India Women have been nominated for the Laureus World Team of the Year 2026 at the Laureus Awards, following their historic triumph at the Women’s Cricket World Cup in November 2025. This landmark victory marked India’s first-ever ODI World Cup title, ending decades of near-misses in the tournament.
The nomination places India alongside elite teams such as the England Women’s football team, the European Ryder Cup team, McLaren Mastercard Formula 1, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Paris Saint-Germain. Recognition by the Laureus World Sports Awards highlights India’s excellence, resilience, and contribution to women’s sport on the global stage.
The nominations were announced at a ceremony in Madrid on Tuesday. Winners will be decided by the prestigious Laureus World Sports Academy and revealed at a gala event at the stunning Cibeles Palace in Madrid on April 20, celebrating the finest achievements in international sport.
Laureus World Team of the Year Nominees
- Paris Saint-Germain (Football – France)
- McLaren Formula 1 Team (UK)
- European Ryder Cup Team (Golf – Europe)
- England Women’s Football Team (UK)
- Oklahoma City Thunder (Basketball – USA)
- India Women’s Cricket Team — India
BCCI president Mithun Manhas said, “This nomination is a matter of immense pride for Indian Cricket. Our women’s team has demonstrated extraordinary skill, character and consistency, culminating in a historic ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup victory in 2025.”
“To be recognised alongside some of the most celebrated teams in global sport underscores their hard work and the growing stature of women’s cricket in India. We wish the team every success at the Laureus Awards and are confident that their achievements have made a compelling case on the world stage.”
HOW INDIA BECAME WORLD CHAMPIONS
India Women’s World Cup campaign in 2025 was a roller-coaster ride. They began on a high note with convincing victories over Sri Lanka by 59 runs via the DLS method and Pakistan by 88 runs, with strong batting and disciplined bowling setting the tone for their tournament ambitions.
However, their momentum dipped as they suffered three consecutive defeats against Australia, South Africa, and England, exposing vulnerabilities against top-ranked teams and testing their resilience.
A major setback came when in-form opener Pratika Rawal, who had scored 308 runs in the tournament, was ruled out due to a serious ankle injury sustained while fielding against Bangladesh. Shafali Verma was brought in as her replacement.
Despite these challenges, India regrouped in the knockout stages with remarkable composure. They chased down a record target against Australia in the semi-final and then clinched their first-ever Women’s World Cup title with a 52-run victory over South Africa in the final at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai.
Shafali Verma starred with 87 runs and two wickets, while Deepti Sharma contributed 58 runs and a five-wicket haul. The triumph captured nationwide attention and inspired a new generation of women cricketers.
