Suhana Spices Up India’s Billie Jean King Cup 2025 Dreams as Team Sponsor for Historic Pune Campaign

Add as a preferred source on Google

In a spicy new twist to India’s Billie Jean King Cup 2025 Asia-Oceania Group-1 campaign, Pune’s home-grown brand Suhana has come on board as the official team sponsor.

As the prestigious women’s tennis competition returns to Indian soil for the first time in a decade, and to Pune for the very first time, Suhana’s association is set to add a generous dash of local flavour and fervour to the tricolour-clad warriors' charge for play-offs qualification.

The much-anticipated event, hosted at the Mhalunge Balewadi Tennis Complex from April 8 to 12, is being organised by the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) in collaboration with the All India Tennis Association (AITA) and Pune Metropolitan District Tennis Association (PMDTA).

Backed by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare, Government of Maharashtra, the tournament promises an electrifying week of women’s tennis in one of India’s most vibrant sporting hubs.

Suhana Spices Serve of Support

Suhana, one of the country’s top names in the spice industry, isn’t just sprinkling brand presence at the event—it’s marinating itself into the core of Indian women’s tennis, taking the mantle as Team India’s sponsors for this critical campaign.

Mr Rajkumar Chordia, Chairman of Suhana and a tennis aficionado himself, shared, “Suhana has been supporting junior Indian tennis through Pravin Trophy for more than three decades. We feel proud to be associated with the Indian women's team ahead of the BKJC AO Group 1 qualifier in our home city.”

Echoing the sentiment, Suhana’s Director and former nationally ranked player Vishal Chordia said, “We are extremely delighted to come onboard as the sponsors for team India. It's a matter of great pride and honour to support a young Indian team. I'm sure our players will flourish and fight hard for the play-offs qualification and make it to the world group play off stage.”

A Starry Line-Up on Home Turf

India’s top-ranked singles player and Asian Games bronze medallist Ankita Raina will lead the team, flanked by dynamic talent including Sahaja Yamalapalli, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, and Vaidehi Chaudhari. Bringing firepower to the doubles will be Prarthana Thombare, fresh off a solid WTA Mumbai Open campaign. Adding a pinch of promise is 15-year-old Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi, who caught the nation’s eye with her impressive run in Mumbai earlier this year. She joins as a reserve player.

Steering the team from the sidelines is India captain Vishal Uppal, while former international and Pune local Radhika Kanitkar Tulpule takes on coaching duties for this crucial leg.

“We have started our training in Pune for the BJKC Asia Oceania Qualifying Group,” said Uppal. “Our most important task this week is to make sure our players are healthy, fit & sharp on the court. The team is together now, and we have good energy flowing in our practice sessions.”

Uppal also extended gratitude to the physio team, saying, “We would like to thank AITA and MSLTA for allocating Rutuja Kulkarni and Apurva Kulkarni, both city-based Sports physios, to work with the team this year.”

A New Look and New Hope

Amid the buzz surrounding Suhana’s sponsorship, the Indian squad also unveiled their vibrant new kits for the tournament, symbolising a fresh start as they aim for a historic second berth in the play-offs stage. The pressure and prestige are heightened by the fact that this is only the second time India is hosting the tournament in over a decade, with Maharashtra getting its first turn after a gap of 25 years.

The team’s campaign will unfold in a tough round-robin format against formidable opponents—New Zealand, Chinese Taipei, Korea Republic, Thailand and Hong Kong China. The top two finishers will qualify for the play-offs set for November later this year.

Free Entry for Fans, Live Broadcast on DD Sports

PMDTA Secretary Abhishek Tamhane confirmed that fans can cheer for Team India live from the stands with free entry being offered for all matches. “Tennis lovers will be able to experience very exciting matches this time,” he noted.

For those who can’t make it to the venue, every thrilling rally and emotional match point will be broadcast live on DD Sports, bringing the drama and determination of India’s women stars into homes across the country.

Fuelled by Pride and Partnerships

The 2025 Billie Jean King Cup AO Group-1 matches are powered by SAI and the Ministry of Sports and Youth Welfare, Maharashtra. Suhana joins a strong roster of partners including Bisleri, Shiv-Naresh, Manipal Hospitals and Dunlop, all rallying behind the women’s team.

India came heartbreakingly close to qualifying last year, finishing third in the group behind China and South Korea. The team had one foot in the next round but stumbled in a tight 2-1 defeat against New Zealand. With the home crowd behind them and a fiery young squad, the Indian team has every reason to dream big this April in Pune.

Indian Squad for Billie Jean King Cup 2025 Asia-Oceania Group-1:

• Players: Ankita Raina, Prarthana Thombare, Sahaja Yamalapalli, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, Vaidehi Chaudhari, Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi (Reserve)
• Captain: Vishal Uppal
• Coach: Radhika Kanitkar Tulpule
• Physios: Rutuja Kulkarni, Apurva Kulkarni

As Suhana adds its signature flavour to the Indian team's campaign, tennis fans across the nation will be hoping that the perfect blend of experience, youth, home advantage and patriotic spice proves to be the winning recipe for India’s Billie Jean King Cup dreams.