The India women’s national cricket team has been nominated for the 2026 Laureus World Team of the Year Award. The honour comes after their historic ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup triumph at home in Mumbai.
It is the first time any women’s cricket team has been shortlisted for this award. The winners will be announced on April 20 in Madrid.
India’s nomination follows a dramatic 2025 World Cup campaign. The team lost three early group matches and looked close to elimination.
But they fought back strongly, winning key games to reach the knockout stage. Their belief and calm under pressure changed the mood of the tournament.
In the semifinal, India pulled off a stunning run chase against Australia. They chased down a record target to book their place in the final.
In the final in Mumbai, India defeated South Africa by 52 runs. The victory sealed their maiden ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title in front of a packed home crowd.
The campaign is now being called a turning point for women’s cricket in the country. It showed how far the team has come and how big the sport has become in India.
The Laureus World Sports Awards are among the most respected honours in global sport. Being nominated puts India’s women alongside some of the biggest names in world sport.
Other teams nominated this year include the England women’s national football team, the European Ryder Cup team, McLaren F1 Team, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Paris Saint-Germain F.C..
India’s presence at Laureus has grown in recent years. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant and Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra have all been part of Laureus honours in the past.
Now, it is the women’s cricket team carrying the flag. Their World Cup win was not just about a trophy. It was about belief, fight and a new chapter for Indian sport.