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Mumbai to host global pickleball league season two and grand slam 2025
MUMBAI: Mumbai will host season two of the Global Sports Pickleball Pro and Challenger League alongside the Grand Slam 2025 from December 16 to 23, as the sport sharpens its competitive footprint in India.
The week-long tournament at the Andheri sports complex will feature leading international players, top Indian talent, emerging athletes and 10 team owners, underlining India’s growing appeal as a destination for elite pickleball.
Proceedings will open with a grand ceremony on December 16 at 5 pm, to be broadcast live on Zee5, Zee Café and &flix. The event will include the unveiling of the 2025 trophy and an exhibition match featuring select marquee players.
Global Sports Pickleball has partnered with Zee5 for nationwide broadcast coverage. The Grand Slam matches will be streamed exclusively on Zee5 from 9 am to 12 pm, while the Pro and Challenger League fixtures will air daily from 3 pm to 10 pm across Zee5, Zee Café and &flix.
“The 2025 season brings an exciting mix of players, from Asia’s no. 1 Quang Duong to 15-year-old sensation Arjun Singh and experienced competitors such as Megan Fudge,” said Hemal Jain, chief designer – pickleball growth, global sports pickleball. “Indian players competing alongside the world’s best will accelerate the sport’s development in the country.”
With international stars, structured formats and expanded television and digital reach, the Global Sports Pickleball League and Grand Slam 2025 are positioned as one of India’s most ambitious pickleball showcases to date.
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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.
