Grandfather Was ‘Sultan of Swing’, Grandson A Pickleball Phenom: Armaan Bhatia Honours Family’s Sporting Tradition At PWR DUPR India Masters | EXCLUSIVE
Abdul Ismail (in left photo), who was a well-known Ranji Trophy cricketer, is Armaan Bhatia's grandfather.
Armaan Bhatia created history in pickleball by clinching a historic triple crown at the PWR DUPR India Masters at the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA) Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday. This was after the talented Indian player won the men's singles, men's doubles, and mixed doubles events, showcasing his exceptional skills and dominance on the court.
But not many would know that Bhatia’s journey to the pedestal is deeply rooted in his family’s rich sporting heritage. His grandfather, Abdul Ismail, was a renowned Indian first-class cricketer and a former selector for the Mumbai Cricket Association. Ismail was known for his bowling, particularly his mastery of outswing bowling. For this reason, he was known as the 'Sultan of Swing' in the Mumbai Maidaan circuit back in the day ( 1969-1978). In 75 first-class matches, Ismail bagged 244 wickets at an average of 18.04.
Abdul Ismail with his Ranji Trophy team. (Source: Facebook)
His uncle, Asif Ismail, is also an Arjuna Award-winning Davis Cup player, thus setting the bar really high in athletics. It is this sporting legacy that has paved the way for his nephew's accomplishments, believes Asif.
“Sports runs in Armaan’s blood,” he told Pickleball Now in an exclusive chat. “His mother, Zeenat, was a state-level badminton player, and his father was also a skilled badminton player. From a young age, Armaan was drawn to sports, and we always knew he had the potential to excel.”
Bhatia’s background in tennis also played a crucial role in his pickleball journey. Having trained at Khar Gymkhana in Mumbai, he has a strong tennis base and excellent hand-eye co-ordination, which he developed from a young age. "He is also someone who is always willing to learn and improve and along with his natural talent, he has propelled himself to the top of the Indian pickleball scene," said Ismail.
Armaan Bhatia
“Whatever he has learnt in tennis, he has added to his pickleball game. His strength is that he moves around the court pretty well and has excellent hand-eye coordination," explained Ismail.
"Even when he goes abroad, he’s constantly talking to higher-ranked players," Ismail added.
With this remarkable performance, Bhatia has indeed solidified his reputation as a global star in the world of pickleball, becoming the first athlete to secure a triple crown in the tournament’s history -- something his grandfather would be proud about.
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