The inaugural World Pickleball League (WPBL) kicked off with a bang, and Bollywood stars were out in full force to add to the excitement! Filmmaker Prakash Jha, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Riteish Deshmukh, Mandira Bedi, and Atlee Kumar were spotted at a thrilling pickleball match, bringing their energy and enthusiasm to the event.
Samantha looked vibrant in a yellow-and-red jersey, cheering passionately from the stands. Her presence clearly added an extra layer of excitement, and fans couldn’t help but applaud her spirit! Meanwhile, Riteish Deshmukh was all in, rocking the official jersey of his team, Pune United—which he co-owns with wife Genelia Deshmukh. Atlee Kumar was also spotted sporting his team’s jersey, as he proudly supports his team, Bengaluru Jawans, alongside his wife Priya Atlee.
But the excitement didn’t stop there! Other big names like Swiggy and cricketer Rishabh Pant are backing Mumbai Pickle Power, while Rakul Preet and Jackky Bhagnani own the Hyderabad Superstars. With such star-studded ownership, it’s no surprise that the WPBL is setting the stage for an unforgettable inaugural season, which runs from January 24 to February 2, 2025.
From high-energy matches to glitzy celeb sightings, this first season of India’s first global franchise-based pickleball league is definitely one for the books!