Brands
Hyderabad Vikings, Delhi Snipers triumph at Global Sports Pickleball finale
MUMBAI: Global Sports Pickleball (GSPB) has wrapped up a landmark week in Mumbai with the successful conclusion of Season 2 of the Pro and Challenger Pickleball League, alongside India’s Biggest Pickleball Grand Slam 2025, cementing its position as the largest pickleball event ever held in India and Asia.
Hosted at the TSG x Global Sports Pickleball Center at Andheri Sports Complex, the week-long spectacle drew players, team owners, partners and fans for a packed schedule of high-intensity matches. In the Pro League final, Hyderabad Vikings staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Bengaluru Blazers 3–2 after trailing 0–2, while Ahmedabad Olympians finished third. In the Challenger League, Delhi Snipers edged past Mumbai Chhatrapati Warriors 3–2 to lift the title, with Jaipur Stallions taking third place.
The finals culminated in a grand closing ceremony, where Randy Blanco of Hyderabad Vikings was named most valuable player of the Global Sports Pro League, and Asmi Sapra of Delhi Snipers took the MVP honour in the Challenger League.
The tournament carried a festival-like atmosphere, with Bollywood actors, dignitaries and league founders, including filmmaker Shashank Khaitan, engaging with players and spectators. Khaitan said the event showcased pickleball as a sport rooted in community and inclusivity, bringing together international players, Indian talent, families and fans across age groups.
Global Sports Pickleball chief architect – pickleball growth Hemal Jain, said Season 2 reflected the sport’s rapid evolution in India, marked by competitive depth, strong fan enthusiasm and seamless integration of Indian and international players.
The Grand Slam alone featured more than 3,600 matches, with 1,500 players from over 16 countries and representation from 26 Indian states. Winners in the pro categories included Quang Duong and Harsh Mehta (men’s doubles), Megan Fudge and Roos Van Reek (women’s doubles), Sofia Sewing and Casey Diamond (mixed doubles), Sofia Sewing (women’s singles) and Ronan Jack Camron (men’s singles).
The Global Sports Pro and Challenger Pickleball League featured 100 players from nine countries and was broadcast nationally on Zee5, Zee Café and &flix, with global live-streaming on YouTube, helping drive strong fan engagement and packed stands throughout the tournament.
Headquartered in Mumbai, Global Sports Pickleball is a full-stack pickleball solutions provider, managing 82 courts across India and Dubai, and running marquee events including the Monsoon Pickleball Championship, the Pro and Challenger League with Grand Slam, and the upcoming Indian Open 2026.
Brands
Nykaa eyes majority stake in Deepika Padukone’s 82°E brand
Deal could help scale premium label as Nykaa sharpens its beauty play
MUMBAI: Nykaa is in advanced discussions to acquire a majority stake in 82°E, the premium skincare label founded by Deepika Padukone, according to media reports.
The proposed deal signals Nykaa’s intent to deepen its House of Nykaa portfolio while giving 82°E the scale it has struggled to achieve independently. Padukone is expected to retain a minority stake if the transaction goes through.
For Nykaa, the play is both strategic and timely. With a customer base of over 42 million, the company is betting on its strong distribution, logistics, and repeat purchase ecosystem to revive the brand’s momentum. The two sides already share a working relationship, with Padukone serving as Nykaa’s global brand ambassador since September 2025.
Launched in late 2022, 82°E entered the market with a premium positioning but has faced headwinds. The brand reported revenue of Rs 14.7 crore in FY25, down 30 per cent year on year, alongside losses of Rs 12.26 crore. Industry observers have pointed to steep pricing, a somewhat diffused brand identity, and intense competition from digital-first labels as key challenges.
The potential acquisition also reflects a broader shift in India’s beauty and lifestyle space, where celebrity-led brands are increasingly partnering with larger corporates to unlock scale. Alia Bhatt’s Ed-a-Mamma, for instance, sold a majority stake to Reliance Retail, while Katrina Kaif’s Kay Beauty has emerged as a standout success within Nykaa’s portfolio, clocking Rs 132.4 crore in FY25 revenue.
Nykaa itself has been on a strong growth trajectory. Its parent, FSN E-Commerce Ventures, reported a 156 per cent jump in net profit to Rs 68 crore in the December 2025 quarter, with revenue reaching Rs 2,873 crore.
Nykaa has been steadily building its portfolio through acquisitions such as Dot & Key, Earth Rhythm and Nudge Wellness, signalling a clear push to own and scale homegrown brands.
If the 82°E deal materialises, it could mark a fresh chapter for the label, blending celebrity appeal with corporate muscle. For Nykaa, it is another calculated step in staying ahead in an increasingly crowded beauty aisle.
