Pickleball's Big in India, Investors Betting on It

Pickleball's rise is driven by its accessibility to all fitness levels

- Sowmya Ramasubramanian

When Ronak, a 30-year-old businessman in Ahmedabad, moved into a new apartment complex last year, he struggled to connect with his neighbors until he discovered pickleball. "We reserve the court for an hour every day and have a great time," he told Mint. What started as a casual game quickly became a daily ritual.

Ronak is one of thousands of Indians embracing the fast-growing sport that is quietly sweeping the country. A hybrid of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, and played on a compact court, pickleball has rapidly evolved from a niche recreational activity into a booming business opportunity, drawing attention from startups, investors, and major brands alike.

Startups such as Goodland Pickleball, GoRally, and KheloMore are aggressively expanding, even focusing on tier II and tier III markets.