Smriti Mandhana was crowned BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year, adding another prestigious honour to a career that continues to scale new heights. With the India vice-captain away in Australia on national duty, it was her mother, Smita Mandhana, who stepped up to receive the award on her behalf at the ceremony.
The moment quickly became one of the most talked-about highlights of the evening, not just because of Mandhana’s achievements on the field but because of the message delivered from the stage. Accepting the award, Smita Mandhana spoke with emotion and conviction about the importance of supporting young girls in pursuing their dreams.
“For all the mothers I’d like to say, let the child — let the girl be what she wants to be like. Not only education, sports also is necessary and I think we should allow the daughters to do whatever she wants to do,” she said.
Her words resonated beyond the auditorium, striking at the heart of a broader conversation around opportunity, encouragement and gender equality in sport. Mandhana’s own journey has often been cited as an example of how family support can shape sporting success.
Growing up in Maharashtra, she was introduced to cricket at a young age, inspired in part by her brother’s involvement in the sport. Her parents’ willingness to back her ambitions including early morning practice sessions and travel commitments laid the foundation for what would become one of the most successful careers in Indian women’s cricket.
Mandhana’s year on the field has been equally inspiring. She enjoyed a prolific 2025 season with the bat, amassing 1,703 international runs across formats, including 1,362 in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) alone. The numbers placed her among the most consistent performers in world cricket and reinforced her status as one of the modern greats of the women’s game. Her ability to combine elegance with aggression at the top of the order has made her a central figure in India’s batting line-up across formats.
Yet the award ceremony offered a reminder that behind every athlete’s success story lies a network of support. Smita Mandhana’s remarks highlighted the balancing act many families navigate between academics and sport, particularly for girls in societies where traditional expectations can still influence career choices. By urging parents to give daughters the freedom to explore both education and sport, she framed cricket not as a distraction from studies but as a legitimate and rewarding path.
Mandhana herself has frequently acknowledged her family’s influence, crediting them for the sacrifices made during her formative years. While she was unable to attend the ceremony due to international commitments, her mother’s presence underscored that shared journey.
The BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year award recognises not only excellence in performance but also impact and inspiration. In that sense, the evening captured both elements. On one hand stood the achievements of a batter who continues to redefine benchmarks; on the other, a mother’s message encouraging a generation of families to embrace possibility.
As Mandhana continues her campaign abroad, the image of her mother holding the trophy serves as a powerful symbol of support, belief and the evolving landscape of women’s sport in India.
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