IPBL Final Shock: Hyderabad Royals Crumble as Mumbai Smashers Clinch Historic Championship.
In a finale that lived up to every bit of its hype, the Mumbai Smashers scripted a remarkable underdog story, defeating the Hyderabad Royals 5-1 to clinch the Indian Pickleball League (IPBL) title at New Delhi’s KD Jadhav Indoor Hall.
Having started the season in sixth place and struggled to find momentum in the early stages, Mumbai’s rise to the top was nothing short of miraculous.Written off by many midway through the league, the team displayed resilience and belief when it mattered most, battling through adversity to lift the championship trophy.
The Grand Finale unfolded in dominant fashion for Mumbai. After a high-glamour build-up featuring an All-Star match, the Smashers seized control early. In the opening men’s singles, Quang Duong - currently among the world’s top DUPR-ranked pickleball players - delivered a clinical performance against Tejas Gulati 15-4 to set the tone.
Duong then returned to the court for men’s doubles alongside Ammol Ramchandani. The pair held their nerve in a closely contested encounter, defeating Hyderabad’s Ben Newell and Divyanshu Kataria 15-10 to give Mumbai a decisive 2-0 lead - an advantage they would never surrender.
Though Hyderabad briefly mounted a comeback through their star player, Megan Fudge, who produced a commanding 15-5 victory in the women’s singles, the Smashers stayed composed. In women’s doubles, Allison Harris and Pearl Amalsadiwala recovered from an early deficit to secure a 15–10 win, pushing Mumbai firmly towards the title.
The championship was ultimately sealed in the Grand Rally - a fast-paced and high-intensity mixed event. Mumbai raced to a 6-1 lead, Hyderabad mounted a short revival, but the Smashers held their nerve and closed the contest 21-14, triggering jubilant celebrations. Duong and Amalsadiwala were later named “Players of the Tie.”
What made the triumph even more compelling was Mumbai's improbable route to the final. Winless until their final league match, the Smashers survived a three-way Play-In and went on to claim successive Grand Rally victories. They eliminated the Lucknow Leopards, stunned the Chennai Super Warriors in Qualifier 2, and finally outplayed the Hyderabad Royals in the title clash.
The final was witnessed by dignitaries, including Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, underscoring pickleball’s growing stature and institutional support as a professional sport in India.
Beyond the trophy, the victory marked a significant milestone for both the Mumbai Smashers and the Indian Pickleball League. Organisers believe the dramatic finish, presence of international stars, and strong backing from stakeholders could help propel pickleball from a niche pastime into a mainstream sport across the country, inspiring participation and investment in the years ahead.
In essence, Mumbai’s “miracle on court” stands as a powerful story of perseverance, redemption, and sporting excellence. While the defeat will sting for the Hyderabad Royals, the inaugural IPBL season concludes on a high note, with both finalists playing pivotal roles in one of India’s most unexpected and captivating sporting stories of 2025.
Having started the season in sixth place and struggled to find momentum in the early stages, Mumbai’s rise to the top was nothing short of miraculous.Written off by many midway through the league, the team displayed resilience and belief when it mattered most, battling through adversity to lift the championship trophy.
The Grand Finale unfolded in dominant fashion for Mumbai. After a high-glamour build-up featuring an All-Star match, the Smashers seized control early. In the opening men’s singles, Quang Duong - currently among the world’s top DUPR-ranked pickleball players - delivered a clinical performance against Tejas Gulati 15-4 to set the tone.
Duong then returned to the court for men’s doubles alongside Ammol Ramchandani. The pair held their nerve in a closely contested encounter, defeating Hyderabad’s Ben Newell and Divyanshu Kataria 15-10 to give Mumbai a decisive 2-0 lead - an advantage they would never surrender.
Though Hyderabad briefly mounted a comeback through their star player, Megan Fudge, who produced a commanding 15-5 victory in the women’s singles, the Smashers stayed composed. In women’s doubles, Allison Harris and Pearl Amalsadiwala recovered from an early deficit to secure a 15–10 win, pushing Mumbai firmly towards the title.
The championship was ultimately sealed in the Grand Rally - a fast-paced and high-intensity mixed event. Mumbai raced to a 6-1 lead, Hyderabad mounted a short revival, but the Smashers held their nerve and closed the contest 21-14, triggering jubilant celebrations. Duong and Amalsadiwala were later named “Players of the Tie.”
What made the triumph even more compelling was Mumbai's improbable route to the final. Winless until their final league match, the Smashers survived a three-way Play-In and went on to claim successive Grand Rally victories. They eliminated the Lucknow Leopards, stunned the Chennai Super Warriors in Qualifier 2, and finally outplayed the Hyderabad Royals in the title clash.
The final was witnessed by dignitaries, including Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, underscoring pickleball’s growing stature and institutional support as a professional sport in India.
Beyond the trophy, the victory marked a significant milestone for both the Mumbai Smashers and the Indian Pickleball League. Organisers believe the dramatic finish, presence of international stars, and strong backing from stakeholders could help propel pickleball from a niche pastime into a mainstream sport across the country, inspiring participation and investment in the years ahead.
In essence, Mumbai’s “miracle on court” stands as a powerful story of perseverance, redemption, and sporting excellence. While the defeat will sting for the Hyderabad Royals, the inaugural IPBL season concludes on a high note, with both finalists playing pivotal roles in one of India’s most unexpected and captivating sporting stories of 2025.
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