India Women's Cricket Team Nominated for Prestigious Laureus Award

Recognition for Women's Cricket in India

The Laureus World Sports Awards have acknowledged a remarkable year for women's cricket in India, unveiling the nominees for the sport's highest accolades today.

The India Women's Cricket Team has been nominated for the Laureus World Team of the Year Award, celebrating their historic victory in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup and their captivating performances that have inspired cricket fans globally. They will compete against five other notable teams, each vying for the coveted Laureus statuette. The gala event will take place at Madrid's Cibeles Palace, where winners will be announced by the Laureus World Sports Academy.

Historic World Cup Triumph

In 2025, the India Women's Cricket Team achieved a significant milestone by winning their first ICC Women's Cricket World Cup on home turf in Mumbai. They made headlines by executing the highest successful run chase in women's ODI history during a thrilling semi-final against Australia, ultimately defeating South Africa by 52 runs in the final, igniting celebrations nationwide. Despite facing three consecutive losses in the group stage against South Africa, Australia, and England, the team rallied to reach the final for the third time, showcasing a dominant performance to secure their inaugural World Cup title.

Previous Laureus Nominations

This nomination marks the third occasion that Indian cricket has been recognized at the Laureus World Sports Awards. Notably, Sachin Tendulkar, a member of the Laureus Academy, received the Laureus Sporting Moment Award in 2020 for his victory lap following India's 2011 Cricket World Cup win. Last year, Rishabh Pant was nominated for Comeback of the Year, while wrestler Vinesh Phogat was nominated in 2019. Additionally, Neeraj Chopra was shortlisted for the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award in 2022 after his Olympic javelin victory.

Laureus World Team of the Year Nominees

This year's shortlist for the Laureus World Team of the Year Award features five inspiring stories of teamwork and resilience:

1. England Women's Football Team - Defended their UEFA Women's European Championship title with a penalty shootout win over Spain.

2. European Ryder Cup Team - Secured a 16th Ryder Cup title, marking Europe's first away win since 2012.

3. McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team - Achieved their 10th World Constructors' Championship with six races remaining.

4. Oklahoma City Thunder - Matched the 1996/97 Chicago Bulls' regular-season win record en route to their first NBA championship.

5. Paris Saint-Germain - Clinched their first UEFA Champions League title with a 5-0 victory over Inter Milan, completing a historic six-title year.

Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Nominees

Leading the nominees for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award is Tennis World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz, who secured Grand Slam titles at both the French Open and US Open. Other nominees include:

1. Jannik Sinner - Winner of the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

2. Ousmane Dembele - Top goal-scorer for Paris Saint-Germain.

3. Mondo Duplantis - Undefeated world champion and record-setter.

4. Marc Marquez - MotoGP World Champion.

5. Tadej Pogacar - Winner of the Tour de France.

Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Nominees

Aitana Bonmati, the 2024 Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year, is nominated again after leading FC Barcelona to a domestic treble and winning her third Ballon d'Or. Other nominees include:

1. Melissa Jefferson-Wooden - Achieved the 'Triple Crown' in athletics.

2. Faith Kipyegon - Secured a record fourth World Championships gold.

3. Katie Ledecky - Reached a historic 30 World Championships medals.

4. Aryna Sabalenka - Maintained her position as World No.1.

Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award

Teenage winger Desire Doue is recognized for his outstanding performance in the UEFA Champions League final. Other nominees include:

1. João Fonseca - Debuted in all four Grand Slam events.

2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - Achieved a historic MVP season.

3. Luke Littler - Youngest-ever PDC World Darts champion.

4. Lando Norris - First World Drivers' Championship title.

5. Yu Zidi - Youngest medallist at the World Aquatics Championships.

Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award

This award highlights remarkable stories of resilience, including Amanda Anisimova's return to tennis after prioritizing her mental health. Other nominees include:

1. Egan Bernal - Recovery from a near-fatal crash.

2. Rory McIlroy - Achieved a career Grand Slam.

3. Yulimar Rojas - Won bronze after an Achilles injury.

4. Leah Williamson - Lifted two major trophies after an ACL injury.

5. Simon Yates - Won the Giro d'Italia after a significant setback.

Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year Award

Nominees for this category include former winners and rising stars:

1. Chloe Kim - Most decorated woman in X Games history.

2. Tom Pidcock - First Grand Tour podium.

3. Rayssa Leal - Fourth consecutive title in skateboarding.

4. Yago Dora - World No. 1 surfer.

5. Kilian Jornet - Summited all 14,000-foot peaks in the USA.

Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award

Nominees include standout athletes from the World Para Swimming Championships:

1. Simone Barlaam - Four gold medals.

2. Gabriel Araujo - World record in the 150m individual medley.

3. David Kratochvil - Seven medals including four golds.

4. Kelsey DiClaudio - MVP in Para Ice Hockey.

5. Kiara Rodriguez - Championship record in long jump.

Laureus Sport for Good Award

This award recognizes community sports programs that positively impact youth. The shortlist includes:

1. Futbol Mas - Promotes inclusivity through football.

2. MindLeaps - Combines dance with educational support.

3. ASD Gruppo Sportivo Valanga - Offers educational opportunities through sports.

4. Rugby For Good - Advocates for social equity.

5. Kings County Tennis League - Provides tennis access to disadvantaged youth.

Complete List of Nominees

Laureus World Sportsman of the Year:

Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) - Tennis, Ousmane Dembele (France) - Football, Mondo Duplantis (Sweden) - Athletics, Marc Marquez (Spain) - Motor Cycling, Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia) - Cycling, Jannik Sinner (Italy) - Tennis.

Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year:

Aitana Bonmati (Spain) - Football, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (USA) - Athletics, Faith Kipyegon (Kenya) - Athletics, Katie Ledecky (USA) - Swimming, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA) - Athletics, Aryna Sabalenka - Tennis.

Laureus World Team of the Year:

England Women's Football Team, European Ryder Cup Team, India Women's Cricket Team, McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team, Oklahoma City Thunder, Paris Saint-Germain.

Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year:

Desire Doue (France) - Football, João Fonseca (Brazil) - Tennis, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada) - Basketball, Luke Littler (UK) - Darts, Lando Norris (UK) - Motor Racing, Yu Zidi (China) - Swimming.

Laureus World Comeback of the Year:

Amanda Anisimova (USA) - Tennis, Egan Bernal (Colombia) - Cycling, Rory McIlroy (UK) - Golf, Yulimar Rojas (Venezuela) - Athletics, Leah Williamson (UK) - Football, Simon Yates (UK) - Cycling.

Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year:

Yago Dora (Brazil) - Surfing, Kilian Jornet (Spain) - Ultra Running, Chloe Kim (USA) - Snowboarding, Rayssa Leal (Brazil) - Skateboarding, Molly Picklum (Australia) - Surfing, Tom Pidcock (UK) - Cycling.

Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability:

Gabriel Araujo (Brazil) - Para Swimming, Simone Barlaam (Italy) - Para Swimming, Catherine Debrunner (Switzerland) - Para Athletics, Kelsey DiClaudio (USA) - Para Ice Hockey, David Kratochvil (Czech Republic) - Para Swimming, Kiara Rodriguez (Ecuador) - Para Athletics.

Laureus Sport for Good Shortlist:

A.S.D Gruppo Sportivo Valanga (Italy), Futbol Mas (Global), Kings County Tennis League (USA), MindLeaps (Global), Rugby For Good (Hong Kong, China), Transformacion Social TRASO (Mexico).