares for Pickleball World Cup Selection Process

Indian Pickleball Association Announces Selection for World Cup

The Indian Pickleball Association (IPA), recognized as the National Sports Federation for pickleball in India, has officially initiated its selection process for the upcoming Pickleball World Cup. This prestigious event is set to take place in Da Nang, Vietnam, from August 30 to September 6. The IPA aims to assemble a substantial Indian team, selecting athletes from various age categories including Under 14, Under 18, Open, 50+, and 60+.

In a statement released on May 29, the IPA detailed the criteria for selection for this World Cup, which marks the first time the tournament will be hosted in Asia. To qualify for the national team, players must be Indian citizens with a valid passport, officially registered with the IPA, meet the age requirements for their category as of the tournament start date, and be available for travel to Vietnam. Additionally, all selected players must attend any mandatory pre-tournament training or coaching camps organized by the IPA.

Focus on Global Rankings

The IPA Selection Committee will adopt a structured, performance-oriented approach to team selection, emphasizing past performances in IPA-sanctioned events. The committee will prioritize athletes with high global standings to ensure that India is represented by its most competitive players on the international stage. The selection process will consider an athlete's competitive history in IPA-sanctioned events, their participation in global competitions, and their PWR Ranking, which evaluates players in Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles.

Furthermore, performances in the National Championships, which took place in Bengaluru in November 2025, will be prioritized, along with results from domestic competitions, including the Picklebay Zonals. The Picklebay Zonals began with the West event in March, and the North event will serve as the final qualifying opportunity before the World Cup.

In addition to performance metrics, the IPA will evaluate the fitness and current form of the players. Regarding the senior squad selection, the IPA stated that comprehensive details about the selection schedule, trial formats, and communication with athletes will be shared in due course. Players and stakeholders are encouraged to keep an eye on official IPA channels for updates.

For the Sub-Junior and Junior categories, selection trials are scheduled to take place from June 12-14 in Ahmedabad.

At the last Pickleball World Cup held in Florida, the Indian team made its debut under the IPA, achieving a remarkable performance by securing 25 medals, including eight gold, eight silver, and nine bronze, finishing seventh overall. India was the only Asian nation to rank in the top 10 of the medal tally.

Commitment to Excellence

Suryaveer Singh Bhullar, the IPA president, emphasized that this selection process is the most comprehensive to date. He stated, "The selection process we have implemented for Vietnam is the most rigorous we have conducted, based on global rankings, consistent performance in sanctioned events, and fitness levels suitable for elite international competition. We are not merely sending a team to Vietnam; we are sending India's finest, ready to compete at the highest level globally."