Pickleball revolutionises socialising and fitness in Ahmedabad

Pickleball is transforming Ahmedabad, the biggest city in Gujarat. The sport has become a social and fitness phenomenon in the city, quickly replacing late-night hangouts like café visits with a healthier, more active alternative. Blending elements of table tennis, lawn tennis, badminton, and squash, it has gained immense popularity across all age groups. It’s easy to learn and with minimal technical requirements, it has become the go-to activity for residents looking to stay fit while having fun with friends.

With over 50 pickleball facilities across the city, Ahmedabad has fully embraced the trend. Many courts offer international-standard amenities, attracting growing crowds. Rates at these facilities range from ₹300 to ₹2,000 per hour, with more affordable options in the morning and afternoon. The courts typically remain open 24/7, with the majority of people preferring to play after 9 pm, when the social scene is at its peak.

Trushit Thakar, an avid player, shared how pickleball reignited his passion for sports, “I played sports before 8 years and that was cricket, one of my friends invited me to play pickleball. Now, for the past one-and-half years this is the only sport that has got me excited about playing and then age has no bar. You don’t need any technique. If you are not a player, just step into the game and you are good to go. Post-Covid being healthy is important, so playing sports has always been a part of a healthy lifestyle and if you have good friends around you, you are good to go.”

Roop Patel, a real estate developer, mentioned how pickleball has boosted his energy levels, “We play at night, and in the morning, we feel refreshed. It’s a great way to kickstart the day.”

Sameer Singh, co-owner of Vista, a popular pickleball facility, pointed out the growing demand for the sport, “There are over 50 facilities now, and most people prefer playing after 9 pm. With no pubs around, pickleball has become the ideal activity for people to chill and hang out with friends. It’s simple, social, and a great way to unwind.” While Shenal Jhaveri, one of the partners of Shaishya Pulse Arena, shed light on how the sport is not limited to any age groups, driving the point by saying, “Yesterday we had a ten-year-old, and the day before we had a person who was 65, probably 70 years old.”

This surge in pickleball’s popularity reflects a broader shift in Ahmedabad’s social scene, where the game is now a core part of the city’s lifestyle, offering both fitness benefits and an active way to connect with others.

What is pickleball?

Played on a 20 feet by 44 feet court.

Can be played singles (1 player per side) or doubles (2 players per side).

Players hit the ball back and forth, aiming to make it land in the opponent's court.

Points are scored when the ball is not returned properly.

Court Dimensions

Length: 44 feet.

Width: 20 feet.

Non-volley zone (kitchen): 7 feet on each side of the net.

Net Height: 36 inches at the ends, 34 inches in the middle.

Equipment

Paddle: Solid paddle made of wood, composite materials, or graphite.

Ball: Perforated plastic ball (similar to a wiffle ball).

Indoor balls are softer, outdoor balls are more durable with more holes.

Number of Players

Singles: 1 player per side (2 total).

Doubles: 2 players per side (4 total).

Scoring

Points: Pickleball is typically played to 11 points, but games can go up to 15 or 21 points. A team must win by at least 2 points.

Service: In pickleball, players serve underhand. The server must serve diagonally to the opposite side of the court. The server continues serving until their team loses a point. In doubles, each player on the team serves before the serve rotates to the opposing team.

Scoring System: Points can only be scored by the serving team. The receiving team gets the opportunity to serve once the serving team loses a point.

Service Rules

Serve must be underhand and diagonal across the court.

Double Bounce Rule: The ball must bounce once on each side before players can volley.(A shot where the ball is hit before it bounces on the ground.)

Service rotation: Each player on a team serves before the serve rotates to the other team.

Faults

Occur when the ball:

Goes out of bounds.

Doesn’t clear the net.

Is volleyed from the non-volley zone (A 7-foot area on each side of the net where players are not allowed to hit the ball before it bounces, known as the "kitchen.").