THE WINNERS of the sixth edition of the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year Awards have been announced, celebrating India’s leading women athletes across cricket, shooting, chess, kabaddi and para-athletics.
Smriti Mandhana, vice-captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, was named the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year (ISWOTY) 2025 by a distinguished jury comprising Leander Paes, Deepa Malik and Anju Bobby George.
At 29, the left-handed opener is already regarded among the greats of the game, holding the second-highest number of centuries in women’s One Day Internationals and ranking third in total runs among active players worldwide.
Major award winners:
* Divya Deshmukh – BBC Emerging Player of the Year, after winning the FIDE Women’s World Cup at the age of 20.
* Preethi Pal – BBC Para-Sportswoman of the Year, for securing two bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Paralympics in track and field.
* Anjali Bhagwat – BBC Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising her career as India’s first woman shooter to reach an Olympic final and her success on the global stage.
The ceremony also recognised a broad spectrum of talent and impact, honouring Star Performers and Changemakers whose contributions continue to shape Indian sport.
BBC Star Performers of the Year 2025:
* Indian Women’s Cricket Team – for their historic World Cup victory.
* Ekta Bhyan, Deepthi Jeevanji and Preethi Pal – for standout performances at the World Para Athletics Championship.
* Indian Women’s Cricket Team for the Blind – for their World Cup victory.
* Indian Women’s Kabaddi Team – for their victory in World Cup.
BBC Changemakers of the Year 2025:
* Indian Women’s Ice Hockey Team – for breaking barriers in a non-traditional sport.
* Rajbir Kaur – former captain of the Indian women’s hockey team.
* Savita Punia – current member of the Indian women’s hockey team.
* Paani Devi – recognised for her impact at the grassroots level.
The BBC ISWOTY is managed and produced by Collective Newsroom, editor-in-chief and co-founder Rupa Jha said, “Sport belongs to everyone, and its true power lies not only in victories but in the opportunities it creates. The ISWOTY 2026 is a celebration of every woman who has stepped forward to break barriers and claim her rightful place on the field.”
Mandhana expressed, “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.”
BBC News CEO Jonathan Munro commented, “Congratulations to this year’s winners who showcase the very best in sporting excellence. The BBC World Service is committed to bringing such stories of human endeavour and outstanding success to audiences across India and around the world.”
