What Is Pickleball And Why Are Indians Suddenly Hating On It?
Last Updated:
Pickleball, a sport that combines tennis, table tennis, and badminton, has found a sudden rise in traction and gained online popularity on the Indian social media.
Is it badminton? Is it tennis? Is it table tennis? Oh, it's pickleball! If you haven't been online recently, let us introduce you to pickleball. The sport has been gaining traction and popularity on Indian social media, though not always for flattering reasons. For one, netizens biased towards traditional tennis and badminton are having a hard time accepting that pickleball is a real sport.
But why?
Pickleball
The game originated in 1965 in a home's backyard when Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum decided to entertain their families by improvising a game using ping-pong paddles, a plastic ball, and a badminton court with a lowered net. As the game slowly but surely gained popularity, it was accepted and formalised by the USA Pickleball Association in 1984.
The refined, non-improvised version of pickleball that we see today isn't far from what its originators had put together to make their boring day an entertaining one.
The widely played sport uses a cocktail of three global sports: tennis, table tennis, and badminton. Armed with a wooden (or composite material) paddle, the player smacks a perforated ball across a low net. The game aims to make rules 'less strict" for players. For one, the ball has to bounce once on each side of the court before volleying it. The court, which is the size of a badminton court, also has a non-volley zone near the net to avoid aggressive smashes.
janta, there have been viral reels on Instagram showcasing the pickleball courts that have come up in the Delhi-NCR area and an hour of play, as claimed by some, could set you back by as much as Rs 800.
What we can say with certainty is that the search for pickleball is in its peak era compared to the previous five years on Google Trends in India.
Google Trends
'After seeing this up close I hereby declare pickleball is an absolute joke of a sport. The ball is no speed, no bounce, the paddle has no power. Playing catch catch with a toddler is more testing, (sic)" a user on X wrote.
After seeing this up close I hereby declare pickleball is an absolute joke of a sport. The ball is no speed, no bounce, the paddle has no power. Playing catch catch with a toddler is more testing. pic.twitter.com/eXZS6yEPi9 — Aman (@AmanHasNoName_2) June 26, 2025
'pickleball is the matcha of sports," wrote another user who goes by the handle @avgspacelover on social media platform 'X'.
'I've played tennis, badminton, and squash for years. Then I played Pickleball a few weeks ago. I have no idea how this is even a real sport. It requires almost no physical fitness or agility. I was dominating without even playing it before," user @LifeMathMoney reviewed the game after trying it for the first time.
Do we have the trend's origin?
'Pickleball slander on TL? Apparently some fellas in Bengaluru are playing it for 'networking purposes"," quipped @ugach_kahitarii.
Something is better than nothing.
Hey, at least you are off your couch and being active.
'pickleball is actually very cool because it is fun to play, and has gotten thousands of people off their couches. people hating on a fun little game are either pseudo-purists of another equally stupid but more challenging racket sport or just contrarians without a cause, (sic)" came @paarugsethi in sport's defense.
'People hating on pickleball bcz it is an easy sport don't realise that at least some people have started doing physical activity bcz of this.
People in 30s, 40s and 50s playing again bcz of availability and ease of playing. Something is better than nothing! (sic)"
'Reminder for haters: Old person's sport aka Pickleball burns more calories and keeps you fitter than being a keyboard warrior. Pickleball is slow. Yeah try playing low and see if your back and quads don't get a pull," chimed in another.
Indian Celebrities Spotted
The popular Indian couple Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma were spotted in May playing pickleball.
Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma playing pickleball. 😄 pic.twitter.com/3gMTlroIXP — Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 21, 2025
Are you planning to try pickleball, or will the purist in you join the social media criticism of the sport?
About the Author
Anurag Verma
Anurag Verma, News Editor at News18.com, works independently for the Viral section. Bollywood, Cricket, Science, Tech, YouTube, Reddit, Meme Origins and everything Pop-culture are his forte. He covers humourous...Read More
News18's viral page features trending stories, videos, and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!
tags :
Pickleball
Location :
New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
June 28, 2025, 12:01 IST
News viral What Is Pickleball And Why Are Indians Suddenly Hating On It?
