Two Indian teens to debut at Pickleball World Cup in Vietnam

Aarin Ballani, 11, and Mahika Rathod, 14, have been selected to represent India at the Pickleball World Cup in Vietnam. Aarin, a Class 7 student in Mumbai, won gold in four categories at the Junior Pickleball Championships in Ahmedabad to earn his place in the U-14 squad. Mahika, from Surat, secured her spot through the same selection process and will compete in the U-14 category.

Both athletes switched to pickleball after playing tennis. Aarin told Pickleball Now he wants to test himself against the world's best and is especially curious about players from smaller countries. Mahika, who began playing two years ago, trains three to four hours daily and attended a preparatory camp in Mumbai. She said representing India is a proud and emotional moment.

Aarin aims for a team win and an individual U-12 gold, while Mahika is focused on a gold medal for herself and her team. The Pickleball World Cup is scheduled for this August.