Ayhika Mukherjee is an Indian table tennis player from West Bengal, known for her long-pimpled defensive style of play. She has represented India in international competitions and has been part of the Indian women's team in major continental and global events.
Key facts
| Name | Ayhika Mukherjee |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Sport | Table tennis |
| Playing style | Defensive, long pimples |
| Home state | West Bengal |
Background
Mukherjee began competitive table tennis at the junior level in India, training within the Bengal table tennis system, which has historically produced a number of national-level players. She progressed through age-group national championships before establishing herself on the senior national circuit.
Career
Mukherjee has competed for India in team and individual events on the international circuit, including ITTF World Table Tennis Championships and Asian Championships. She is recognised for her unorthodox defensive game, using long pimpled rubber on the backhand to disrupt attacking opponents — a style that is comparatively rare among elite women's players.
One of her notable performances came at the 2023 ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships in Durban, South Africa, where she was part of the Indian women's team that recorded a result against the higher-ranked Chinese line-up during the group stage, contributing to one of Indian table tennis's most discussed team-event results.
She has also partnered with senior Indian players in doubles events on the WTT (World Table Tennis) circuit and at the Asian Games and Commonwealth-level competitions through national team selection.
Playing style and significance
Her use of long pimples and a chopping defensive game has made her a tactical option for Indian team selectors against attacking opponents. Within Indian table tennis, she is considered part of a generation of women's players — alongside contemporaries from Bengal, Maharashtra and Gujarat — that has expanded India's depth in international team competitions.
Related topics
- Table Tennis in India
- Table Tennis Federation of India
- India at the World Table Tennis Championships
- Sports in West Bengal
References
- Wikidata: Q55819547
- International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) player profiles and event records.