In a ceremony held in New Delhi on February 16, 2026, Indian cricket sensation Smriti Mandhana was officially named the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year for 2025. This prestigious accolade serves as the crowning achievement for a season that saw the 29-year-old redefine the limits of women’s batting on the international stage.
Currently in Australia for a multi-format tour, Mandhana expressed her gratitude via a pre-recorded video, noting that 2025 was a “special year” for the growth of the women’s game.
A Season of Unprecedented Milestones
Mandhana’s 2025 campaign was characterized by a level of consistency rarely seen in the sport. She outperformed a highly competitive shortlist that included cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur, chess star Divya Deshmukh, and athletics standout Jyothi Yarraji.
Key Achievements & Record-Breaking Stats:
- World Champion: Played a pivotal role in India’s historic first-ever ICC Women’s ODI World Cup victory, finishing as India’s top scorer with 434 runs.
- 1,700-Run Barrier: Became the first woman in history to score over 1,700 international runs in a single calendar year (1,703 runs), breaking her own record set the previous year.
- The 1,000-Run ODI Club: Shattered a 28-year-old record held by Belinda Clark to become the first woman to amass over 1,000 ODI runs in one calendar year.
- Fastest to 5,000: Became the fastest Indian woman to reach the 5,000-run milestone in One Day Internationals.
- WPL Success: Continued her dominance into January 2026, leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to the WPL title as the tournament’s top run-getter.
Standout Performances in 2025
| Opponent | Format | Performance | Significance |
| New Zealand | ODI (WC) | 109 Runs | Set the tone for India’s World Cup campaign. |
| Australia | ODI | 117 (91 balls) | Led India to a massive 102-run win over the favorites. |
| Australia | ODI | 125 Runs | Secured a series win with a record team total. |
| South Africa | T20I | 135 Runs | Recorded her new career-best score in the format. |
A Growing Legacy
The award underscores Mandhana’s transition from a rising star to a global sporting icon. Her ability to dominate world-class attacks, combined with her leadership as India’s vice-captain, has set a new benchmark for excellence. As she continues her tour in Australia, she remains the focal point of an Indian team that has finally found its footing at the very top of the world rankings.
