New Delhi. Star batsman Smriti Mandhana, who played a key role in India’s historic victory in the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, was honored with the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year award for 2025 at a grand ceremony held in New Delhi on Monday.
On this occasion, young chess talent Divya Deshmukh received the Emerging Player of the Year award for winning the FIDE Women’s World Cup at the age of 20. Para athlete Preeti Pal was named the best female para athlete after winning two bronze medals in track and field at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. At the same time, former shooter Anjali Bhagwat was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her lifetime achievements. Anjali is the first Indian female shooter to reach the Olympic final.
Mandhana, who was with the team on the Australia tour, said in a video message, “Thank you to BBC for choosing me as the Women’s Player of the Year. 2025 has been a special year for women’s cricket, especially winning the World Cup at the end of the year. I am happy that I could contribute to India’s victory.”
The 29-year-old left-handed batsman is second in the list of most centuries in women’s ODI cricket and is third in the world in terms of total runs among current players. Mandhana, a resident of Sangli, Maharashtra, got her inspiration for cricket from her father and brother, who have played at the district level.
Last year in September, she scored a century in 50 balls against Australia, setting the record for the fastest century by any Indian (men or women) in the 50-over international format, which was previously held by Virat Kohli. The award winners were selected by a jury consisting of Leander Paes, Deepa Malik and Anju Bobby George.
Congratulating the winners, BBC News Chief Executive Jonathan Munro said that these players exemplify the best of sporting excellence and the BBC World Service is committed to delivering inspiring stories to audiences in India and around the world.
BBC Star Performer of the Year 2025 winners
Indian women’s cricket team – to win the World Cup
Indian women’s visually impaired team – to win the World Cup
Indian Women’s Kabaddi Team – To Win the World Cup
Simran Sharma, Ekta Bhayan, Deepti Jiwanji, Preeti Pal – brilliant performance at the World Para Athletics Championships
Winners of BBC Changemakers of the Year 2025
Indian women’s ice hockey team – to overcome obstacles in non-traditional sport
Rajbir Kaur – former captain of the Indian hockey team
Savita Poonia – Member of the national hockey team
Pani Devi – For her impressive contribution at the grassroots level in the field of sports.
Thus, the leadership of Smriti Mandhana and the excellent performance of other women players took India to new heights in the field of sports in 2025.
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