LUCKNOW: The Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) 2025 brought together the biggest names and defining performances under one roof, honouring a year of achievement while offering a glimpse of what lies ahead. It was an evening that moved quickly, honoured widely, and showcased where Indian sport stands today.Smriti Mandhana led the Sportsperson of the Year honours in the female category, her season marked by authority and consistency. Alongside her, shooter Samrat Rana was recognised in the male category after creating history last year by becoming the first Indian world champion in the 10m air pistol – a defining breakthrough in his career.India’s sporting excellence in 2025 panned across disciplines. Nowhere was that more evident than in the Para Sportspersons of the Year: Sheetal Devi and Sumit Antil.Sheetal Devi’s rise has been defined by historic breakthroughs and medal-winning consistency. A world champion and Paralympic medallist, she has dominated compound archery while also breaking barriers, even earning selection in an able-bodied international squad, a first for an Indian para archer.

Sheetal Devi and Sumit Antil crowned ‘Para Sportspersons of the Year’

Sumit Antil, meanwhile, continues to set the benchmark in para athletics. A multiple-time Paralympic champion and world record holder, he added to his dominance with gold at the World Para Athletics Championships, consistently staying ahead of the field.From there, the ceremony gathered pace with a glittering roll call of the creme de la creme of Indian sports. The Indian women’s cricket team swept team honours, underlining a phase of dominance, while the Board of Control for Cricket in India was named Federation of the Year.“Once again, I would like to thank The Times of India for organising these awards. It is wonderful to see so many talented individuals here. Their achievements are truly extraordinary, and it is important that they are recognised,” said Rajiv Shukla, the BCCI vice-president while receiving the award on behalf of the board.Divya Deshmukh, named Emerging Sportsperson of the Year, signalled a new generation ready for the global stage, while Leander Paes was honoured as Mentor of the Year.

Yogi Adityanath at TOISA 2025

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath bestowed the top honours at the glittering ceremony held at The Centrum in Lucknow.Yet, TOISA 2025 was as much about messaging as it was about recognition. As chief guest, Adityanath laid out a clear policy direction, emphasising the need to build sport from the grassroots up.“We are working to ensure that every district becomes a centre of sporting activity, where facilities, coaching and opportunities are accessible to all. From village-level competitions to international platforms, our aim is to create a seamless pathway for athletes,” he said.He also highlighted the state’s progress in developing sports infrastructure. “Over the past 11–12 years, a sports culture has developed in the country. Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we have taken this forward in Uttar Pradesh since 2017,” he added.“On behalf of the Uttar Pradesh government, I once again welcome all of you. I thank The Times of India Group… for organising this wonderful platform that recognises excellence and inspires the next generation,” he concluded.Among other major winners, Amol Muzumdar was named Coach of the Year for guiding the women’s team to a historic ICC ODI World Cup title, while Subhash Rana won Para Coach of the Year.Shubman Gill and Deepti Sharma were named Cricketers of the Year, while Neeraj Chopra and Rupal Chaudhary took Track & Field honours.

Superstars at TOISA 2025

The evening also reflected on the legacy. Mithali Raj and PR Sreejesh were honoured with Lifetime Achievement awards, celebrating careers that shaped Indian sport’s global identity. The forward gaze came from Devendra Jhajharia, who spoke of a 50-medal target at the LA 2028 Paralympics; not as ambition, but as expectation.The tone, however, had been set at the very start. In his keynote, Prasad Sanyal, Group Business Head of TOI, Indiatimes, and WhatsHot, captured the essence of the evening: “More sweat, more glory – that is the journey Indian sport continues to embrace.”This was the eighth edition of TOISA, celebrating the journeys and achievements of India’s finest athletes across more than 45 sporting categories, covering performances from January 1 to December 31, 2025, a year that once again showcased Indian sport’s growing depth, consistency, and ambition.TOISA 2025 Winners List: Samrat Rana, Smriti Mandhana bag top honours; Sheetal Devi wins female Para Sportsperson of the Year

