India Gears Up for Pickleball World Cup 2026 with Junior Selection Trials
Indian Pickleball Association Prepares for World Cup
The Indian Pickleball Association (IPA), recognized as the National Sports Federation for Pickleball by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS) and the Sports Authority of India (SAI), is preparing to select the top junior players from across the nation. These athletes will represent India at the upcoming Pickleball World Cup 2026, scheduled to take place in Vietnam later this year.
"The selection of the junior squad is crucial as it will shape the future of Indian Pickleball on the international stage. These young talents are the future competitors in major global events once pickleball is officially included. The World Cup serves as an excellent platform for them to demonstrate their abilities and compete against the world's best junior players," stated Suryaveer Singh Bhullar, President of the Indian Pickleball Association, in a recent press release.
Details of the Junior Squad Selection Trials
The selection trials will take place over three days, from June 12 to June 14, 2026, in Ahmedabad. These trials will determine the junior squad that will represent India in the third edition of the Pickleball World Cup, which is sanctioned by the Global Pickleball Federation and will occur from August 30 to September 9, 2026.
Prominent Players Competing for Selection
Several notable players are expected to participate in the trials, including Arjun Singh, who recently secured three medals at the US Open in both singles and doubles categories. Other rising stars include Naomi Amalsadiwala, Panth Thakkar, who won a bronze medal at the US Open in doubles, as well as Purvansh Patel, Anoushka Chabbria, Veer Shah, and Dev Shah, all vying for a spot on the Indian team.
Selection Committee Members
The selection committee for the trials comprises Aalap Sharma, Dhiren Patel, Mohit Kumar, Atul Edward, and IPA CEO Aditya Khanna. More than 100 players from various states, including Delhi, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Assam, Rajasthan, Odisha, Haryana, and Gujarat, are competing for the opportunity to represent India in the U14 and U18 categories at the World Cup.