Pickleball, a match that has experienced exponential growth in recent years, has made its official league debut in India with the World Pickleball League. The League, an original idea of Gaurav Natekar and Arati Ponnappa Natekar, came to life on January 24, 2025. The league is now at its last stadium, with the team of Priya and Atlee, Bengaluru Jawans, emerging as one of the strongest competitors. The team has a healthy mixture of young players and experienced, including Mauro Garcia, 17, and Marcello Jardim, 51. One of the brilliant stars of the Bengaluru Jawans is Jack Foster, 23, who already has a large experience, having played more than 300 pickleball games.
Jack Foster, who is part of Bengaluru Jawans’ team, spoke of his experience in India and sharing the locker room with his Indian teammate Vrushali Thakare. “This is my first time in India and my first time to play international. It was such a fun experience to see sport grow here. The World Pickleball League was one of my favorite tournaments. Everyone was so favorable, and my teammates and I get on it really well, which, I think, contributed to our success so far. Vrushali has a big Back-Houx.
By thinking about his humble beginnings, Jack said: “I have been playing for six to seven years now. I started during high school gymnasium in the United States, and since then I have seen the growing pickleball.
With Bengaluru Jawans seated at the top of the table and having qualified for the semi-finals, Jack Foster spoke of his link with his teammates and coach Oliver. “Oliver has been incredible and really favorable, encouraging us to believe in ourselves and in us. He reminds us of taking advantage of experience and understanding that it is a privilege to be able to play here,” he added.
The Bengaluru Jawans were in great shape, winning 4 out of 5 links and ending the round scene with 52 points, including a victory on the unbeaten mumbai shell power. The Bengaluru Jawans will face Hyderabad’s superstars in the semi-final 1 and will seek to obtain a place in the final to be held on February 2.
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