Smriti Mandhana has received the prestigious title of Indian Sportswoman of the Year at the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year awards, marking a remarkable culmination to an extraordinary year in her cricketing career. The recognition comes after her pivotal contributions to India’s victory in the ICC Women’s World Cup and her leadership in securing the second Women’s Premier League (WPL) title for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

At 29, Mandhana served as India’s vice-captain during the triumphant 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup, where she emerged as a standout performer, amassing 434 runs that propelled India to the championship.

Competing Amongst Elite Athletes

Mandhana triumphed over a roster of formidable contenders for this accolade, which included fellow athletes such as Harmanpreet Kaur, chess prodigy Divya Deshmukh, shooter Suruchi Singh, and hurdler Jyothi Yarraji. Reflecting on her accomplishments during the awards ceremony, Mandhana expressed gratitude for the honor, emphasizing the significance of the year for women’s cricket. She remarked, “Thank you BBC for giving me the award for Best Sportswoman of the Year. 2025 was a special year for women’s cricket, especially towards the end we had a World Cup and I’m happy I could contribute and help India win matches.”

A Year of Milestones

Despite facing challenges in her personal life, Mandhana’s performance on the field has been outstanding. Since her debut at the age of 16, she has achieved 17 international centuries, a milestone she shares with Australian cricketer Meg Lanning. In addition to her international success, Mandhana also played an instrumental role in winning two WPL titles with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, thereby augmenting her accolade collection.

Key Awards of the Evening

The award selection was conducted by a distinguished jury comprising renowned figures such as tennis icon Leander Paes, Paralympic champion Deepa Malik, and long-jump legend Anju Bobby George. The evening also celebrated the achievements of young talent, including chess prodigy Divya Deshmukh, who was named Emerging Player of the Year following her notable victory at the FIDE Women’s World Cup at just 20 years of age.

Recognizing Excellence in Para-Sports

Preethi Pal was honored as Para-Sportswoman of the Year for clinching two bronze medals in athletics at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, highlighting significant achievements in the domain of para-sports. Additionally, renowned shooter Anjali Bhagwat was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for her illustrious career and contributions to the sport on the global stage.

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