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
9 minutes ago
- Time of India
FWICE Calls Diljit Dosanjh Security Threat to India Over Border 2 Shoot
RAJKUMMAR RAO TO PLAY SOURAV GANGULY IN BIOPIC | 'NOW THAT DADA SAID IT…' It's finally official, Rajkummar Rao will step into the shoes of cricket legend Sourav Ganguly for his highly awaited biopic! The National Award-winning actor confirmed the news after Ganguly hinted at it earlier. Rajkummar called it a 'huge responsibility' and admitted he's nervous but excited. With the film set to capture Ganguly's iconic journey and the transformation of Indian cricket, fans are in for something unforgettable. From learning Bengali from wife Patralekhaa to prepping for the pitch, Rajkummar is all in 399 views | 2 days ago
News18
12 minutes ago
- News18
Jack Betts AKA Henry Balkan Of Spider-Man Dies At 96 In LA
Last Updated: Veteran actor Jack Betts, known for spaghetti Westerns and Spider-Man, passed away at 96 in Los Osos, California. Hollywood veteran Jack Betts, remembered for his iconic roles in spaghetti Westerns and as Henry Balkan in Spider-Man (2002), has died at the age of 96. According to People, his nephew Dean Sullivan confirmed that the actor passed away in his sleep on June 19 at his home in Los Osos, California. Following news of his passing, the Beverly Hills Playhouse honoured him in an emotional tribute on Instagram: 'Our beloved Jack Betts passed away peacefully at home." The heartfelt post added, 'There was only ever one like this, and we are the richer for having his presence in our theatre. Rest in peace, Jack." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Beverly Hills Playhouse (@beverlyhillsplayhouse) Fans of Everybody Loves Raymond also expressed their grief online, and several admirers praised Betts' depth and versatilitym particularly in his Western roles. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Everybody Loves Raymond 360 (@everybodylovesraymond360) Betts, who began his journey in the world of acting after being inspired by Laurence Olivier's Wuthering Heights performance in 1939, had a career that spanned stage, film, and television. He was just 10 when his family relocated from New Jersey to Miami, where his love for theatre took root. He later pursued acting at the University of Miami before making his Broadway debut in Richard III. The 1960s saw Betts transition into international fame, particularly in Italy, where he featured in several spaghetti Westerns. Among them was Sugar Coat (1966), directed by Franco Giraldi. His theatre streak continued with a memorable three-year stint as the lead in Broadway's Dracula from 1977 onward. While many remember him from television hits like Frasier, Friends, Seinfeld, and Everybody Loves Raymond, Betts gained a new generation of fans through his brief but notable appearance alongside Willem Dafoe in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man, where he played Henry Balkan, a board member of Oscorp. Later in his career, Betts appeared in shows like My Name Is Earl, Recovery Road, and Good Trouble in 2019. But off-screen, his friendships were just as memorable — especially with Everybody Loves Raymond star Doris Roberts. The two shared a home until Roberts' passing in 2016. She also directed Screen Test: Take One, a play written by Betts that was inspired by the world of soap operas. Betts is survived by his sister Joan, who is set to celebrate her 100th birthday in November, as well as his nephew Dean and nieces Lynee and Gail. First Published:
News18
12 minutes ago
- News18
Shefali Jariwala's Death: Did Paras Chhabra Predict Her Demise? Old Video Goes Viral
Last Updated: After Shefali Jariwala's tragic death, an old clip of Paras Chhabra predicting her 'sudden demise' via kundali has shocked fans. As the entertainment industry continues to mourn the untimely demise of actress and Bigg Boss 13 contestant Shefali Jariwala, an old video clip featuring her co-contestant Paras Chhabra has resurfaced online, sending fans into a state of disbelief and shock. In the clip, Paras can be seen conducting a kundali (birth chart) reading for Shefali inside the Bigg Boss house — and what was once a casual astrological interaction has now taken on an eerie, spine-chilling tone in the wake of Shefali's passing. In the video, Paras reads Shefali's astrological chart and points to a particularly ominous planetary alignment. 'Aapke 8th house mein chandra, buddh aur ketu baithe huye hain. Chandra and Ketu ka combination sabse bura hota hai. The 8th house also indicates loss, sudden death, fame, hidden mysteries, and tantric-related things, too. Aapke liye chandra aur ketu ka bura toh hai hi aur sath mein baith gaya hai buddh. This indicates anxiety and neurological problems," Paras says. His words — once perhaps brushed off as part of a quirky housemate interaction — have taken on a chilling resonance in light of recent events. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Film Window (@ What makes this clip even more unsettling is how Paras's astrological prediction eerily aligns with what Shefali herself had once shared about her health. In an interview, Shefali had openly spoken about her past struggle with epilepsy and how she overcame it. 'My first seizure I got was when I was 15 in the tenth grade. There are medications that treat this neurological disorder. You have to make certain lifestyle changes. Meditation and yoga help. You have to learn how to calm yourself," she said, speaking candidly about her journey. She added, 'Today, I'm 20 years epilepsy free, and I spread a lot of awareness about it. You need medical treatment, and it can be cured." In that same conversation, Shefali had proudly explained how she took control of her health with treatment and lifestyle changes, noting the importance of meditation and awareness. She had become a vocal advocate for epilepsy awareness, drawing from her own personal story as an example of resilience and recovery. The resurfacing of both the kundali reading and Shefali's interview has left fans reflecting on the mysterious ways in which life unfolds. Many are calling it a tragic coincidence, while others are grappling with the uncomfortable questions such synchronicities raise. Regardless, Shefali Jariwala's honesty about her struggles and strength in overcoming them remain etched in the hearts of her admirers. As fans revisit her words and that old clip, the collective feeling is one of deep respect, sorrow, and a haunting sense of fate. First Published:
