India Women's Cricket Team Nominated for Laureus World Team of the Year Award

Recognition for Women's Cricket in India

Madrid [Spain], March 3: The Laureus World Sports Awards have acknowledged a remarkable year for women's cricket in India, unveiling the nominees for the sport's highest honors today.

The Indian Women's Cricket Team has been nominated for the Laureus World Team of the Year Award, celebrating their historic victory at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup and their captivating performances that have inspired fans worldwide.

They will face off against five other distinguished teams that made significant achievements in 2025, all vying for the prestigious Laureus statuette. The nominees from eight award categories will gather at Madrid's Cibeles Palace for a gala event where the winners, selected by the Laureus World Sports Academy, will be announced.

In 2025, the Indian Women's Cricket Team achieved a groundbreaking victory on home turf, clinching their first ICC Women's Cricket World Cup title in Mumbai.

They set a record for 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 across the nation.

Despite facing three consecutive losses in the group stage against South Africa, Australia, and England, which nearly led to their elimination, India rallied to reach the final for the third time, where a commanding performance secured their inaugural World Cup title.

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

This year's shortlist for the Laureus World Team of the Year Award features five equally inspiring stories of teamwork and resilience. The England Women's Football Team became the second team to defend their UEFA Women's European Championship title, winning in a penalty shootout against reigning world champions Spain.

In the United States, the European Ryder Cup Team secured their 16th title, marking Europe's first away win since 2012. The McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team clinched their 10th World Constructors' Championship with six races remaining, while driver Lando Norris captured the World Drivers' Championship. The Oklahoma City Thunder matched the 1996/97 Chicago Bulls' regular-season win record on their way to their first NBA championship.

In the UEFA Champions League final, Paris Saint-Germain triumphed over Inter Milan with a 5-0 victory, contributing to a remarkable six-trophy haul in 2025.

Tennis World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz leads the nominees for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award after securing Grand Slam titles at the French Open and US Open. He is joined by rivals Jannik Sinner, who won the Australian Open and Wimbledon; Ousmane Dembele, Paris Saint-Germain's top scorer and Ballon d'Or winner; Mondo Duplantis, who remained undefeated while winning the world title and setting four new world records; MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez, who ended a six-year title drought; and Tadej Pogacar, who claimed his third yellow jersey at the 2025 Tour de France.

Jannik Sinner expressed his pride in the achievements of 2025, stating, 'Defending my Australian Open title was a great start, and reaching all four Grand Slam finals, especially winning Wimbledon, was truly special. I'm incredibly grateful for my team and everyone who supports me. Thank you to the media for the Laureus nomination; it's an honor to be considered for such a prestigious award alongside amazing athletes.'

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. She is joined by stars from the World Athletics Championships: Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, who made history by winning the 'Triple Crown' in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay; Faith Kipyegon, who secured a record fourth World Championships gold in the 1500m; and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who broke the World Championships 400m record and won relay gold.

Swimming icon Katie Ledecky increased her World Aquatics Championships medal tally to an impressive 30, while tennis World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka maintained her top position throughout 2025, winning the US Open and reaching three Grand Slam finals.

Aitana Bonmati remarked, 'I’m honored to be nominated for the third consecutive time. This recognition wouldn’t be possible without my teammates and the support of my club and national team. These awards help athletes like us gain visibility for our causes, and I take pride in inspiring young people around the world.'

In the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award, teenage winger Desire Doue is recognized for scoring twice in the UEFA Champions League final for Paris Saint-Germain and finishing second in the 2025 FIFA Kopa Trophy voting.

Other nominees include 19-year-old João Fonseca, who debuted in all four Grand Slam events; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who became the fourth player in NBA history to be named regular season MVP, Finals MVP, and Scoring Champion in the same season; Luke Littler, the youngest-ever PDC World Darts champion; Formula One driver Lando Norris, who won his first World Drivers' Championship; and Yu Zidi, who became the youngest medallist at the World Aquatics Championships at just 12 years old.

The Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award highlights stories of resilience, including Amanda Anisimova, who returned to tennis after prioritizing her mental health and reached both the Wimbledon and US Open finals.

Egan Bernal made a remarkable comeback from a near-fatal crash in 2022 to win a Grand Tour stage in 2025, while Rory McIlroy completed his career Grand Slam with a first Masters victory after an 11-year wait for another Major title.

Triple jumper Yulimar Rojas won bronze at the World Championships just a year after undergoing surgery for a torn Achilles tendon, and England captain Leah Williamson lifted both the UEFA Women’s Champions League and European Championship trophies one year after returning from an ACL injury. Simon Yates completes the shortlist as the 2025 Giro d’Italia winner, overcoming the memories of losing a 38-minute lead in 2018.

Two former award winners and a three-time nominee are shortlisted for the Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year Award. Chloe Kim, a two-time winner, became the most decorated woman in X Games history with her eighth gold medal; Tom Pidcock secured a first Grand Tour podium at the 2025 Vuelta a Espana; and skateboarder Rayssa Leal received her fourth nomination after winning X Games gold and a Street world title.

World Surf League champions Yago Dora and Molly Picklum both finished 2025 as the World No. 1-ranked surfers, while Kilian Jornet summited all 72 accessible 14,000-foot peaks in the United States in just 31 days.

Among the nominees for the 2026 Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award are three stars from the World Para Swimming Championships: Simone Barlaam, who won four golds; Gabriel Araujo, who set a new world record in the 150m individual medley and earned three golds; and 17-year-old David Kratochvil, who won seven medals, including four golds.

The trio is joined by Kelsey DiClaudio, the MVP and leading scorer of the World Para Ice Hockey Women’s World Championships, and two stars from the World Para Athletics Championships: Kiara Rodriguez, who won gold in the long jump, and Catherine Debrunner, who set a new championship record in the 1500m T54.

The Laureus Sport for Good Award recognizes community sports programs that use sports to enhance young lives. This year’s shortlist includes Futbol Mas, which promotes inclusivity through football projects; MindLeaps, which combines dance with educational support; ASD Gruppo Sportivo Valanga, which offers educational opportunities through multisport workshops; Rugby For Good in Hong Kong, which champions social equity for children with ADHD; Kings County Tennis League, which provides access to tennis for disadvantaged youth; and Transformacion Social TRASO in Mexico, which offers boxing and martial arts sessions alongside group therapy.

The complete list of nominees is as follows: