Indian women’s sport had a landmark year in 2025, and that success has now been recognised at a global level. The BBC has officially announced the nominees for the 2025 BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year (ISWOTY) Awards, with star Indian athletes Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, and Divya Deshmukh featuring prominently on the list.
The nominations reflect a golden phase for Indian women’s sport, highlighted by historic achievements in cricket, chess, shooting, and athletics.
Full List of Nominees – BBC ISWOTY 2025
| Athlete | Sport | Key Achievement in 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Divya Deshmukh | Chess | Won the FIDE Women’s World Cup; became India’s 4th woman Grandmaster |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | Cricket | Led India to their first ICC Women’s World Cup title |
| Smriti Mandhana | Cricket | Scored most runs in women’s cricket in a calendar year |
| Suruchi Singh | Shooting | Gold medal at Asian Championships |
| Jyothi Yarraji | Athletics | Asian champion in 100m hurdles |
BBC has shortlisted five athletes based on their performances, impact, and consistency throughout 2025.
The BBC ISWOTY Awards are among the most respected honours for Indian women athletes. This is the sixth edition of the awards, celebrating excellence, leadership, and breakthrough performances in women’s sport.
The nominations are selected by a panel of experienced sports editors, writers, and experts, who review achievements across the year rather than a single event.
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Cricket Stars Lead from the Front
Harmanpreet Kaur
As captain, Harmanpreet guided India to their first-ever ICC Women’s World Cup victory in November 2025. Her aggressive batting and calm leadership under pressure played a defining role in India’s title-winning campaign.
Smriti Mandhana
Mandhana enjoyed one of the finest individual years in women’s cricket. She finished 2025 as the highest run-scorer in women’s cricket in a single calendar year, breaking her own previous records and providing consistency at the top of the order.
Together, Harmanpreet and Smriti formed the backbone of India’s most successful year in women’s cricket history.
Divya Deshmukh Historic Chess Breakthrough
At just 19 years of age, Divya Deshmukh created history by winning the FIDE Women’s World Cup. Her achievement also made her India’s fourth female Grandmaster, marking a major milestone for Indian chess and youth sport.
Her nomination highlights the rise of young Indian talent on the global stage beyond cricket.
Strong Performances in Shooting and Athletics
- Suruchi Singh brought fresh momentum to Indian shooting by winning gold at the Asian Championships.
- Jyothi Yarraji confirmed her place among Asia’s best by clinching the 100m hurdles gold, continuing her upward trajectory in track and field.
These performances underline India’s growing depth across multiple Olympic sports.
Voting and Award Ceremony Details
- Public voting for the awards is now open through BBC platforms.
- Fans can vote online to support their favourite athlete.
- The winner will be announced at a ceremony in New Delhi, with the event date to be revealed soon.
In 2024, Smriti Mandhana was also among the nominees, but the historic success of Indian women’s cricket in 2025 has made this year’s race even more competitive.
The 2025 BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year nominations capture a defining moment for Indian women’s sport. From a World Cup triumph in cricket to global dominance in chess and medals in Asian competitions, these athletes have inspired a new generation.
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