India women’s cricket team (Photo by PTI)

NEW DELHI: India’s women’s cricket team has achieved another historic milestone as they have been nominated for the 2026 Laureus World Team of the Year Award after winning their first-ever World Cup title.The nomination, confirmed by Laureus Sport, makes them the first women’s cricket team to receive this honour. Their journey to the title included a record-breaking moment in the semi-final against Australia, where they completed the highest successful run chase in women’s ODI history — 339 runs — before going on to defeat South Africa in the final.

Laureus Sport said in a press release: “In their Cricket World Cup semi-final against Australia, the India Women’s Cricket Team pulled off the highest successful run chase in women’s ODI history (339) – before winning their first title against South Africa and are the first women’s cricket team to be nominated for this Award.”Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian team now finds itself in elite company. They have been nominated alongside global heavyweights such as the England Women’s football team, the European Ryder Cup squad, Paris Saint-Germain, and the McLaren Formula 1 team.Their World Cup victory sparked celebrations across India, with the BCCI announcing a cash reward of Rs 51 crore for the squad.The team also joins a small list of Indian sportspersons previously nominated in major Laureus categories, including Vinesh Phogat, Neeraj Chopra, and Rishabh Pant.The winners will be chosen by the Laureus World Sports Academy jury and announced at a grand ceremony at the Cibeles Palace in Madrid on April 20, marking the third straight year the Spanish capital will host the event.