Siddhant Jatia, Founder and CEO, Picklebay
“Pickleball’s growth in urban India is a reflection of a broader shift in consumer behaviour, particularly among Gen Z and young professionals. Attention spans are shrinking, and traditional fitness formats that demand long, repetitive engagement are losing relevance. What’s emerging instead are high-engagement, short-format activities that combine fitness with instant gratification, social interaction, and community. Pickleball fits this perfectly.
At Picklebay, this trend is evident in the data. In under a year, we have facilitated over 10,000 matches across categories, with a significant share of participation coming from first-time or recreational players rather than legacy athletes. We are also seeing strong repeat engagement driven by formats that are quick, competitive, and social by design.
From an ecosystem perspective, the sport benefits from low infrastructure costs, faster court turnaround, and higher player density compared to traditional racquet sports, making it highly scalable across urban markets. What’s unfolding is not just the rise of a sport, but the creation of a participation-led, community-first fitness category. In our view, pickleball is well-positioned to become a mainstream urban wellness habit in India over the next 3-5 years.”
Dr. Hemant Madan, Senior Director & Program Head- Cardiology, Narayana Hospital, Gurugram
“Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports not only in India but worldwide. There are several reasons why this is the fastest-growing sport. Usually, when you look at any sporting activity or any outdoor activity, there are always some advantages and disadvantages. Some are contact sports, which can cause injuries. Some require extreme levels of fitness, and therefore, it is difficult to pursue them with age, and some of them actually can damage your joints and your bone structure.
Why Pickleball is becoming famous is because it combines the advantages of a lot of sports without having too many disadvantages. The first advantage is that it is a relatively moderate level of exercise, and this is something that cardiologists always recommend. We always recommend that you avoid extreme forms of exercise and only indulge in moderate aerobic exercises so that your cardiac endurance is good, but it is not overstretched. I personally am extremely against aggressive forms of exercise. Secondly, it involves movement of the musculoskeletal system and joints and therefore leads to joint stability without causing too much stress or without causing too much damage. The court is smaller, and therefore movements in this sport are relatively shorter. Third, obviously, because it’s a combination of many other sports like badminton, table tennis, and tennis, it improves balance and coordination and therefore leads to better reflexes. It, of course, helps in maintaining muscle mass so you can pursue them when one ages. Many people also indulge in sports because of their desire to maintain their weight and their desire to remain the same size throughout their life. This sport is certainly very good for weight management, too, and you can play it longer than typical gym workouts. Even on a social front, because this is something like a team sport, you interact socially, and therefore, your cognitive and brain benefits continue. And finally, of course, like all sports activities, this leads to better mental health and reduces stress levels, as in any other sport. So overall, if you want longevity, if you want healthy aging, and if you’re worried about sporting activities, whether they are either too slow or too fast, Pickleball is one sport that you can actively look at because it offers several advantages with relatively fewer disadvantages.”
Dr. Sanjeev Chaudhary, Chairman – Cardiology, Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram
“Pickleball’s rapid rise in urban India is more than just a sporting trend; it reflects a welcome shift in how people are approaching fitness, especially in cities where stress, sedentary work, and social isolation are increasingly common. From a cardiologist’s perspective, this is a very encouraging development.
What makes pickleball unique is that it combines moderate-intensity physical activity with strong social engagement. Unlike gym-based workouts, which many people find repetitive or intimidating, pickleball feels enjoyable, accessible, and community-driven. This increases the likelihood that people will stay consistent, something that matters far more for heart health than short bursts of enthusiasm.
For cardiovascular wellness, pickleball offers several benefits. It improves heart rate conditioning, circulation, stamina, balance, and coordination, while also helping with weight management, blood pressure control, and blood sugar regulation. For many middle-aged adults, especially those who may not be comfortable with high-impact sports, it provides an excellent form of exercise that is active but not excessively strenuous.
Another important factor is its mental health advantage. Urban professionals today face high levels of stress, which is itself a contributor to hypertension, poor sleep, and long-term cardiovascular risk. Because pickleball is social and recreational, it can reduce stress hormones, improve mood, and encourage emotional well-being, an often overlooked pillar of preventive cardiology.
That said, enthusiasm should be balanced with caution. As with any sport, sudden intense activity without preparation can trigger injuries or, in high-risk individuals, cardiac events. People above 40, or those with diabetes, hypertension, obesity, smoking history, or prior heart disease, should ideally undergo a basic health check-up before taking up regular play. A proper warm-up, hydration, and gradual progression are essential.”
