Another electrifying evening of sport and entertainment awaits, as Bollywood stars Aamir Khan and Ali Fazal take to the pickleball court for a special exhibition match at the World Pickleball League (WPBL) on February 1st to add more glamour and excitement to the semi-finals of the league.
The two beloved actors will trade the silver screen for the court, putting their reflexes and agility to the test in a fun-filled showdown that promises plenty of thrills and unexpected moments. The actors will be joined by two players from the league in an exhibition of star power and elite pickleball talent kicking off at 7 PM.
The World Pickleball league, brain child of Gaurav Natekar and Arati Ponnappa Natekar with the support from All India Pickleball Association made its debut on January 24, 2025. The league features teams from 6 teams – Mumbai Pickle Power, Pune United, Dilli Dillwale, Bengaluru Jawans, Hyderabad Superstars and Chennai Super Champs with 48 players from 14 countries.
Excited ahead of his Pickleball game, Aamir Khan, added, “Sports, just like cinema, is a great unifier. I am looking forward to the match against my dear friend Ali, and to play alongside some of the world’s best Pickleball players who have already set the courts on fire at the WPBL.”
Against Aamir Khan will be the talented Ali Fazal, “I have had the privilege of sharing the screen with Aamir, and now, getting an opportunity to play one of my favorite sports—Pickleball with him is indeed a pleasure. Aamir is synonymous with perfection, and I am certain he will bring exactly that with his A-game on the court. Also a huge congrats to Gaurav and the entire WPBL team for putting up a terrific sportainment show that has beautifully blended Pickleball with entertainment, making it appealing and reach to a huge audience.”
Gaurav Natekar, Co-Founder and CEO of World Pickleball League added, ““Arati and I are very grateful for the support Aamir has extended to the work we are doing in pickleball and specifically the World Pickleball League. We look forward to having both Aamir and Ali, on court to play alongside our pro players and it promises to be an interesting evening of pickleball and entertainment.”
From pulsating music to jaw-dropping rallies, WPBL has redefined how sports and entertainment collide in one grand spectacle. Notably, WPBL is also making history as the first non-cricket event to be hosted at the iconic CCI Brabourne Stadium in over 15 years, marking a major milestone for Indian sports.
As the league progresses towards its thrilling finale, the addition of this star-studded exhibition match further cements WPBL’s vision of making pickleball a mainstream sensation in India. Whether you’re a die-hard pickleball enthusiast or simply love a celebrity showdown, February 1st at the WPBL promises to be a night to remember. Fans can witness all the WPBL action live from Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium, tickets are live on Swiggy Scenes.
The league has delivered a spectacular blend of high-octane sporting action and top-tier entertainment, keeping audiences hooked with its unique ‘sportainment’ experience. Alongside world class pickleball matches, the league has brought fans closer to the thrill of live entertainment with power-packed performances.
