Indian Pickleball League 2025: Mumbai Smashers emerge as inaugural IPBL champions, beat Hyderabad Royals by 5-1 in final

Mumbai Smashers, a franchise owned by Absolute Sports, backed by Nazara Technologies, scripted one of the most dramatic comebacks in sports history to win the inaugural edition of the Indian Pickleball League. The Smashers could not win a single tie in their first four outings, but they have ended the tournament as champions.

After knocking the Chennai Super Warriors and Lucknow Leopards out of the competition in the playoffs, the Mumbai Smashers continued their top form to beat the Hyderabad Royals in the grand finale played on December 7. Mumbai beat Hyderabad by 5-1 to win their maiden trophy.

Quang Duong won the men's singles match for Mumbai, and then, he teamed up with Ammol Ramchandani to win the men's doubles rubber. Hyderabad bounced back with a win in the women's singles match, but Allison Harris and Pearl Amalsadiwala's team secured the crucial win for Mumbai in the women's doubles encounter.

Hyderabad could have leveled the scores by winning the Grand Rally, but Mumbai did not let that happen. A convincing win in the Grand Rally meant that Mumbai secured the trophy with a 5-1 victory in the final tie.

Mumbai Smashers player Quang Duong wins the MVP award of the Indian Pickleball League 2025 in male category

Mumbai grabbed the headlines when they went all out and secured Quang Duong's services in the inaugural IPBL auction. Duong did not disappoint as he led the team's charge in all the matches, giving them a headstart in the men's singles category.

For his excellent performance, Duong received the MVP award of IPBL in the men's category. In the women's category, the award went to Megan Fudge of the Hyderabad Royals. Fudge was the only player who managed to earn a point for the Royals in their final tie against the Mumbai Smashers.