India’s chief national coach Dhiren Patel capped a successful outing at the Indian Masters by winning two gold medals on the final day of the tournament at the Dinkers Academy in Ahmedabad. Patel clinched the men’s doubles title alongside Suraj Desai after defeating Ravi Ranjan and Ankit Mody, and later won the 40+ men’s singles gold by beating Vinay Sethia 11-5, 11-10 in the final.
The tournament was a PWR 400 event sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association. Patel’s performance came while balancing his role as both player and coach at the venue.
Also Read: Indian Masters: Dhiren Patel-Suraj Desai vs Ravi Ranjan-Ankit Mody – Dhiren-Suraj Claim 30+ Men’s Doubles Title
Patel’s influence extended beyond the court, having recently served as the General Manager of the Bengaluru Blasters at the Indian Pickleball League. His involvement strengthened organisational structures and supported the professional growth of pickleball in India.
Speaking to Pickleball Now after his victories, Patel spoke about the growth of pickleball, particularly in Ahmedabad, and his experience competing at the event.
“This is the Indian Masters 2026 edition at Dinkers, where I coach,” Patel said. “I am a coach and also the national coach for pickleball, so I really enjoyed playing this event. This was the 40-plus singles category, and winning the gold made it very special.”
Patel said staying composed on court had been key to his success. “The winning mantra is to stay calm and enjoy every point,’ he said. “I think that gets you to the finishing line.”
Highlighting the sport’s rapid expansion, Patel pointed to the city’s infrastructure growth. “Pickleball is growing massively in India,” he said. “If I talk about Ahmedabad alone, there have been more than 500 pickleball courts built in one year. That itself shows how big the growth has been.”
Patel said the sport’s accessibility had helped attract players across age groups. “It is easy to start because it is a combination of table tennis, badminton, and lawn tennis,” he said. “The underhand serve, plastic ball, and paddle give players control from the first moment. That is why parents play with their children and families play together.”
Also Read: Indian Masters: Dhiren Patel vs Vinay Sethia 40+ Men’s Singles Final – Dhiren Prevails in Epic Clash
Having spent the last five years playing and coaching pickleball, Patel said his role as national coach came with responsibility and satisfaction. “I am very happy to be the national coach,” he said. “There are many juniors who come to Ahmedabad to train with me, and not just juniors. Adults of all ages are also approaching me to learn the game.”
Patel also reflected on the sport’s journey in India. “There were questions earlier about where this sport was going,” he said. “But after the Indian Pickleball Association received recognition, pickleball has become a genuine career option for athletes in India.”
About Indian Pickleball Association:
The Indian Pickleball Association is the official governing body for pickleball in India and is dedicated to promoting, developing, and organising the sport across the country. The association continues to inspire players of all ages and skill levels to embrace the game through events like the IPA Nationals. IPA is affiliated with the Asian Pickleball Association (APA) and the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF).
About Pickleball World Ranking:
PWR is a national ranking system that spans all age groups, skill divisions, and formats -including singles, doubles, and mixed categories. It serves as the official National Sports Federation Ranking for India. With multiple sanctioned events taking place every week across the country, PWR defines the top Indian players at every level and forms the foundation for team selection at the school, district, state, and national stages.
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(Written by Evince Das)
