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Anushka Chhabria, a rising talent in junior pickleball, achieved remarkable success at India’s inaugural Junior Pickleball Championship, securing two gold medals, a silver, and a bronze.
Anushka Chhabria Turned India’s First Junior Pickleball Championship Into a Golden Week. (Source: Special Arrangement)
Anushka Chhabria arrived in Ahmedabad as one of the promising names in junior pickleball. She left with two gold medals, one silver and one bronze. At India’s first-ever Junior Pickleball Championship, the Mumbai youngster emerged as one of the standout performers, winning the U16 Girls Doubles title alongside Mahika Rathod and the U16 Mixed Doubles crown with Panth Thakkar. For Chhabria, the medals were about more than results.
“Honestly, it means a lot. There were players from all over the country and a lot of talented junior players competing. None of the medals came easy. There were tough matches throughout the tournament, but it was also a lot of fun,” she said in an exclusive chat with Pickleball Now.
“Winning those medals means a lot because they are a testament to hard work, preparation and the coordination I had with my partners. It wasn’t easy, but it was definitely a proud feeling,” she added.
The Chemistry Behind Two Gold Medals
Winning one title at a national event is difficult. Winning two demands consistency, adaptability and trust. For Chhabria, the answer was simple: partnership. “I won both my gold medals in the U16 Girls Doubles and U16 Mixed Doubles events, so one of the biggest factors behind that success was the chemistry I shared with my partners.”
Her partnership with Mahika Rathod proved particularly effective. “I played the Girls Doubles with Mahika Rathod and we won every match. We played very consistently, had a clear strategy and managed to execute it in every match. Our goal was simply to enjoy ourselves and play our best pickleball.”
The same approach worked in mixed doubles. “In Mixed Doubles, I partnered with Panth Thakkar. Again, we had great chemistry and were focused on enjoying ourselves on court.”
Even during difficult moments, the pair remained composed. “When we lost a few points, we reminded ourselves that every point is a new point. There were a lot of tough matches, but we just kept going.” “I think that was the most important part of these wins — being on the same wavelength as my partners and having good chemistry on court.”
The championship itself represented a landmark moment for Indian pickleball. Bringing together junior players from across the country, the event offered a glimpse into the sport’s rapidly growing talent pool.
“It was very special to be part of it. It was one of the first tournaments of its kind and brought together players from all over the country. As I mentioned, there was a lot of great talent on display. There were also many new players on the circuit, which made it exciting.”
For Chhabria, the tournament delivered more than medals. “It was a great experience and there were several matches decided on Golden Point, which made the competition even more intense. It was wonderful to see more people taking up pickleball and competing.”
Student, Athlete and Musician
Away from the pickleball court, Chhabria is a Class 10 student trying to balance multiple commitments. “It’s not very easy. Along with school, I have tuitions, coaching sessions and fitness training to manage.”
There is another side to her life as well. “I’m also a musician, so I have to make time for music as well. I play the piano, guitar and ukulele, and I also sing.”
Managing all those responsibilities would be difficult without support. “I love the sport and my parents are a huge help. They support me and help me balance everything.”
A Message to Future Players
As junior pickleball continues to expand in India, Chhabria hopes more young players, especially girls, will take up the sport.
“Pickleball is a really fun sport, but it also requires a lot of hard work. There is a lot of room for growth and huge potential in the sport.”
Her advice is straightforward. “Honestly, I would encourage everyone to give pickleball a try. Once you start playing, it’s difficult to stop because it’s so addictive.”
“It’s a great sport and it teaches you a lot of valuable lessons both on and off the court.”
After a week that yielded four medals and two national titles, Chhabria has every reason to believe that lesson herself.
A Year of Consistency and Growth
Anushka’s success at the Junior Pickleball Championship is the latest chapter in an impressive 2026 season that has established her as one of India’s leading junior players.
In March 2026, she was felicitated by the Cricket Club of India (CCI) for her outstanding performances at the international level during the 2025–26 season.
At the Indian Open in Hyderabad in April, Anushka captured gold medals in the Under-16 Girls Singles and Under-16 Girls Doubles categories, while also adding a bronze medal in Mixed Doubles.
She followed that up with another standout showing at the Maharashtra Open in Mumbai in May, winning gold in the Under-16 Girls Singles and Under-16 Mixed Doubles events, along with a bronze medal in the Women’s Singles Intermediate category.
Those performances have helped her climb to the top of the PWR Rankings in the Under-16 Girls Singles category, where she currently holds the No. 1 national ranking.
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