The sun rose over the Sabarmati today on January 4, 2026, casting long shadows across the sandy turf of the Ahmedabad polo grounds.
The rhythm of hooves and the sharp crack of mallets returned to Gujarat in a way the state has not witnessed in years.
From January 2 to January 4, the Gujarat Polo Tournament is unfolding as more than just a three-day sporting contest — it is positioning itself as the foundation stone for Western India’s next marquee polo event.
At the heart of this revival stands Mayfair Polo, led by 27-year-old patron-player Anay Shah.
In this part 1 of 2 features by Firstpost, we look at how Shah envisions polo in Gujarat and beyond through his team, ahead of an exciting final.
Played in the arena polo format — faster, tighter, and designed for spectator engagement — the tournament has brought six evenly matched teams together, each capped at a total team handicap of +6, with three players per side.
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Jindal Panther, comprising Naveen Jindal (0) or Savir Godara (0), Salim Azmi (+2), and Simran Singh Shergill (+4);
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Mayfair Polo, comprising Jaivirsinh Gohil (+1) or Anay Shah (0), Dino Dhankhar (+1), and Daniel Otamendi (+4);
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Nav Unicorns, comprising Vivan Mheta (-2), Syed Shamsheer Ali (+4), and Gonzalo Yanzon (+4);
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Pune Warriors, comprising Colonel VS Kahlon (0), Lt. Col. Vishal Chauhan (+2), and Lance Watson (+4);
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KP Kings, comprising Nimit Mheta (0), Dhruvpal Godara (+2), and Gerardo Mazzini (+4);
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Adani Archers, comprising Gaurav Sahgal (+1), Angad Kalaan (+2), and Syed Hurr Ali (+3).
How Mayfair Polo galloped to the final
On the opening day, January 2, Mayfair Polo faced off against the formidable Jindal Panther. Led by industry stalwart Naveen Jindal and supported by the tactical brilliance of Simran Singh Shergill, Jindal Panther is a name synonymous with Indian polo excellence.
However, Mayfair’s synergy proved superior. With Daniel Otamendi and Dino Dhankar controlling the midfield and Anay Shah executing precise plays, Mayfair secured a hard-fought victory, setting the tone for the rest of the weekend.
The momentum carried into the second day, where Mayfair met Nav Unicorns. Despite the challenge posed by the high-handicap duo of Syed Shamsheer Ali and Gonzalo Yanzon, Mayfair’s disciplined approach saw them through.
Mayfair Polo now stands on the precipice of glory as they prepare to face the Pune Warriors in today’s final match.
Adding to the spectacle, the final day will also feature an exhibition match between two all-ladies teams — Apollo Aviators and Lions Den Legends.
Why Ahmedabad, why now?
The Gujarat Polo Tournament has been conceived with a long-term vision, that is to establish Western India’s marquee annual polo event.
Ahmedabad, as the host city, offers a compelling case.
It is a metropolis accustomed to hosting large-scale sporting events, with deep-rooted cultural ties to equestrian traditions.
Crucially, the city also offers weather conditions and facilities conducive to year-round training, creating fertile ground for a growing community of riders, trainers, and polo enthusiasts.
For Anay Shah and Mayfair Polo, the decision to participate was personal.
“The tournament aligns with Mayfair Polo’s vision and values of promoting polo in India since polo is India’s gift to the world and it’s a heritage sport of India,” Shah, who is also the youngest patron-player in Indian polo, tells Firstpost in an exclusive interview.
He added, “So since there has been no polo activity in Gujarat in the past couple of years, Mayfair Polo thought it should be a part of any kind of polo event happening to promote the sport in Gujarat and develop interests amongst the people of Gujarat.”
Why Anay Shah established Mayfair Polo
Shah’s journey into the sport began at the Amateur Riders Club (ARC) in Mumbai when he was 14. After exploring other equestrian disciplines like Dressage, Showjumping, and Tent Pegging, he found his true calling in Polo.
Founded in 2021, Mayfair Polo India was never intended to be just a corporate subsidiary.
Since its inception, the team has grown rapidly across Category ‘A’ polo centres such as Delhi, Noida, Jaipur, and Mumbai.
Mayfair Polo’s strong showing in Ahmedabad is consistent with its recent record across India’s premier polo circuits. The team won the BM Birla Cup in Jaipur in 2023, finished finalists at the Gen. Sparrow Cup in Delhi in 2024, and lifted the Army Commander’s Cup in Jaipur in 2024.
They also claimed the Colonel Girdhari Singh Memorial Cup in Delhi in 2024 and the SMS Gold Vase in 2025 as Mayfair-Delta.
During the Jaipur Polo Season in September-October 2025, Mayfair Polo added further accolades by winning the Sawai Man Guard Cup and finishing finalists at the General Amar Singh Kanota Cup and the Bhavnagar Polo Trophy, both in partnership with Artize.
When asked about the future of his string of horses, Shah’s philosophy is clear. He iterates, “At Mayfair, we believe that numbers don’t matter; efficiency does. We have a short string but a well-performing string.”
But what is Shah’s vision for Mayfair Polo?
Shah is adamant that the team exists as a separate lifestyle brand, a personal passion project aimed at creating an ecosystem where professionals, amateurs, and fans can thrive.
“The team’s main agenda is to play good Polo, show great sportsmanship and mainly engage with the crowd that will be there in Gujarat and try to help them develop a keen interest in Polo and spread the word of Polo as an Indian sport and get some more viewership for polo,” Shah says.
“I wish to establish a premier sporting team… where Mayfair Polo supports Polo and encourages pros, amateurs and even the supporters to come enjoy the sport, learn the sport, play the sport and thrive,” Shah explains.
He looks toward Argentina as the current powerhouse but remains optimistic that India — the original home of the sport — can match them in volume and quality.
Shah acknowledges the influence of established teams like Jindal, Achievers, and defence-based teams led by the 61st Cavalry.
“We want to be part of the ecosystem as we want to learn from the best. We have the Achievers team. We have the Jindal team. We have the Jaipur team. We have the army teams led by the 61st cavalry. We learn from them and we want to be part of a group that makes Polo thrive in India and I think it is a joint effort and we all are contributing to it and we all can do it together.”
As Mayfair Polo prepares to face Pune Warriors in the final, their presence in Ahmedabad has already achieved something significant.
Arena polo has returned to Gujarat, crowds have responded, and a credible case has been made for Ahmedabad as Western India’s next polo hub.
At Firstpost, we extensively covered Indian polo through the 2024-25 season, first focusing on the
_origins of the sport,_ and then diving deep into the
_role of the Indian Armed Forces in reviving polo_ as well as the
_challenges the sport faces_ in the subcontinent.
Now we are in the middle of a new series of features focusing on the 2025-26 Indian polo season.
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