Rishabh Pant buys Mumbai team ahead of IPL 2025, partners with popular Brand

India star Rishabh Pant has collaborated with Food delivery company Swiggy to co-own the Mumbai Pickle Power franchise in the inaugural season of the World Pickleball League (WPBL).

As India's first global franchise-based pickleball league, WPBL marks a pivotal moment for the sport, which is rapidly gaining popularity worldwide.

This partnership aims to elevate pickleball's prominence in India, combining Swiggy's innovative approach with Pant's dynamic persona and extensive fan base. Swiggy CEO Rohit Kapoor shared his enthusiasm, stating, "Pickleball already had our attention: fun, fast-paced, and perfect for families to enjoy together. But adding Rishabh Pant to the mix? Ab game aur bhi interesting ho gaya!"

Rishabh Pant echoed this excitement, saying, "The excitement around pickleball is contagious, and I personally love the sport. I wanted to invest in the World Pickleball League to take the sport to the next level. Partnering with Swiggy, we share the vision to amplify its popularity and excitement."

The six-team league, co-founded by former Indian tennis players Gaurav Natekar and Arati Ponnappa Natekar, will kick off its inaugural season on January 24, 2025, with Mumbai Pickle Power taking on Pune United in the opening match. The league, culminating in the grand finale on February 2, will be held at Mumbai's Cricket Club of India (Brabourne Stadium) and streamed live on FanCode.

Mumbai Pickle Power Squad and Schedule

Head Coach: Sam Basford

Squad: Mayur Patil (India), Brandon Lane (USA), Glauka Carvahal Lane (Spain), Sabrina Dominguez (Spain), Mihae Kwon (South Korea), Kim Eung Gwon (South Korea), Bartosz Karbownik (Poland), Katie Morris (United Kingdom)

Fixtures

24 Jan - Mumbai Pickle Power vs Pune United
25 Jan - Mumbai Pickle Power vs Dilli Dilwale
27 Jan - Mumbai Pickle Power vs Hyderabad Super Stars
28 Jan - Mumbai Pickle Power vs Chennai Super Champs
30 Jan - Mumbai Pickle Power vs Bengaluru Jawans