The World Pickleball League (WPBL) entered a new chapter today as the Season 2 Player Draft was conducted in Mumbai. All seven teams finalised their eight-member squads from a pool of 114 registered players, representing 25 countries across five continents.
The final roster of 56 players features a mix of experienced athletes and emerging young talent from around the world, representing 18 nationalities, making this WPBL’s most diverse line-up yet. Season 2 introduces a more layered competitive landscape. The draft room was sharper, with teams deploying stronger scouting systems and different strategies to build balanced squads.
Gaurav Natekar, Founder and CEO of WPBL, said, “This draft is reflective of the future we are building. Over a year ago, WPBL was an idea, and now players across continents are choosing this league. The scouting this year was far more evolved, and what excites us most is the surge of young talent entering the system. You can feel a shift in the energy, the ambition, and the belief. Every franchise has been deliberate and strategic, covering all bases with precision. We have witnessed increased participation from Indian players this season, which is encouraging to see. The League is committed towards the development of Indian players and providing a platform and pathway to showcase their talents at the highest stage.”
“Season 2 promises high-octane sporting action mixed with lively entertainment and fan engagement, producing an atmosphere that captures the attention of players, fans, and sponsors alike.”
WPBL is positioned as a sportainment property, where high-speed pickleball is paired with curated fan experiences, live entertainment, and premium hospitality. It blends sport and spectacle, designed to keep audiences engaged both on and off the court—making pickleball not just a match, but a lifestyle experience.
Earlier, the league announced that WPBL Season 2 will be hosted at Jio World Garden, Mumbai, from 24 January to 8 February 2026, transforming the venue into a purpose-built, festival-style pickleball arena.
With revived rivalries, sharper tactics, and a fresh influx of global talent, Season 2 promises to be faster, louder, and more intense than ever before.
FULL TEAM LISTS
BENGALURU JAWANS
Kat Stewart • Dusty Boyer • Brooke Revuelta • Vrushali Thakare • Mauro Garcia • Eungwon Kim • Molly O’Donoghue • Eduardo Irizarry
PUNE UNITED
Vanshik Kapadia • William Sobek • Katie Morris • Madalina Grigoriu • Balint Bako • Thaddea Lock • Sarah Jane Lim • Bartosz Karbownik
MUMBAI PICKLE POWER
Brandon Lane • Glauka Carvajal Lane • Jada Bui • Tejas Mahajan • Max Green • Helen To • Santhosh Narayanan • Sabrina Mendez
HYDERABAD SUPERSTARS
Hong Kit Wong • Seone Mendez • Mayur Patil • Kaitlynn Hart • Louis Laville • Lauren Mercado • Pep Canyadell • Talia Saunders
CHENNAI SUPER CHAMPS
Simone Jardim • Hoang Nam Ly • Carlota Trevino • Sonu Vishwakarma • Tanner Tomassi • Rika Fujiwara • Quan Do • Tea Pejic
DILLI DILLWALE
Max Manthou • Trang Huynh-McClain • Erik Lange • Anuja Maheshwari • Mihae Kwon • Hien Truong • Alejandra Lopez • Rob Cassidy
TEAM JAIPUR
Amanda Hendry • Giang Trinh • Naveen Beasley • Ritam Chawla • Lorena Duknic • Jack Foster • Isabella Nelson • Connie Lee
The World Pickleball League (WPBL), promoted by Natekar Sports and Gaming, is India’s premier franchise-based pickleball league. Founded by former India No. 1 tennis players Gaurav Natekar and Arati Ponnappa Natekar, WPBL successfully launched Season 1 in 2025 with six teams and continues to drive the sport’s growth across the country. With Sony Corporation as a financial and strategic partner, WPBL works closely with the All-India Pickleball Association along with the International Pickleball Federation (IPF) in the USA, and is committed to building a vibrant, community-driven pickleball ecosystem.
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