Smriti Mandhana and Samrat Rana Honored as Sportspersons of the Year at TOISA 2025
In a spectacular ceremony held in Lucknow on Saturday, two world champions from distinct sporting disciplines—cricket vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and pistol shooter Samrat Rana—were named Sportspersons of the Year at the eighth edition of The Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA). The glittering event, attended by top athletes and dignitaries, celebrated their exceptional performances throughout 2025, highlighting a landmark year for Indian sports.
Smriti Mandhana's Historic Cricket Achievements
Smriti Mandhana played a pivotal role in Indian cricket history, leading the women's team to their maiden ICC Women's Cricket World Cup title. In the final against South Africa, India secured a 52-run victory, with Mandhana contributing significantly throughout the tournament. She scored 434 runs, finishing as the second-highest run-getter, and smashed a breathtaking 50-ball century against England—the second-fastest hundred in women's international cricket.
Her dominance extended far beyond the World Cup. Throughout 2025, Mandhana became the first woman to score over 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 surpassing 10,000 international runs, becoming only the second Indian after Mithali Raj to reach this landmark.
Samrat Rana's Breakthrough in Shooting
While Mandhana shone on the cricket field, 21-year-old Samrat Rana scripted history in shooting. He 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 of international competition.
Celebrating a Landmark Year for Indian Sport
The eighth edition of TOISA celebrated India's sporting excellence across more than 45 categories, recognizing 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. This panel of experts ensured that the accolades reflected true sporting merit and outstanding contributions to Indian sports.
The ceremony in Lucknow not only honored individual athletes but also underscored the growing prominence of Indian sports on the global stage. With stars like Mandhana and Rana leading the charge, the future looks bright for Indian athletics, inspiring a new generation of athletes to pursue excellence in their respective fields.
