Your Questions Answered

Why Host Games?

The answer lies in The Origin Story, as published in The Founder's Journal. A whole set of reasons and circumstances led me to this point. You could say my 'Why' is complicated, but if it weren’t, would it be authentic? I believe we must make the most of this life, as it is the only one we are given.

Are You a Coach or a Pro Player?

This is where folks often confuse a community with 'coaching programs'. Anyone can run a community—even a 15-year-old high school kid. Coaching is reserved for the pros. What the Bangalore Pickleball Community (BPC) offers is a platform to play and connect with like-minded players. Your skills will develop over time, especially if you battle against advanced players. However, we cannot promise that you will play at the national level. Our games are designed for recreation, movement, and stress relief.

Who is This Community Designed For?

This community is for everyone who wants some movement in their daily routine. It is designed for working professionals and adults who need daily exercise. As young adults in college, you may have more strenuous sports like Cricket, Soccer, Tennis, and Hockey to build strength and endurance. As we age, it becomes harder to sustain these sports without injuries. Pickleball has its set of injuries, but they are generally milder and can be managed with the right sports accessories and care.

Why Pickleball?

The simple answer is that Pickleball is a universal sport that serves everyone from ages 6 to 80 and beyond. It is also the easiest game to organize and manage. Unlike Cricket, where finding an empty ground is a huge challenge in Bangalore, Pickleball has become a lifestyle sport in India, similar to its rise in the US.

I don’t have a background in Tennis, although I was once gifted a tennis racquet by friends. I grew up playing Cricket, Badminton, Volleyball, and later, Table Tennis. My skills from these sports have all come into play. Every sport gives you transferable skills. Cricket helped me excel in Baseball and Softball, while Badminton and Table Tennis helped me pick up Pickleball. Tennis players do have an advantage on the court due to their ability to drive with strength.

Did You Envision Starting a Pickleball Community While in Sydney?

Not really. I was primarily looking to get some movement outside the gym, de-stress, and connect with new people in Sydney. My pickleball game there was more untethered. Something about the Australian protein-rich food I consumed allowed me to jump high and execute badminton-style smashes, intimidating my older opponents. I never anticipated all of this—it wasn’t directly in the works.

Why Don’t You Host Games for Beginners?

The simple answer is that beginners are not suited for DUPR games. Some rush to register for tournaments while still learning the basics, even getting a starting DUPR rating. However, they may find DUPR games challenging over time. They will feel constant pressure to perform without completing their learning journey.

In DUPR-rated games, it is no longer just a win-loss formula. You must win well to elevate your DUPR rating. This method assesses performance better but places unnecessary pressure on players just starting out. I played my first DUPR game after 8–10 months of Pickleball in Sydney. Bangalore has many tournaments every weekend, so players here are eager to get onto the DUPR Leaderboard.

I believe newbies should practice for at least 2–4 months before venturing into DUPR territory. I restrict newbies who have played less than 50 hours for their sake and for the sake of other players on court. Our DUPR games should work for everyone.

Why Do You Only Host DUPR Games?

I hosted non-competitive games until April 2025 and then realized something was missing. People showed up to play, but there was nothing to aspire to. DUPR gave them a goal to reach a certain level.

Many of us working in various industries had sporting dreams that never materialized. I would have loved to play women’s cricket for my country, and I believe I would have excelled. Pickleball, particularly through DUPR, offers us a 'second chance' to redeem ourselves on the court. While my chances were better in Cricket, other players today can develop a stronger skill set in Pickleball and achieve what they couldn’t earlier. DUPR Pickleball is the gateway to broken sports dreams.

Comparing the Pickleball Scenes in Bangalore and Sydney

Honestly, there wasn’t much of a Pickleball scene in Sydney. We played on indoor basketball courts, and everything was self-serve. Organizers would unlock the storage room, and we would help set up the nets and court boundaries. We learned to distinguish between basketball lines and Pickleball ones. There were no official Pickleball courts or venues.

In contrast, the Pickleball scene in Bangalore is thriving. There is so much action every day. My community runs limited-hour games at multiple venues, but many other venues, tournament organizers, and hosts exist. If you’re a millionaire who doesn’t need to work, you could play Pickleball all day and hop between venues. The concept of a “Pickleball court crawl” is now popular, with many players in Bangalore participating.

Surprising, Given Australia’s Sporting Reputation?

Definitely. My sports ambitions were fulfilled in Sydney, and I cherish the experience. However, the sports Australians love are quite different. They possess incredible strength, motivation, and endurance. I’ve seen Australian teenagers and 70-year-olds excel in sports. It’s in their blood. Being around them inspires you to engage in physically demanding activities.

I once walked 35 km in a single day on The Royal Coast Track, which took me 9 hours, including a post-lunch nap. I wouldn’t have achieved this if it weren’t considered ‘normal’ to do that walk in a day. Many Sydneysiders have done that walk multiple times.

Their favorite sports are played outdoors in spacious areas, fresh air, and sunlight. Footie, Rugby, Cricket, Tennis, Soccer, Baseball, Softball, Netball, Volleyball—the list goes on. Indoor Pickleball and Basketball come second to these sports.

This explains why I was one of the youngest players in the Pickleball scene not too long ago. Younger adults and kids are out there getting bruised on fields.

Do You Think Anything Needs to Change for Pickleball and Other Sports in India?

I believe India is becoming a leader in Pickleball, second only to the US, the pioneers of the game. The country is doing well in building beautiful new courts. The future for Pickleball in India looks bright.

However, we face challenges in growing other sports. Space is limited, as many players compete for ground access. “Box Cricket,” which I first encountered in Sydney, is fascinating but far from playing real Cricket on a sizeable ground. Starting sports like Baseball and Softball seems out of reach right now, but I hope this changes with upcoming generations.

Nutrition Concerns

Nutrition is a significant issue. Many Indians are meat-averse, making it difficult to compete with physically stronger international opponents. The quality of protein we consume impacts our performance on the field or court. I speak from experience and that of my meat-loving friends in Sydney. Supplements can only take you so far. We may have to choose between eating quality food and gaining weight or dieting and running out of steam too soon. A shift is happening in India, with fitness becoming a prime pastime for many, but we have a long way to go before we consistently outperform foreign athletes in all sports.

Why Bangalore?

Bangalore is where I first flourished as a corporate professional. I was born and raised in Mangalore, not far from here, and have many bittersweet memories in this city. I worked for eight corporate organizations here and met countless people before starting BPC. Today, Bangalore is home to one of the most vibrant Pickleball communities in India, and I’m proud to be part of its growth story.

Join us at the Bangalore Pickleball Community (BPC) to discover the depths of your abilities on the court and conquer new heights on the DUPR Leaderboard.