Another thrilling evening of sport and entertainment is set to unfold, as Bollywood stars Aamir Khan and Ali Fazal prepare to battle it out on the pickleball court for a special exhibition match at the World Pickleball League (WPBL) semi-finals on February 1st. The two beloved actors will swap the silver screen for the court, testing their reflexes and agility in a fun-filled showdown that promises plenty of excitement and unexpected moments. The exhibition match will feature both actors alongside two professional players from the league, starting at 7 PM.
The World Pickleball League, the brainchild of Gaurav Natekar and Arati Ponnappa Natekar, with support from the All India Pickleball Association, made its debut on January 24, 2025. The league comprises six 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 shared, “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.”
Facing Aamir Khan will be the talented Ali Fazal, who said, “I have had the privilege of sharing the screen with Aamir, and now, getting an opportunity to play one of my favourite 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 reaching a huge audience.”
Gaurav Natekar, Co-Founder and CEO of the 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, with tickets available 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.
