The stage is set for a grand finale in the inaugural season of the Indian Pickleball League (IPBL). Hyderabad Royals and Mumbai Smashers will face off on Sunday at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall to crown the first-ever champion, following a series of dramatic and hard-fought knockout matches.
Play-In Drama and Knockout Entry
The road to the final was paved with intense competition right from the league stage. A three-way tie for the fourth place spot forced a high-stakes Play-In round to determine the final knockout contender. In this preliminary battle, Mumbai Smashers first edged past Capital Warriors Gurgaon in a nail-biting 25-24 Grand Rally victory. They then secured their playoff berth by defeating Bengaluru Blasters 25-22. Bengaluru later claimed fifth place by beating Gurgaon 25-21 in the placement rally.
Qualifier 1: Hyderabad's Stunning Comeback
In the first Qualifier, Chennai Super Warriors seemed to be cruising towards the final. They built a commanding 2-0 lead, thanks to a singles win by Mitch Hargreaves followed by a victory in the men's doubles. However, the Hyderabad Royals mounted an incredible fightback. The turning point came when Megan Fudge pulled off a major 15-13 upset against the previously unbeaten Roos van Reek in the women's singles. Fudge then partnered with Shreya Chakraborty to win the women's doubles, leveling the tie. Hyderabad completed their remarkable comeback by sealing the match with a 21-17 win in the decisive Grand Rally, booking their direct ticket to the final.
Mumbai's Dream Run to the Final
The Mumbai Smashers, having fought their way through the Play-In, carried their momentum into the Eliminator against Lucknow Leopards. They surged ahead 2-0, but Lucknow fought back valiantly to level the score. Unfazed, Mumbai held their nerve to clinch the tie 21-18 in the Grand Rally. This victory set up a Qualifier 2 clash with the stunned Chennai Super Warriors. Riding high on confidence, Mumbai continued their impressive form, overcoming Chennai and securing their place in the championship match with another strong 21-15 Grand Rally performance.
The Final Showdown Awaits
This sets up a captivating final between two teams that have shown tremendous resilience. Hyderabad Royals demonstrated championship mentality by coming back from the brink against Chennai. Meanwhile, Mumbai Smashers have been on a fairytale run, winning three consecutive knockout matches under pressure. All eyes will now be on the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall this Sunday as these two determined squads compete for the historic first Indian Pickleball League title.
