The Times of India Sports Awards Returns for Eighth Edition to Celebrate Indian Sporting Excellence
The prestigious Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) is making a grand comeback for its eighth edition, poised to honor the inspiring narratives and remarkable achievements of India's premier athletes across a diverse spectrum of sports. The much-anticipated TOISA 2025 ceremony is scheduled to unfold on March 21, 2026, in the historic city of Lucknow, promising a night of celebration and recognition.
A Gathering of Sporting Luminaries and Emerging Talents
This flagship event will serve as a confluence of celebrated sports icons and promising new talents who have brought immense pride to the nation throughout the past year. The awards will meticulously evaluate performances spanning from January 1 to December 31, 2025, a period that witnessed Indian sports ascend to new heights with numerous memorable victories and record-shattering moments at world championships and major international tournaments.
In a significant expansion, TOISA 2025 will acknowledge athletes in more than 45 distinct sports categories, reflecting the growing depth and diversity of Indian sporting prowess. The selection process will be guided by an esteemed jury comprising some of India's most revered sports personalities, ensuring the awards maintain their credibility and prestige.
Star-Studded Jury to Determine Winners
The TOISA 2025 jury features an illustrious lineup of sporting legends, each bringing their unparalleled experience and insight to the table. This distinguished panel includes:
- Leander Paes – Tennis icon and Olympic medalist
- Mithali Raj – Cricket legend and former captain
- Abhinav Bindra – Shooting champion and India's first individual Olympic gold medalist
- Devendra Jhajharia – Para athletics star and multiple Paralympic gold medalist
- Sharath Kamal – Table tennis veteran and Commonwealth Games champion
- PR Sreejesh – Hockey goalkeeper and Olympic medalist
These accomplished athletes will collaborate to select the deserving winners across all categories, adding immense value to the awards' selection process.
Badminton Stars Shine Bright Among Nominees
The year 2025 proved particularly impressive for Indian badminton, with ten players receiving nominations across men's and women's singles and doubles categories. This strong representation underscores India's rising talent and global competitiveness in the sport. Among the notable nominees are Lakshya Sen, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, and Chirag Shetty, each having delivered outstanding performances throughout the qualification period.
Men's Badminton Nominees: A Blend of Experience and Youth
Lakshya Sen (Born: August 16, 2001, Almora, Uttarakhand) demonstrated his status as one of India's premier badminton players in 2025. His major achievements include winning the Australian Open Super 500 men's singles title in Sydney, making him only the second Indian male player to claim this tournament. He also secured a silver medal at the Hong Kong Open Super 500 and reached multiple semifinals, showcasing remarkable consistency. His semifinal appearance at the 2024 Paris Olympics further validated his ability to compete with the world's best.
Ayush Shetty (Born: May 3, 2005, Karkala, Udupi, Karnataka) emerged as one of India's most promising rising stars. He captured the US Open Super 300 gold medal in 2025, marking his first BWF World Tour title victory. Following his silver medal at the 2023 BWF World Junior Championships, Shetty transitioned seamlessly to senior tournaments, defeating several top-ranked players and demonstrating steady improvement that signals a bright future in men's singles.
Chirag Shetty (Born: July 4, 1997, Malad, Mumbai) specializes in men's doubles alongside his regular partner Satwiksairaj Rankireddy. Together, they form one of the world's top men's doubles pairs. In 2025, Shetty achieved a bronze medal at the BWF World Championships and silver medals at both the Hong Kong Open and China Masters. Known for his exceptional speed, agility, and impeccable teamwork, Shetty has been instrumental in numerous international triumphs.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy (Born: August 13, 2000, Amalapuram, Andhra Pradesh) partners with Chirag Shetty to create India's most successful men's doubles combination. Renowned for his powerful smashes, lightning-fast reflexes, and strategic acumen, Rankireddy has contributed significantly to multiple international titles and medals at prestigious events like the World Championships and Asian Games, solidifying his position as a cornerstone of Indian badminton.
Kiran George (Born: February 11, 2000, Kochi, Kerala) showcased his growing prowess by winning the Odisha Masters Super 100 gold medal in 2025, his second title at this event following his 2022 victory. His consistent performances across various BWF tournaments, characterized by an attacking style and confident court presence, mark him as one of India's most promising men's singles prospects for the future.
Women's Badminton Nominees: Rising Stars Making Their Mark
Tanvi Sharma (Born: December 22, 2008, Hoshiarpur, Punjab) enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2025, capturing the silver medal at the BWF World Junior Championships to become the first Indian girl in 17 years to achieve this feat. She also reached the final of the US Open Super 300 and earned a bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Junior Championships. Known for her exceptional speed, technical skill, and unwavering determination, Sharma's performances indicate a tremendously promising future in women's singles.
Unnati Hooda (Born: September 20, 2007, Rohtak, Haryana) delivered an outstanding 2025 season, winning the Odisha Masters Super 100 gold medal for the second time. Her year was highlighted by a quarterfinal appearance at the China Open where she defeated Olympic medalist PV Sindhu, along with a semifinal finish at the Taipei Open. Remarkably, Hooda also excelled academically, scoring 93% in her CBSE Class 12 examinations. Her combination of speed, skill, and determination positions her as one of India's most exciting young women's singles players.
Treesa Jolly (Born: May 27, 2003, Cherupuzha, Kerala) partners with Gayatri Gopichand in women's doubles. In 2025, she won the Syed Modi International Super 300 title and reached multiple finals in international competitions. Jolly also secured the mixed doubles title at the Türkiye International Challenge with Hariharan Amsakarunan. She and Gopichand were integral members of the Indian team that clinched a historic gold medal at the Badminton Asia Team Championships, achieving a career-best world ranking of No. 9.
Gayatri Gopichand (Born: March 4, 2003, Hyderabad, Telangana) forms a formidable women's doubles partnership with Treesa Jolly. Her 2025 achievements include winning the Syed Modi International Super 300 and advancing to deep rounds in several BWF tournaments. Like her partner, she contributed to India's gold medal victory at the Badminton Asia Team Championships and reached the No. 9 world ranking. Gopichand is celebrated for her agility, intelligent gameplay, and exceptional teamwork, making her a vital asset to Indian badminton.
The TOISA 2025 ceremony in Lucknow promises to be a landmark event, not only celebrating past achievements but also inspiring future generations of Indian athletes to strive for excellence on the global stage.
