The Indian team’s performance at the 2026 Pickleball World Cup in Da Nang, Vietnam, has been praised by Aditya Khanna, treasurer of the Global Pickleball Federation. India took fourth place in the global tournament with 41 medals, including seven gold medals, 17 silver medals and 17 bronze medals.
Khanna took to Instagram to congratulate Team India and reflect on the importance of the campaign. While highlighting the country’s final position and medal tally, he said the athletes’ passion, discipline and resilience were equally important aspects of their success. His message was for the players who competed in Vietnam but also for the whole ecosystem that has been working to strengthen pickleball in India.
“4th in the World. 41 Medals. A journey to be proud of,” Khanna wrote in his post. India’s medals collection included seven golds, 17 silver medals and 17 bronze medals, which is evidence of the country’s growing presence on the global pickleball stage.
The tournament in Da Nang provided Indian players with a chance to compete with some of the world’s top pickleball players. A fourth place result of 41 medals is a significant result for a sport that has been steadily spreading across India. Khanna also stressed the collective effort behind the campaign rather than the final medal number.
The GPF treasurer congratulated every member of the Indian team - players, captains, coaches and managers. He said they represented the country with great pride and credited their determination for helping India achieve a strong position in the global competition.
Khanna also thanked people and organisations associated with Indian pickleball. He specifically thanked Vineet Jain, Managing Director of Times Group, for his belief in and support for the sport in India. Bennett University also received recognition for its sponsorship, as well as Pickleball Now for its coverage of the tournament.
Further thanks were given to Shaleen Jain and Lucknow Leopards for their continued support, and to GoAthletiq for Team India jerseys and bags. Khanna’s message showed how sponsors, teams, media organisations and other stakeholders can be very influential in helping athletes compete on the international stage.
He also expressed gratitude to the Indian Pickleball Association and the leadership and support team of the Indian Pickleball Association. Khanna named IPA President Suryaveer Singh, Ashish Khanna, Aalap Sharma, Dilip Mohanty, Nazneen, Dhiren, Amrita, Manish Rao, Rahul Belwal, Vikas and Vivek Parihar as some of the people working on the ground and behind the scenes during the campaign.
Khanna said India’s journey towards World Cup success is a result of not only the tournament itself but also the IPA state teams and the people who work on player development and grassroots pickleball in the country. Their work, he said, is building the foundation for India to be even more powerful in the sport.
The fourth place result is also more important than the 41 medals won in Vietnam. For Indian pickleball that is a sign of growing participation, increasing organisational support and the development of a broader competitive ecosystem. The convergence of elite-level competition and grassroots development in the country would be beneficial.
Khanna ended his message on a very positive note and suggested that the latest feat should be viewed as a step in India’s pickleball journey rather than its destination. His “4th today. Higher tomorrow” comment described the ambition in the sport and its athletes.
Team India’s 2026 Pickleball World Cup campaign has so far been very convincing to the point of optimism with seven gold medals and 41 medals overall. With players, coaches, administrators, sponsors and grassroots organisations working together, Indian pickleball will be able to build on the momentum from Da Nang and be even more effective in future international tournaments.
