The inaugural Indian Pickleball League delivered world-class action, but nothing drew louder reactions than three standout Indian players upsetting established international stars.
Over seven days at the KD Jadhav Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, Mihika Yadav, Aditya Ruhela, and Arik Badami produced performances that defined the spirit of the new league.
Mihika Yadav stuns Allison Harris in the Eliminator
Lucknow Leopards’ 26-year-old Mihika Yadav delivered one of the biggest shocks of the tournament, defeating USA’s Allison Harris, a higher-rated international player with a singles DUPR of 5.71. Mihika, who holds a 5.143 singles DUPR, did not just win. She dominated.
After falling behind 0-1, Mihika shifted gears and stormed ahead 5-1. Her pace, placement and aggression forced Allison into uncomfortable positions throughout the game. Even when Allison clawed back to make it 9-8, Mihika closed out the match with authority to win 15-10.
It was a statement performance from one of India’s rising stars. Earlier this year, Mihika crushed Aaliya Ebrahim 15-4 to win the Open Women’s Singles title at IPA Nationals 2025, showcasing the form she carried into IPBL. Although she is already among India’s top-ranked women players, defeating an established international competitor like Harris takes exceptional composure and skill.
Aditya Ruhela beats Asia’s number two Phuc Huynh
Lucknow’s Aditya Ruhela produced the opening-day upset of the league when he defeated Vietnam’s Phuc Huynh, Asia’s number two men’s singles player with a 6.145 singles DUPR. Despite the gap in ratings, Aditya controlled the match with confidence.
He built an early five-point cushion and repeatedly placed the ball deep into the third court, forcing Phuc into defensive rallies. Although the Vietnamese star fought back to 12-8, Aditya kept his cool and sealed a 15-10 win. His 5.682 DUPR may not match Phuc’s numbers, but the performance proved he belongs on the big stage.
Arik Badami topples Mitchell Hargreaves in Tie 8
Capital Warriors Gurgaon’s Arik Badami delivered the third major upset of IPBL 2025 when he defeated Australia’s Mitchell Hargreaves, a strong international contender with a 5.382 singles DUPR. In contrast, Arik entered the match with a 5.179 DUPR and as the underdog.
Arik raced to a commanding 13-7 lead with sharp angles, patient rallies, and tight serves. Mitchell responded with three straight points to close the gap to 13-10, but Arik showed impressive nerve, finishing the game 15-11 to give Gurgaon a 1-0 lead in the tie.
These three results were not just upsets. They were milestones. Each showcased India’s emerging talent, standing firm against seasoned international pros. Mihika, Aditya and Arik proved that Indian players can compete with and beat some of the best in the world.
About the Indian Pickleball League
The Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), launched by The Times Group, is India’s official and only national league for Pickleball, sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA), which is recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India.
The inaugural edition played from December 1-7, 2025, at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall, Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, established Delhi as the epicentre of India’s next major sporting revolution. The event brought together top Indian and international players, franchise-owned city teams, and millions of fans through live and digital platforms.
About Indian Pickleball Association:
The Indian Pickleball Association is the official governing body for pickleball in India and is dedicated to promoting, developing, and organising the sport across the country. The association continues to inspire players of all ages and skill levels to embrace the game through events like the IPA Nationals. IPA is affiliated with the Asian Pickleball Association (APA) and the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF).
About Pickleball World Ranking:
PWR is a national ranking system that spans all age groups, skill divisions, and formats -including singles, doubles, and mixed categories. It serves as the official National Sports Federation Ranking for India. With multiple sanctioned events taking place every week across the country, PWR defines the top Indian players at every level and forms the foundation for team selection at the school, district, state, and national stages.
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