Bollywood star Samantha Ruth Prabhu hosted 60+ underprivileged kids at the Jio World Garden, inspiring her Chennai Super Champs to a comeback 3-1 victory over defending champions Bengaluru Jawans.
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Fourth Consecutive Win Cements Dominance
Chennai Super Champs stormed to their fourth straight World Pickleball League victory on February 4, positioning themselves as the competition’s leading team. Samantha’s interaction with NGO children created an electric atmosphere that fueled the team’s rally.
Chennai Super Champs vs Bengaluru Jawans Results
| Match Type | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Women’s Singles | Bengaluru wins | Katerina Stewart 27-8 vs Rika Fujiwara |
| Mixed Doubles | Chennai wins | Ly Hoang Nam & Carlota Trevino 17-5 |
| Men’s Singles | Chennai wins | Ly Hoang Nam (thrilling comeback) |
| Women’s Doubles | Chennai wins | Secured overall 3-1 victory |
Comeback from the Brink
The match started poorly for Chennai, with Katerina Stewart demolishing Rika Fujiwara 27-8 in women’s singles. However, the tide turned dramatically in front of the 60+ underprivileged children Chennai hosted for the event.
The resurgence began with Ly Hoang Nam and Carlota Trevino’s dominant 17-5 mixed doubles victory over Mauro Garcia and Molly O’Donoghue, leveling the score at 1-1.
Nam’s Heroics Seal Victory
Ly Hoang Nam delivered the critical men’s singles win, channeling his inner champion to roar back with consecutive points in a thrilling comeback. The Vietnamese star has become Chennai’s go-to performer in crucial moments.
Women’s doubles sealed the overall 3-1 triumph, with Chennai’s balanced squad proving too strong for the defending champions Bengaluru Jawans.
Celebrity Ownership Driving Growth
Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Chennai Super Champs co-owner, has actively promoted pickleball through grassroots initiatives. In November 2025, she unveiled the team’s new sunrise-gradient jersey at the Chennai Open, which featured India’s largest pickleball prize pool of ₹25 lakhs.
Her partnership with Sathyabama University has established six state-of-the-art indoor courts, creating infrastructure for the sport’s growth in Tamil Nadu. The World Pickleball League leverages celebrity ownership to mainstream the fast-growing racquet sport across India.
Perfect Start to Season 2
With four consecutive wins, Chennai Super Champs have positioned themselves as title favorites. The combination of international talent (players from Vietnam, Mexico, Japan, Croatia, Brazil, USA) under coach Johnny Goldberg and strong local support creates a formidable package.
The victory over defending champions Bengaluru sends a clear message: Chennai means business in WPBL Season 2. For updates on emerging Indian sports leagues, follow Technosports and check our sports coverage.
FAQs
What is Chennai Super Champs’ next match in WPBL 2026?
Specific upcoming fixtures haven’t been announced yet, but Chennai continues their campaign at Jio World Garden, Mumbai.
How does the World Pickleball League scoring system work?
Teams compete across multiple match types (singles, doubles, mixed doubles) with cumulative wins determining the overall match victor.
