Racquet sport Padel looks to up the game in cricket-crazy India

Mumbai: Padel is fast gaining popularity in India and early backers of the sport that blends elements of tennis and squash expect franchise-based leagues, corporate support, creation of infrastructure and expansion beyond metros to further boost adoption.

While it is still a niche sport in a country known for its cricket mania, the padel ecosystem has expanded rapidly in recent years, gaining traction in cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Chandigarh and Bengaluru. According to Hudle’s India Padel Report 2026, the number of courts in India has increased to around 500 courts now from 100 in 2023, while the number of players has expanded to 100,000 from just about 1,000.