In a touching moment at the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year ceremony in New Delhi, Smita Mandhana, mother of cricket star Smriti Mandhana, accepted the prestigious title on behalf of her daughter. Smriti, currently leading India as vice-captain on an intensive tour of Australia, was unable to attend the gala, but the evening’s most poignant message was delivered in her absence.
The ceremony, held on February 16, 2026, celebrated a landmark year for Indian women’s sports. Smita Mandhana used the spotlight to deliver a powerful plea to parents across the nation, emphasizing that traditional educational paths and athletic pursuits should go hand-in-hand.
“To all the mothers, I would like to say: let your daughters be whatever they want to be. Not only is education necessary, but sports are also vital. I believe we must allow our children the freedom to follow their own dreams.”
A Golden Year for Smriti Mandhana
The award serves as the ultimate recognition of Mandhana’s unprecedented success over the past twelve months. In 2025, she redefined the limits of women’s batting, anchoring India’s historic World Cup victory and leading her franchise to domestic glory.
- World Cup Triumph: Played a pivotal role in India’s 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup win, scoring 434 runs throughout the tournament.
- Record-Breaking Stats: Amassed a total of 1,703 international runs in a single calendar year, surpassing all previous records for women’s cricket.
- WPL Dominance: Captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to their second consecutive Women’s Premier League title.
- Milestone Achievements: Became only the second Indian woman to surpass 10,000 international runs, joining the elite company of Mithali Raj.
BBC Award Winners 2025
The event recognized excellence across a broad spectrum of disciplines, highlighting the diversity of talent in the Indian sporting ecosystem.
| Award Category | Winner | Achievement |
| Sportswoman of the Year | Smriti Mandhana | Prolific run-scorer and World Cup winner. |
| Emerging Player | Divya Deshmukh | 20-year-old FIDE Women’s World Cup champion. |
| Para-Sportswoman | Preethi Pal | Double bronze medalist at the Paris Paralympics. |
| Lifetime Achievement | Anjali Bhagwat | Pioneering Olympic finalist in shooting. |
The jury for the awards featured Indian sporting icons including tennis legend Leander Paes, Paralympian Deepa Malik, and track-and-field star Anju Bobby George.
Smita Mandhana’s presence was a reminder that behind Smriti’s elegant cover drives lies a family foundation built on early morning practices in Sangli and a shared belief in breaking gender barriers. As Mandhana continues her campaign in Australia, this award cements her legacy as a trailblazer for the next generation of Indian athletes.
