Virat Kohli & Anushka Sharma Join The Pickleball Craze, Sparking Buzz Across India

Source: royalchallengers.bengaluru (Instagram)

When two of India’s most beloved icons—Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma—take to the court, people watch. But this time, it wasn’t a cricket pitch or a film set. It was a pickleball court, and the moment instantly set social media ablaze.

The power couple took a break from their hectic schedules this week to join a spirited session of pickleball with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) squad, offering Indian fans a rare and endearing crossover moment between celebrity culture and the world’s fastest-growing sport.

The impromptu session took place on Wednesday in Bengaluru, after RCB’s outdoor training was cancelled due to rain. Rather than let the weather dampen the mood, the team pivoted indoors—and straight onto the pickleball court.

In what quickly turned into a viral moment, the team’s official Instagram post featuring Kohli and Sharma sharing a high-five drew over 1.6 million likes in just five hours, a number that continues to climb. The post captured a laid-back yet joyful atmosphere, with Kohli and Sharma clearly enjoying themselves in what looked like a light-hearted doubles match.

Their interaction lit up the comment sections, and their chemistry on court became the feel-good sports moment of the week.

Stars On The Court—And The Gram

While the couple rightfully stole the spotlight, other RCB names were also seen embracing the game. Players Phil Salt, Romario Shepherd, and Suyash Prabhudessai joined in on the action, adding their own flair to the makeshift event.

Even more notable was the appearance of RCB’s mentor and batting coach Dinesh Karthik, who partnered with his wife, renowned squash champion Dipika Pallikal, for a few rallies. Seeing elite athletes from different sports picking up a paddle only adds weight to pickleball’s surging popularity.

Pickleball’s Moment In The Spotlight

This unexpected moment was more than just a fun diversion—it was a clear signal of pickleball’s growing cultural cachet in India. To see national icons like Kohli and Sharma step into the game, even casually, is a massive win for the sport’s visibility in Asia.

For years, pickleball has quietly grown across India, fuelled by grassroots communities and private courts. But mainstream attention like this doesn’t come around often—and it matters. When figures of this magnitude engage with a sport, it sends a powerful message: pickleball isn’t niche anymore. It’s relevant, accessible, and increasingly aspirational.

This RCB pickleball session might not have been planned, but it couldn’t have been better timed. With the Indian Premier League heading into its playoff phase and fans watching every move the players make, this moment offered a softer, more human angle—one that resonated with millions.

And if one thing is clear from the reactions, it’s this: India’s pickleball moment is no longer coming. It’s already here.