Smriti Mandhana and Samrat Rana

LUCKNOW: Two world champions from different sporting arenas — Smriti Mandhana and Samrat Rana — were on Saturday named Sportspersons of the Year at the eighth edition of the The Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) in Lucknow.In a glittering ceremony attended by top athletes and dignitaries, pistol shooter Rana and India women’s cricket vice-captain Mandhana were honoured for their exceptional performances in 2025. Both athletes delivered standout campaigns, dominating their respective disciplines and emerging as the finest performers of the year.Mandhana played a defining role in Indian cricket history, helping the team clinch their maiden ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title. India defeated South Africa by 52 runs in the final, with Mandhana contributing significantly throughout the tournament. She scored 434 runs to finish as the second-highest run-getter and also smashed a breathtaking 50-ball century against England — the second-fastest hundred in women’s international cricket.Her dominance extended beyond the World Cup. Over the course of the year, Mandhana became the first woman to score more than 1,000 ODI runs in a calendar year and equalled the record for most ODI centuries in a year with five. She also achieved major career milestones, crossing 4,000 T20I runs and going past 10,000 international runs — becoming only the second Indian after Mithali Raj to reach the landmark.Rana’s historic rise in shootingWhile Mandhana shone on the cricket field, Samrat Rana scripted history in shooting. The 21-year-old became India’s first world champion in the 10m air pistol event, marking a breakthrough moment in his career. At the ISSF World Championships 2025, Rana delivered a sensational performance, winning two gold medals — in individual and team events — along with a silver in the mixed team competition alongside Esha Singh.With this feat, Rana joined an elite list of Indian shooting world champions that includes Abhinav Bindra and Rudrankksh Patil. He capped off his remarkable season with a bronze medal at the Doha World Cup Final, underlining his consistency at the highest level.Celebrating a landmark year for Indian sportThe eighth edition of TOISA celebrated India’s sporting excellence across more than 45 categories, recognising performances between January 1 and December 31, 2025. The awards highlighted a year filled with historic achievements, including India’s success in global cricket tournaments, athletics and para sports.The winners were selected by a distinguished jury comprising legends such as Abhinav Bindra, PR Sreejesh, Mithali Raj, Achanta Sharath Kamal, Leander Paes and Devendra Jhajharia.

