# Harsh Mehta to lead India at 2026 Pickleball World Cup

2026-08-07T16:06:36+00:00 | Sports | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

Harsh Mehta, a former table tennis player from Mumbai, has been named captain of India's professional team for the 2026 Pickleball World Cup. He recalls starting when the country had only five or six courts; now he estimates over 600. Mehta, who holds an engineering degree and an MBA, switched to pickleball full-time after finishing his studies. Separately, 17-year-old Purvansh Patel from Gujarat will make his debut in the Under-18 team at the same World Cup, to be held in Da Nang, Vietnam from August 30 to September 6. He is training under coach Dhiren Patel in Ahmedabad, doing 3-4 hours daily with meditation for mental preparation. His long-term goal is to become world No.1 in pro men's singles.

## Coverage

- timesnownews.com <https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/pickleball/from-curious-beginner-to-india-captain-harsh-mehtas-pickleball-journey-exclusive-article-155372333>
- timesnownews.com <https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/pickleball/17-year-old-purvansh-patel-ready-for-his-big-moment-as-pickleball-world-cup-beckons-article-155386535>

Tags: captaincy, Harsh Mehta, Indian pickleball, Olympic sports, Pickleball World Cup, sports manufacturing
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