What’s the Score?
Mihika Yadav has been officially confirmed as the number one women’s pickleball player in India, topping the latest Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR) charts with a rating of 5.174. Her top ranking comes on the heels of a dominant 2025 season where she was named “Women’s Player of the Year” by Pickleball Now, having secured major titles including the Rise Up Championship and the IPA Nationals.
Hit it deeper!
Yadav’s ascendancy is built on a foundation of relentless consistency. Throughout 2025, she proved to be an all-surface, all-conditions champion. Her success was not limited to domestic soil; she was a key figure in India’s international campaigns, securing a bronze medal at the Pickleball World Cup in Florida and competing extensively across the PPA Tour Asia in Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Japan.
Her ability to perform under pressure was most visible during the inaugural Indian Pickleball League (IPBL). Playing for the Lucknow Leopards, Yadav delivered a standout performance in the Eliminator match, defeating Allison Harris 15-10 in a high-pressure environment, even though her team ultimately exited the tournament. This “clutch” gene separates her from a talented chasing pack.
The rankings reveal a competitive hierarchy forming behind her. Aaliya Ebrahim sits in second place (4.937), followed closely by Snehal Patil (4.878). Shraddha Damani, fresh off a triple-title performance at the Indian Masters, is also a looming threat in fourth place. However, the gap between Yadav’s 5.174 and the rest of the field indicates that she is currently playing at a different level.
The World Pickleball Verdict
Mihika Yadav has become the gold standard for women’s pickleball in India. Her transition from domestic winner to international medalist tracks perfectly with the sport’s growth in the region. However, the presence of Aaliya Ebrahim and the surging Shraddha Damani ensures she cannot become complacent. The 2026 season will test whether Yadav can convert her domestic dominance into more international silverware, which is the final frontier for her to cross to be considered a true global elite.
Chris Beaumont is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of World Pickleball Magazine. Chris follows the global game closely, reporting on the latest news, developments, stories and tournaments from all five continents. He also hosts the World Pickleball Podcast, interviewing people at all levels of pickleball. Chris is also an avid player, currently struggling to make the breakthrough from 4.0 to 4.5.