The eighth edition of the Times of India Sports Awards will be held on March 21, 2026, in Lucknow, celebrating the achievements of India’s finest athletes across multiple disciplines. The awards recognise performances delivered between January 1 and December 31, 2025, honouring standout displays at global championships and major international events. With more than 45 categories, TOISA highlights both established stars and emerging talents who brought pride to the nation through exceptional performances over the past year.The winners will be selected by a distinguished jury comprising some of India’s most celebrated sporting icons. Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra, hockey great PR Sreejesh, former India captain Mithali Raj, Paralympic legend Devendra Jhajharia, table tennis stalwart Sharath Kamal and tennis icon Leander Paes will evaluate the nominees across categories, ensuring a credible and expert assessment of excellence in Indian sport.The nominees for the Sportsperson of the Year category reflect the diversity and success of Indian sport in 2025. Teenage shooting sensation Suruchi Inder Singh enjoyed a breakthrough season with five gold medals across ISSF World Cup stages and a silver at the World Championships. Chess prodigy Divya Deshmukh made history by winning the Women’s Chess World Cup and earning the Grandmaster title. In cricket, Smriti Mandhana played a key role in India’s maiden ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup triumph, while Shubman Gill enjoyed a prolific year that included titles in the ICC Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup. Young shooter Samrat Rana also shone on the global stage, becoming world champion in the 10m air pistol, capping off a memorable year for Indian sport.Here are the nominees for Sportsperson of the Year at TOISA 2025:Suruchi Inder SinghDate of Birth: April 28, 2006Place of Birth: Jhajjar, HaryanaSport: Shooting (10m air pistol)Major Achievements in 2025:ISSF World Championships: Silver (Team)ISSF World Cup Final: Gold (Individual)ISSF World Cup Buenos Aires: Gold (Individual), Bronze (Mixed Team)ISSF World Cup Lima: Gold (Individual), Gold (Mixed Team)ISSF World Cup Munich: Gold (Individual)Asian Championships: Bronze (Team), Bronze (Mixed Team)2025 was a breakthrough year for teenage shooter Suruchi Singh. The 19-year-old rose to prominence after winning five gold medals across ISSF World Cup stages. She began with individual gold at the ISSF World Cup in Argentina, where she also claimed mixed team bronze. She followed it up with a double gold at the ISSF World Cup in Peru, winning the individual title and the mixed team gold with Saurabh Chaudhary. Suruchi then secured another individual gold at the ISSF World Cup in Germany before clinching her fifth gold at the ISSF World Cup Final in Doha. She also added a team silver at the ISSF World Championships and won two bronze medals at the Asian Championships, completing a remarkable season. Divya DeshmukhDate of Birth: December 9, 2005Place of Birth: Nagpur, MaharashtraSport: ChessMajor Achievements in 2025:Women’s Chess World Cup: WinnerGrandmaster (GM) titleQualified for the 2026 Women’s Candidates TournamentBorn on December 9, 2005, in Nagpur, Maharashtra, Divya Deshmukh has rapidly established herself as one of India’s brightest chess talents. Known for her sharp calculation, strategic depth, and composure under pressure, Divya has consistently impressed on the international stage, combining tactical brilliance with a strong competitive mindset.The year 2025 proved historic for her career. She won the Women’s Chess World Cup, defeating top contenders and announcing herself as a major force in global women’s chess. This landmark victory also earned her the prestigious Grandmaster (GM) title, making her India’s 88th Grandmaster and the fourth Indian woman to achieve this feat. Additionally, her performances secured her qualification for the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament, bringing her a step closer to challenging for the Women’s World Championship.With her talent, dedication, and early success, Divya Deshmukh is widely regarded as a future star in Indian and international chess, inspiring a new generation of players.Smriti MandhanaDate of Birth: July 18, 1996Place of Birth: Mumbai, MaharashtraSport: CricketMajor Achievements in 2025:ICC ODI World Cup 2025: Winner as vice-captain of Team IndiaODI stats in 2025: 1362 runs in 23 matches | Ave. 61.9 | SR 109.92 | 5 hundredsT20I stats in 2025: 341 runs in 9 matches | Ave. 37.88 | SR 135.85 | 1 hundredIn 2025, Smriti Mandhana played a defining role in Indian women’s cricket history as vice-captain of the side that lifted the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title — India’s first-ever triumph in the tournament. India defeated South Africa by 52 runs in the final at the DY Patil Stadium on November 2, capping off a memorable campaign. Mandhana was central to the victory, scoring 434 runs in the tournament to finish as the second-highest run-getter. During the event, smashed a breathtaking 50-ball hundred against England — the second-fastest century in women’s international cricket. Over the calendar year, she became the first woman to score more than 1,000 ODI runs in a single year and broke her own record for most ODI centuries in a year, hitting five in 2025 — joint-most alongside Tazmin Brits.Mandhana also reached significant career milestones across formats. In December, during a home series against Sri Lanka, she became only the second woman after Suzie Bates to cross 4,000 runs in T20 Internationals. In the same series, she went past 10,000 runs in women’s international cricket, becoming just the second Indian after Mithali Raj and the fourth batter overall to achieve the landmark — further cementing her legacy as one of the modern greats of the game.Samrat RanaDate of Birth: January 8, 2005Place of Birth: Karnal, HaryanaSport: Shooting (10m Air Pistol)Major Achievements in 2025:ISSF World Championships: Gold (Individual), Gold (Team) & Silver (Mixed Team)ISSF World Cup Final: Bronze (Individual)Young Samrat Rana created history last year by becoming the first world champion from India in his event, the 10m Air Pistol, marking a defining breakthrough in his career. The former junior world champion delivered a sensational performance at the ISSF World Championships 2025, where he emerged as one of the biggest stars of the tournament with a haul of three medals. Rana clinched the gold medal in the individual event and followed it up with another gold in the team competition. He also secured a silver medal in the mixed team event alongside Esha Singh.With this outstanding performance, Rana became only the third Indian shooting world champion, joining the elite list that includes Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra and world champion Rudrankksh Patil. The 21-year-old continued to shine later in the season, adding a bronze medal at the Doha World Cup Final, ensuring that the year would go down as one of the most memorable and significant phases of his rapidly progressing shooting journey.Shubman GillDate of Birth: September 8, 1999Place of Birth: Fazilka, PunjabSport: CricketMajor Achievements in 2025:ICC Champions Trophy 2025: WinnersACC Asia Cup: WinnersTest stats in 2025: 983 runs in 9 matches | Ave. 70.21 | HS 269 | 5 hundredsODI stats in 2025: 490 runs in 11 matches | Ave. 49.00 | SR 88.76 | 2 hundredsT20I stats in 2025: 291 runs in 15 matches | Ave. 24.25 | SR 137.26 | HS 47 Shubman Gill enjoyed a phenomenal 2025, cementing his status as one of world cricket’s premier batters. He won two ICC Men’s Player of the Month honours during the year, becoming the first male cricketer to claim the accolade four times in total. Entering the ICC Champions Trophy as the top-ranked ODI batter, Gill struck an unbeaten 101 against Bangladesh in the group stage, setting the tone for India’s title-winning campaign. He also served as deputy to Suryakumar Yadav in the 2025 Asia Cup (T20), where India lifted the trophy after defeating Pakistan in the final.In Tests, Gill ushered in a new era as captain following the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He marked his leadership debut with a century at Headingley, joining the elite list of Indian captains to score a hundred in their first Test in charge. He followed it up with successive centuries at Edgbaston, including a monumental 269 — the highest Test score by an Indian captain — and 161 in the same match, amassing 430 runs, the second-highest aggregate in a Test after Graham Gooch. Gill also became only the third Indian captain to score five Test centuries in a calendar year, emulating Kohli’s rare feat.

Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana has been named in Barbie’s first-ever Dream Team, becoming the first cricketer in the world to receive a one-of-a-kind Barbie doll inspired by her journey. The announcement was made on Thursday, March 5.Toy manufacturer Mattel aligned the recognition with International Women’s Day, which is observed every year on March 8. According to the company, the initiative aims to honour women who have broken barriers in their respective fields. The doll created in Mandhana’s likeness has been specially designed to celebrate her achievements and will not be available for retail sale.Mandhana features in the Dream Team alongside several prominent global personalities. The list includes tennis great Serena Williams, astronaut Kellie Gerardi, racing driver Regina Sirvent Alvarado, England footballer Chloe Kelly, singer Helene Fischer, climber Zoja Skubis and surfer Stephanie Gilmore.“The dream is real and we have the team to prove it,” Mattel said in a statement while unveiling the initiative. “Ahead of International Women’s Day, Barbie is proud to announce our first-ever Barbie Dream Team, honouring eight women from across the globe who have led the way for future generations of girls by accomplishing breakthrough firsts in their chosen paths.”Mandhana later shared pictures of her personalised Barbie doll on Instagram, admitting that the moment still feels surreal.“Still processing this moment… Seeing a one-of-a-kind @Barbie doll inspired by my journey is something I never imagined growing up. Cricket has given me so much, and if my story helps even one girl believe she belongs on the field, that means everything. Honored to be part of Barbie’s Dream Team alongside incredible women from around the world who are breaking barriers in their own fields. When girls see what’s possible, they dream bigger,” Mandhana said.Mandhana currently serves as India’s vice-captain across formats and is widely regarded as one of the side’s most dependable batters. She recently climbed back to the No. 1 position in the ICC ODI batting rankings. Earlier this year, she also captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their second title in the Women’s Premier League. At the peak of her career, Mandhana continues to shine both on and off the field.

Smriti Mandhana of India (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

India Women beat Australia Women by 17 runs on Saturday in the third T20I match in Adelaide to win the series 2-1. Smriti Mandhana was the star with the bat, while Shree Charani and Shreyanka Patil impressed with the ball for India.India won the toss and chose to bat first. Mandhana and Shafali Verma opened the innings. India had a steady start, but Shafali got out early.

Mandhana then built a strong partnership with Jemimah Rodrigues and helped India take control of the match. She played a brilliant innings and scored 82 runs off 55 balls, hitting several boundaries and sixes. Mandhana reached her fifty in just 38 balls and kept the scoreboard ticking with confident strokes.Jemimah Rodrigues also played well and scored 59 runs, while Richa Ghosh added quick runs at the end with 18 off 7 balls. India lost a few wickets in the final over but still finished with a strong total of 176 for 6.In response, Australia started aggressively. Openers Georgia Voll and Beth Mooney scored quickly in the first over, but India struck back fast. Shreyanka Patil dismissed Voll, and Shree Charani got Mooney out soon after. Ellyse Perry was also dismissed early, leaving Australia in trouble at 32 for 3.Ashleigh Gardner fought hard for Australia and scored 57 runs, but she did not get much support from the rest of the batters. India’s bowlers kept taking wickets regularly, and Australia finished on 159 for 9, falling short by 17 runs.Shree Charani and Shreyanka Patil took three wickets each and played a big role in restricting Australia. Mandhana was named Player of the Match for her match-winning innings.With this win, India sealed the T20I series 2-1 in Australia.

