Hyderabad Royals announce a dominant IPBL 2025 roster; On the right, Aditthya Ramakrishnan, President, along with Manickam Kailaimurugan, Vice President of Hyderabad Royals.
Photo : TN Sports Desk
In the City of Nizams, Hyderabad, where royalty is not just history but a way of life, the Hyderabad Royals have crafted a squad befitting their name – graceful in style, fierce in ambition, and rich in talent as they gear up for the inaugural Indian Pickleball League (IPBL) from December 1 to 7 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi.
Leading this regal charge is Ben Newell, whose explosive athleticism and refined shot-making mirror the city’s legacy of strength wrapped in sophistication. His ability to command singles rallies with authority makes him the Royals’ natural spearhead.
Joining him is the majestic presence of Megan Fudge, an international star whose composure, balance, and tactical brilliance bring elegance to the roster. With her on court, Hyderabad gains a calming but deadly force in both doubles and mixed doubles.
The Royals’ Indian heart beats through Divyanshu Kataria and Tejas Gulati, two rising stars whose bold gameplay and relentless intensity echo the modern spirit of Hyderabad – dynamic, youthful, and unapologetically ambitious. Their versatility enhances the team’s tactical flexibility across formats.
In the women’s squad, Snehal Patil offers reliability and steady temperament, making her a trusted presence in pressure moments. Alongside her, Shreya Chakraborty, transitioning from tennis, adds raw power, sharp instincts, and a fast-improving Pickleball IQ – an exciting Nawabi spark ready to shine on a bigger stage.
Together, this Hyderabad Royals squad beautifully blends Nizami tehzeeb with competitive hunger. With international pedigree, domestic firepower, and a roster carved with royal precision, the Royals are not just entering the league; they’re arriving with the poise of a dynasty preparing to rule. As the IPBL countdown begins, expect nothing less than Nawabi flair meeting championship intent.
Hyderabad Royals – Squad by Category
| Category | Players |
| Super Star Male International | Ben Newell |
| Super Star Female International | Megan Fudge |
| Super Star Male Indian | Divyanshu Kataria |
| Super Star Female Indian | Snehal Patil |
| Rising Star Male | Tejas Gulati |
| Rising Star Female | Shreya Chakraborty |
Aditthya Ramakrishnan, President of Hyderabad Royals, looked elated after being able to assemble a star-studded squad ahead of the inaugural season. With eyes on the coveted title, Ramakrishnan believes that the IPBL is poised to create history and will be right next to IPL in the next three to five years.
His confidence comes from the fact that there is a large organic fanbase for the sport, paving the way for pickleball to be one of the best sports for anyone to get into. While he did concede that cricket in India has a rich history and thinking of replacing that would be far-fetched, however, looking at the growing popularity of the sport, pickleball’s potential is very high in India.
About the Indian Pickleball League
The Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), launched by The Times Group, is India’s official and only national league for Pickleball, sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA), which is recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India.
Set to debut from December 1–7, 2025, at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, the inaugural edition will establish Delhi as the epicentre of India’s next major sporting revolution. The event will bring together top Indian and international players, franchise-owned city teams, and millions of fans through live and digital platforms.
About Indian Pickleball Association:
The Indian Pickleball Association is the official governing body for pickleball in India and is dedicated to promoting, developing, and organising the sport across the country. The association continues to inspire players of all ages and skill levels to embrace the game through events like the IPA Nationals. IPA is affiliated with the Asian Pickleball Association (APA) and the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF).
About Pickleball World Ranking:
PWR is a national ranking system that spans all age groups, skill divisions, and formats -including singles, doubles, and mixed categories. It serves as the official National Sports Federation Ranking for India. With multiple sanctioned events taking place every week across the country, PWR defines the top Indian players at every level and forms the foundation for team selection at the school, district, state, and national stages.
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‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.timesnownews.com ’
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