The India women’s national cricket team has been shortlisted for the 2026 Laureus World Team of the Year Award, one of the most prestigious honours in global sport. The nomination was confirmed by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation following the team’s historic maiden victory in the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.
This marks the first time a women’s cricket team has been shortlisted for the Laureus World Team of the Year category, highlighting the growing global recognition of women’s cricket.
Key Highlights
| Aspect | Details |
| Team | India Women’s Cricket Team |
| Award Category | Laureus World Team of the Year |
| Year | 2026 |
| Achievement | First ICC Women’s ODI World Cup victory (2025) |
| Unique Record | Highest successful run chase in women’s ODI history (semi-final vs Australia) |
| Cash Reward | ₹51 crore announced for the team |
The nomination recognises the team’s extraordinary performance during a landmark year for Indian women’s cricket.
Historic ICC Women’s World Cup Triumph (2025)
The team’s nomination follows their historic victory in the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, which marked:
- India’s first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup title
- A defining moment for women’s cricket in India
- The culmination of years of progress and development in the women’s game.
The victory generated nationwide celebrations, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a cash reward of ₹51 crore for the squad in recognition of their achievement.
One of the standout performances during the tournament was India’s record-breaking run chase in the semifinal against Australia, the highest successful run chase in women’s ODI history.
Laureus World Team of the Year Nominees (2026)
The Indian team features among a distinguished group of global sports teams nominated for the award.
| Team | Sport | Country/Region |
| Paris Saint-Germain | Football | France |
| McLaren Formula One Team | Formula 1 | United Kingdom |
| European Ryder Cup Team | Golf | Europe |
| England women’s national football team | Football | United Kingdom |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | Basketball | USA |
| India Women’s Cricket Team | Cricket | India |
The shortlist reflects the best-performing teams across major global sports.
Previous Indian Laureus Nominees
The Indian women’s team joins a select group of Indian athletes previously nominated in Laureus categories, including:
| Athlete | Year | Sport |
| Vinesh Phogat | 2019 | Wrestling |
| Neeraj Chopra | 2022 | Athletics |
| Rishabh Pant | 2025 | Cricket |
This nomination further strengthens India’s growing recognition on the global sporting stage.
Laureus World Sports Awards
The Laureus World Sports Awards are among the most prestigious awards in global sports.
Key Facts
| Feature | Details |
| First held | 2000 |
| Organised by | Laureus Sport for Good Foundation |
| Voting body | Laureus World Sports Academy |
| Selection Process | Votes from over 1,000 sports journalists across 70+ countries |
| 2026 Ceremony | 20 April 2026 |
| Host City | Madrid |
The awards recognise the most outstanding sporting achievements and inspirational performances across disciplines.
The 2026 ceremony in Madrid will be the third consecutive time the Spanish capital hosts the event.