Mumbai, Sep 2026 : The Indian contingent maintained its unbeaten run at the Pickleball World Cup in Da Nang, Vietnam, on Friday, with the India Pro squad powering into the quarterfinals after defeating the Philippines 4-1 in the Round of 16. The team will now face a formidable United States side in the last-eight stage.
The India Pro squad comprises Harsh Mehta, Arjun Singh, Anish Froilan, Aman Patel, Pearl Amalsadiwala, Naomi Amalsadiwala, Aaliya Ebrahim and Mihika Yadav. The team began its campaign with a commanding 4-0 victory over China in the Round of 32.
Pearl Amalsadiwala and Mihika Yadav opened the contest against China with a hard-fought 21-19 victory in the first tie. Harsh Mehta and Arjun Singh then added another point for India. Harsh Mehta and Pearl Amalsadiwala secured the third tie after a challenging encounter, before Arjun Singh and Mihika Yadav completed a clean sweep to send India through with a 4-0 scoreline.
Pearl said she was pleased with the team’s execution and progress into the quarterfinals, while also highlighting the experience of playing alongside Mihika and Harsh.
“Really happy with the way we have been executing our plans and making it all the way to the quarterfinals. Playing with Mihika and Harsh has been a great experience for me and Harsh Mehta has been pivotal in his leadership,” she said.
“I am very happy to have played my role for the team and look forward to the quarters. Tomorrow is a crucial day for the rest of the Indian teams, but we are ready for the challenge,” Pearl added.
The Round of 16 encounter against the Philippines was expected to pose a stronger challenge, but the Indian team held its nerve to register a 4-1 victory.
Pearl and Mihika once again delivered in the women’s doubles to give India the opening point. The men’s doubles pair fought hard but narrowly lost the second tie 19-21, allowing the Philippines to level the contest.
India, however, regained control through the next two mixed doubles ties to move 3-1 ahead. Aaliya Ebrahim then produced a dominant performance, defeating her opponent 21-12 to seal India’s passage into the quarterfinals.
India’s progress was not limited to the Pro category. The Masters, Junior and Kids squads also advanced to the quarterfinals, where they will face Vietnam, Chinese Taipei and Australia respectively.
The India Senior team, however, bowed out of the competition after suffering a defeat against New Zealand in the Round of 16.
The India Masters squad secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over China, winning the deciding tie in the final match of the contest. Bhushan Akut and Petulia Balaji dominated the decider 21-9 to book their place in the last eight.
Indian Pickleball Association Treasurer Aalap Sharma praised the performances of the teams and players, saying the squads had displayed determination and pride while representing the country.
“Tomorrow, our Kids, Juniors, Open, and Masters (60+) teams step into the quarterfinals with unstoppable spirit. Each player is giving their absolute best and playing with heart, grit, and pride for the nation,” Sharma said.
He added that the players’ commitment had filled the association with pride and strengthened its belief that India could achieve further success at the tournament.
Indian Pickleball Association President Suryaveer Singh Bhullar also congratulated the players on reaching the quarterfinals, describing the achievement as a strong statement from Team India.
“Congratulations to the squad. Making the quarterfinals is a formidable statement by Team India, and the entire Indian Pickleball Association is backing them to go deep into the final leg of the tournament,” Bhullar said.
He added that players across the various Indian squads had taken responsibility and contributed significantly to the team’s progress.
With several Indian teams still in contention, the quarterfinal stages promise another crucial test for the country’s pickleball contingent in Vietnam.
