Smriti Mandhana Named BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year 2025

Category : Sports Published on: February 19 2026

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Indian cricket star Smriti Mandhana was awarded the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year 2025 for her pivotal role in India’s historic Women’s World Cup victory, with the ceremony held in New Delhi on 16 February 2026. At 29, Smriti Mandhana holds the second-highest centuries in Women’s ODIs, the third-highest runs among current women cricketers, and the fastest 50-over international century by an Indian, surpassing Virat Kohli’s record.
Chess prodigy Divya Deshmukh, aged 20, won the Emerging Player of the Year for her FIDE Women’s World Cup triumph, highlighting India’s rising dominance in chess. The event celebrated excellence across multiple sports, showcasing India’s growing impact of women athletes globally.