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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.
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Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
