Mihika Yadav is set to play in her second successive Pickleball World Cup in 2026, and this time she wants more than a place on the podium. After claiming bronze in the women’s singles category in the United States last year, she has now set her sights on the gold medal. This year’s tournament will be held in Da Nang, Vietnam.
“This year we definitely want to go for gold,” Mihika told. Pickleball Nowadding, “I’ve got to be in my best shape, physically and mentally. There is a lot of tactics and strategy involved.”
At the Pickleball World Cup 2025, India finished seventh with 25 medals, including 9 gold, 8 silver, and 8 bronze.
The team she is most excited to face is the United States. “I’m most excited to play the US because they are the reigning champions. They won the team gold last year. And this time, we want to get that medal,” she said.
“It’s always fun to play the best. That is where the growth is, that is where the exposure is, and that is where you really get to test yourself,” she stated.
This year’s World Cup will feature 80 countries, making it bigger than last year’s event, which was held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Mihika calls it “one of the most prestigious and premier international pickleball events” and says representing India is “the highest honor for an Indian athlete.”
A sport on the rise
Mihika, the reigning IPA Nationals women’s singles champion, believes her journey reflects the growth of pickleball in India. “When an athlete gets the opportunity to perform and shine on the world stage, that in turn motivates everyone at home to pick up a paddle,” she said. “Pickleball is still in its infancy, but its growth is like no other.”
Mihika is one of the pioneering players of Indian pickleball. She has been a PPA Tour Asia regular, a domestic stalwart and fierce competitor.
She credits the Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), her US Open experience, and strong media coverage for the sport’s rise. “Even my neighbor, who doesn’t play pickleball, knows India is going to the World Cup,” she said.
For pickleball’s rapid growth in India and for the IPA’s faith in her – she is among the eight players selected for this World Cup – Mihika expressed her gratitude to IPA President Suryaveer Singh Bhullar, and chief selector and treasurer Aalap Sharma for their “unwavering faith.”
She also thanked the Times Group’s Managing Director, Vineet Jain, and Shaleen Jain, who leads the Lucknow Leopards, of which Mihika is a part, for coming forward to sponsor Team India at the World Cup.
“They have fully covered our travel, stay, and accommodation,” she said. “So we players don’t have to worry about anything else – just the job at hand.”
Real opponent – Vietnam’s heat
Mihika, however, says Vietnam’s hot and humid weather will pose a serious challenge to touring players. Yet, she is not leaving things to chance.
“I’ve done so much on-court fitness, gym training, strengthening, conditioning, and, most importantly, recovery,” she said. “We’ve got to make sure we are well-rested, recovered, and injury-free leading up to the World Cup.”
In a highly individual sport, representing India in a team event, Mihika says, will inspire the players to go for gold. “All of us Indian athletes come together. There is a sense of camaraderie, a sense of team spirit, to represent the tricolor and win for India,” she said.
Written by Aditi Jain
