Victory for Arora and Bagla in Men's Doubles at Picklebay Zonals
Arora and Bagla Triumph in Intermediate Men’s Doubles
On June 25, Akshay Arora and Jatin Bagla clinched the title in the Intermediate Men’s Doubles (DUPR 4.2) category at the Picklebay Zonals North, narrowly defeating Arthav Neema and Vansh Ruhela with a score of 25-23 at The Horizon X Courtplay in Gurugram. This victory is part of the ongoing PWR700 tournament, which plays a crucial role in selecting players for India's senior team for the upcoming Pickleball World Cup 2026.
Throughout the tournament, Arora and Bagla showcased remarkable teamwork. They advanced to the finals after a semifinal win against Shubham Singh and Gundeep Singh, where they triumphed 18-9, following a tense quarterfinal match against Rishi Soni and Vivek Soni, which ended 15-14. Earlier, they secured a victory over Dhairya Nagpal and Vipin in the round of 16.
Meanwhile, the runners-up Neema and Ruhela demonstrated their skills by defeating Varun Mittal and Sudarshan Dhakne 15-12 in the semifinals, having previously achieved a solid 16-8 win against Chirag Dogra and Abhinav Takkar in the quarterfinals. The quarterfinals featured several impressive performances, including Mittal and Dhakne edging past Apoorv Sharma and Jay Sharma 15-12, and Shubham Singh and Gundeep Singh overcoming Gaurav Sood and Biswanath Reang 16-11. Many matches in the Round of 16 were closely contested, with several ending at 15-14, showcasing the high level of competition.
Arora and Bagla’s victory marks a significant milestone in the growing popularity of pickleball in India. As the event progresses into its third day, anticipation builds for the mixed doubles and women’s categories, promising intense rallies and exciting performances from emerging talents as the competition intensifies for vital national selection.
About the Indian Pickleball Association: The Indian Pickleball Association serves as the official governing body for pickleball in India, committed to promoting and organizing the sport nationwide. The association aims to inspire players of all ages and skill levels through events like the IPA Nationals. It is affiliated with the Asian Pickleball Association (APA) and the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF).
About Pickleball World Ranking: The PWR is a national ranking system that encompasses all age groups, skill divisions, and formats, including singles, doubles, and mixed categories. It acts as the official National Sports Federation Ranking for India. With numerous sanctioned events occurring weekly across the country, PWR identifies the top Indian players at every level and lays the groundwork for team selection at school, district, state, and national levels.
Stay updated with the latest in Pickleball, including exclusive behind-the-scenes content, tips, and inspiration. Follow us at @pickleballnow.in on Instagram and join the community!