Mohammed Shami and Ishan Kishan (X-Cricbuzz)

Several familiar names have been left out as the BCCI announced its central contracts for the 2025–26 season on Monday, with Mohammed Shami, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Mukesh Kumar and Ishan Kishan missing out despite being part of the previous cycle. The Board awarded annual retainers to 30 men and 21 women cricketers, categorising them into Groups A, B and C. Notably, the A+ category has been scrapped, a move that has reshaped the contract hierarchy.

Senior stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been placed in Group B, a downgrade that was largely expected following their retirement from Tests and T20Is respectively, effectively making them one-format players. Under the current criteria, which factors in performances and the number of matches played in the preceding season, they were no longer eligible for the top bracket. For the first time in his career, Shubman Gill finds himself in the highest pay grade, as the two-format captain was retained in Group A alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja. While the BCCI has not officially disclosed the retainership amounts, Group A was previously valued at Rs 5 crore annually, with Group B and C fetching Rs 3 crore and Rs 1 crore respectively before the A+ category was abolished. The decision to do away with A+ stems from the fact that Bumrah is now the only player who remains an automatic selection across all formats. The category, introduced during the COA era for all-format excellence, previously featured only Kohli, Rohit, Jadeja and Bumrah. The men’s list has been trimmed from 34 to 30 players, with Shami’s exclusion seen as a strong signal that he may be out of the selectors’ immediate plans. Kishan, Mukesh and Sarfaraz were also dropped after failing to play a single international match during the evaluation period. While Kishan has returned to the T20I setup, that comeback falls in the new cycle. One notable inclusion is Sai Sudharsan, the only new entrant in the senior men’s contract list. On the women’s side, Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma retained their Group A status, while Jemimah Rodrigues earned a promotion following her standout World Cup performances.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s captain Smriti Mandhana and teammate Georgia Voll (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil)

The Women’s Premier League has quickly established itself as a landmark tournament in women’s cricket, delivering high-quality competition, packed stadiums and memorable finals since its inception in 2023. In just four editions, the league has already produced a clear pattern of dominance, heartbreak and recurring rivalries.Mumbai Indians were the inaugural champions in 2023, setting the benchmark in the league’s first season. Led by a balanced squad and strong leadership, MI defeated Delhi Capitals in the final, beginning a trend that would see DC repeatedly fall short on the biggest stage.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru broke through in 2024, claiming their maiden WPL title by once again denying Delhi Capitals in the final. That defeat marked DC’s second straight runner-up finish, reinforcing their reputation as one of the most consistent teams without silverware.WPL winners list2023 – Mumbai Indians (Runner-up: Delhi Capitals)2024 – Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Runner-up: Delhi Capitals)2025 – Mumbai Indians (Runner-up: Delhi Capitals)2026 – Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Runner-up: Delhi Capitals)Mumbai Indians returned to the summit in 2025, lifting their second trophy and reaffirming their status as a powerhouse in the competition. For Delhi Capitals, the disappointment deepened as they finished runners-up for the third time in as many finals.The 2026 season followed a familiar script. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, inspired by captain Smriti Mandhana, lifted their second WPL title with a commanding six-wicket win over Delhi Capitals in the final. Mandhana’s magnificent 87 off 41 balls, combined with Georgia Voll’s fluent 79 in a record 165-run stand, powered RCB to a memorable chase of 203. The victory also saw RCB draw level with Mumbai Indians as the most successful teams in WPL history.Despite valiant efforts from Jemimah Rodrigues, Chinelle Henry, Laura Wolvaardt and Lizelle Lee, Delhi Capitals once again stumbled at the final hurdle, finishing runners-up for the fourth time in four finals.