Who emerged victorious in the Global Sports Pickleball auction?
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Synopsis
In a thrilling auction for Global Sports Pickleball’s Season 2, Quang Duong from Vietnam clinched the top bid of ₹27 lakh, setting the stage for a competitive landscape in the league. Harsh Mehta stood out as the highest Indian pick at ₹21 lakh, showcasing the rising talent in this fast-growing sport.
Key Takeaways
- Quang Duong tops the auction with ₹27 lakh.
- Harsh Mehta is the highest Indian bid at ₹21 lakh.
- Total spending reached ₹6.6 crore.
- Excitement surrounded both Pro and Challenger Leagues.
- Significant international talent added to the league.
Mumbai, September 8 (NationPress) Quang Duong from Vietnam emerged as the top selection at ₹27 lakh, while Harsh Mehta secured the highest bid of ₹21 lakh among Indian players during the players' auction for the Global Sports Pickleball’s Season 2 Pro & Challenger League held here on Monday.
Quang Duong was acquired by the Mumbai Chhatrapati Warriors, while Megan Fudge from the USA was chosen by Ahmedabad Olympians for ₹25.50 lakh. Jack Munro from the USA went to Jaipur Stallions for ₹25 lakh, Bobbi Oshiro from the USA attracted ₹24.50 lakh from Delhi Snipers, and Roos Van Reek from the Netherlands was taken by the Hyderabad Vikings for ₹23.50 lakh.
This remarkable event saw a total potential expenditure of ₹6.6 crore across 10 teams, marking it as Asia's largest pickleball auction to date.
The top three Indian Pro League selections were: Harsh Mehta, who fetched ₹21 lakh to Chennai Cool Cats; Arjun Singh, who received ₹8 lakh from Nashik Ninjas; and Aditya Ruhela, who was acquired for ₹5 lakh by Jaipur Stallions.
The auction featured intense competition for marquee global signings alongside emerging Indian talent, solidifying pickleball’s status as one of India's rapidly expanding professional sports.
While 19-year-old Quang Duong led the excitement among the youth, seasoned professionals like 38-year-old Megan Fudge brought invaluable international experience to the league. Moreover, the Challenger League also created buzz, with new stars and Indian players stepping into the limelight.
The Pro League consisted of three player categories, while the Challenger League featured two. For the Pro League, starting bids ranged from ₹2.5 lakh to ₹8 lakh, depending on the players’ skill sets.
In the Challenger League, base bids commenced at ₹50,000, with a maximum of ₹1.5 lakh. Due to the players' international experience and popularity, many sold at significantly higher rates.
Each team had a budget of ₹66 lakh to ₹55 lakh for the Pro League and ₹11 lakh for the Challenger League, totaling a spending capacity of ₹6.6 crore across ten teams.
All ten franchises, including Ahmedabad Olympians, Bengaluru Blazers, Chennai Cool Cats, Coimbatore Super Smashers, Delhi Snipers, Hyderabad Vikings, Jaipur Stallions, Kolkata Kingz, Mumbai Chhatrapati Warriors, and Nashik Ninjas, took part in both leagues.
Key highlights include:
- Top Pro League Signings: Quang Duong (₹27L), Megan Fudge (₹25.5L), Jack Munro (₹25L), Bobbi Oshiro (₹24.5L), Roos Van Reek (₹23.5L).
- Top Challenger League Picks: Leah Tauber (₹5.2L), Mihika Yadav (₹4.4L), Alex Emery (₹4.2L).
- Notable Indian Picks: Harsh Mehta (₹21L), Arjun Singh (₹8L), Mihika Yadav (₹4.4L), Aman Patel (₹4L).
The top three Indian Pro League picks were:
- Harsh Mehta – ₹21 lakh – Chennai Cool Cats
- Arjun Singh – ₹8 lakh – Nashik Ninjas
- Aditya Ruhela – ₹5 lakh – Jaipur Stallions
Top three Indian Challenger League selections:
- Mihika Yadav – ₹4.4 lakh – Mumbai Chhatrapati Warriors
- Aman Patel – ₹4 lakh – Jaipur Stallions
- Tejas Gulati – ₹3.7 lakh – Coimbatore Super Smashers
Point of View
The Global Sports Pickleball auction signifies a significant milestone in the growth of this sport in India. With increasing participation and investment, events like these are crucial in promoting talent and enhancing the professional structure of the sport.
NationPress
09/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the highest bid in the Global Sports Pickleball auction?
The highest bid in the auction was ₹27 lakh for Quang Duong from Vietnam.
Who was the top Indian player in the auction?
Harsh Mehta was the top Indian player, fetching a bid of ₹21 lakh.
How much did teams spend in total during the auction?
Teams spent a total of ₹6.6 crore during the auction.
What teams participated in the auction?
Ten teams participated, including Chennai Cool Cats, Jaipur Stallions, and Mumbai Chhatrapati Warriors.
What are the categories in the Pro and Challenger Leagues?
The Pro League has three categories, while the Challenger League has two categories.
