After winning India’s maiden Women’s ODI World Cup, Harmanpreet Kaur and Co. are now in the running for sport’s most coveted team honour — competing with PSG, McLaren F1, and more on the global stage.
India’s World Cup-winning women’s cricket team has been shortlisted for the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards — often called the “Oscars of Sport” — in the Team of the Year category for 2026. This is a historic first: no women’s cricket team has ever received this recognition in the award’s 26-year history.
The BCCI confirmed the nomination on March 3, 2026, just months after the Women in Blue ended South Africa’s challenge in the final to lift their first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup title — a moment that gripped an entire nation.
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Who Are the Other Nominees?
India stands shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the most dominant teams across global sport in 2025:
| Team | Sport | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| India Women’s Cricket | Cricket 🏏 | Maiden ICC Women’s ODI World Cup title |
| Paris Saint-Germain | Football ⚽ | Maiden UEFA Champions League + 6 trophies |
| McLaren F1 Team | Formula 1 🏎️ | 10th Constructors’ Championship |
| England Women’s Football | Football ⚽ | Defended UEFA Women’s Euro title |
| European Ryder Cup Team | Golf ⛳ | Record-extending 16th Ryder Cup |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | Basketball 🏀 | First NBA title + matched Bulls’ wins record |
Why Cricket Nomination Is So Special
The road to glory wasn’t smooth. India lost three consecutive group games — to South Africa, Australia, and England — and were staring at an early exit. What followed was nothing short of cinematic.
India pulled off the highest successful run chase in Women’s ODI history — 339 runs against Australia in the semi-final, powered by Jemimah Rodrigues’ sensational century. They then beat South Africa in the final, with Shefali Verma delivering an all-round masterclass.
The award shortlist is decided by votes from over 1,000 sports media representatives across 70+ countries, underscoring the global recognition this team has earned. Winners will be announced at a gala ceremony at the Cibeles Palace, Madrid, on April 20, 2026.
Want to relive the team’s incredible journey? Check out our in-depth coverage on TechnoSports — India Women’s Cricket Hub for match reports, player profiles, and analysis.
“This nomination is a matter of immense pride for Indian Cricket. Our women’s team has demonstrated extraordinary skill, character and consistency.”— Mithun Manhas, BCCI President
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia added that the 2025 triumph was a “watershed moment” that has inspired a new generation of young girls to take up the sport — something stats are already beginning to reflect.
This is only the third time Indian cricket has featured at Laureus. Previous nods went to wrestler Vinesh Phogat (Comeback of the Year, 2019) and Neeraj Chopra (Breakthrough of the Year, post-Tokyo 2020). But a Team of the Year nomination? That’s uncharted territory — and India’s women earned every bit of it.
For more on Indian cricket’s biggest moments, read our piece on Harmanpreet Kaur’s best moments in international cricket on TechnoSports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When will the Laureus World Team of the Year 2026 winner be announced?
The winners will be revealed at a gala ceremony at Cibeles Palace in Madrid, Spain, onApril 20, 2026, with the final selection made by the 69-member Laureus World Sports Academy via secret ballot.
Q: Is India’s women’s cricket team the first from cricket to be nominated for this Laureus award?
Yes — India’s women’s side is thefirst women’s cricket team in historyto be shortlisted for the Laureus World Team of the Year, making this a landmark moment for the sport globally.
