Amid an unforgettable season in which she played a pivotal role in India’s historic 2025 Women’s World Cup triumph and lifted the Women’s Premier League (WPL) title for the second time as captain, star batter Smriti Mandhana was named the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year for 2025 at a glittering ceremony in New Delhi on Monday.
The winners were decided by a distinguished grand jury comprising Leander Paes, Deepa Malik and Anju Bobby George.
Mandhana beat teammate and India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, chess sensation Divya Deshmukh, shooter Suruchi Singh and hurdler Jyothi Yarraji to clinch the award.
However, Mandhana was not present to receive the honour as she is currently touring Australia with the Indian team for a multi-format bilateral series. In a video message, the India vice-captain said: “Thank you, BBC, for giving me the award for Best Sportswoman of the Year. 2025 was a special year for women’s cricket. Towards the end, we had a World Cup, and I’m happy I could contribute and help India win matches.”
The 29-year-old from Sangli, Maharashtra, took up the sport after being inspired by her father and brother, both of whom played cricket at the district level. Mandhana has already cemented her status as one of the greats of the game. She currently ranks second for most ODI centuries in women’s cricket and third among the all-time run-scorers.
Meanwhile, 20-year-old Deshmukh won the Emerging Player of the Year award for her historic FIDE Women’s World Cup triumph. Preethi Pal was named Para-Sportswoman of the Year after winning two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Paralympics in track and field. Anjali Bhagwat received the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her pioneering career as India’s first woman shooter to reach an Olympic final and her trailblazing success on the world stage.
BBC Star Performers of the Year:
Indian Women’s Cricket Team: for their historic World Cup victory
Ekta Bhyan, Deepthi Jeevanji and Preethi Pal: for their performances at the World Para Athletics Championship
Indian Women’s Cricket Team for the Blind: for their World Cup triumph
Indian Women’s Kabaddi Team: for their World Cup victory
BBC Changemakers of the Year:
Indian Women’s Ice Hockey Team: for breaking barriers in a non-traditional sport
Rajbir Kaur: former captain of the Indian women’s field hockey team
Savita Punia: Indian field hockey player and national team member
Paani Devi: for her contribution to grassroots sport
