Anmol Dash and Kabir Hans became Open Men’s Doubles champions at the Odisha State Selection Trials after a dominant performance in the final in Bhubaneswar on September 27. The duo defeated Yashraj Nayak and Anshuman Babu 15-3 to secure the gold medal at the Indian Pickleball Association-sanctioned PWR 400 event.
The win was a very strong finish for Dash and Hans in one of the key draws in the state selection tournament. Their composed performance in the title match allowed them to take control early and finally win out in a convincing way. Yashraj Nayak and Anshuman Babu got the silver medal after the final defeat.
Dash And Hans Deliver In The Final
The Open Men’s Doubles final was decided with a 15-3 scoreline and Dash and Hans maintained their composure throughout the match. The pair were able to win and thus finish their campaign as champions.
A 15-3 scoreline for the two teams in the final underlined the gulf between the two teams and Dash and Hans made the most of their chance to take top place in the draw by winning the top place. Their ability to remain consistent in the title match was a key factor as they won the gold medal at the Odisha State Selection Trials.
Nayak and Babu had the chance to compete for the title after winning the tournament, but the pair ended as runners-up and took home the silver medal.
Odisha State Selection Trials Provide Competitive Platform
Odisha State Selection Trials brought together pickleball players from different categories at the IPA-sanctioned PWR 400 event. It was an opportunity for athletes to compete against strong foes and build their match-ups to be placed in the sport's competitive ranking system.
State selection trials are an important part of the competitive pickleball calendar and enable players to get tournament experience and to test their skills in pressure situations. For players competing in doubles, coordination, communication, and consistency are very important, making the Open Men’s Doubles draws a very demanding format.
Bhubaneswar hosted the competition on September 27, giving local and visiting players another platform to compete in an organised, sanctioned event.
Gold Medal Caps Successful Campaign
For Dash and Hans, the Open Men’s Doubles title was a successful ending of the Odisha State Selection Trials for them. The fact that winning the final by a large margin ensured that they ended up at the top of the podium.
Their victory also adds another factor to the growing competitive landscape of pickleball in India. With more sanctioned tournaments going on across the country, players are getting opportunities to compete regularly while building their experience in singles, doubles, and mixed formats.
The PWR 400 classification also puts the tournament in the ecosystem of competitive pickleball in India. As a result, the competitions at sanctioned events provide a competitive framework for players to measure against other players from different parts of the country.
Yashraj Nayak And Anshuman Babu Take Silver
While Dash and Hans won the championship, Yashraj Nayak and Anshuman Babu finished as Open Men’s Doubles runners-up in the tournament. The duo secured the silver medal when their run ended in the championship match.
But finishing second at a state selection event is still a great achievement for the duo in a competitive doubles championship. Dash and Hans were able to contend for the top prize in the final, and Dash and Hans ultimately got the better result.
The outcome also indicates the competitive nature of the men's doubles category in which partnerships can be at the heart of tournament results.
Indian Pickleball Association And PWR Ranking System
The Indian Pickleball Association, or IPA, is the national body that organizes and promotes pickleball competitions in India. The association organises and sanctions pickleball events at all levels and ages as the sport grows in popularity across the country.
PWR is a national ranking system for various age groups, skill divisions, and formats (singles, doubles, and mixed doubles). In addition, sanctioned tournaments from all over the country provide players with the opportunities to compete within this ranking system.
Odisha State Selection Trials were conducted as a PWR 400 event held by the Indian Pickleball Association. Such competitions provide the players with a structured pathway to gain competitive exposure while playing in recognised tournaments.
Pickleball Continues To Expand In India
In India, pickleball remains popular, and tournaments and organized competitions have made players more involved. State and national level events have allowed for a competitive environment for players and skill groups in different age groups.
The Odisha State Selection Trials are part of this larger competition ecosystem. By hosting an IPA-sanctioned PWR 400 event, Bhubaneswar provided players with a structured tournament space.
For Dash and Hans, the event ended with the biggest prize available in their category. Their 15-3 victory over Nayak and Babu won the Open Men’s Doubles gold medal and capped their campaign with a strong final performance.
As the Indian pickleball tournament calendar grows, results from the Odisha State Selection Trials will be of great significance for players getting their competitive records and progressing through the sport's ranking system. At present, the focus is on Anmol Dash and Kabir Hans, who won Open Men’s Doubles on September 27.
