New Delhi: The Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian women’s cricket team has been nominated for the prestigious 2026 Laureus World Team of the Year Award after clinching their maiden ODI World Cup title last year. India defeated favourites South Africa in the final at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai to bring an end to their long wait for their first ODI World Cup triumph.

Harmanpreet & Co. found a place in the elite list as Laureus Sport confirmed the nominations for the Team of the Year award on Tuesday. The Indian women’s cricket team has been nominated alongside the England women’s football team, the European Ryder Cup Team Golf, the McLaren Formula One team, the NBA side Oklahoma City Thunder and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) football club.

The Indian women’s team has been nominated for the prestigious award for the first time in history. India also became the first women’s cricket team to be nominated for the award, highlighting their unparalleled achievement. India pulled off the highest successful chase in women’s ODI history to beat Australia in the semifinal of the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup before winning the final.

In the high-octane final, India beat South Africa by 52 runs after a dominant all-round show at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Asked to bat first, India rode on opener Shafali Verma’s brilliant knock of 87 runs and a half-century from Deepti Sharma to post a strong total of 298 runs on the board in 50 overs.

Despite a gritty century from captain Laura Wolvaardt, South Africa were skittled out for 246 runs in the run chase as Deepti Sharma’s fifer set up a historic win for India. The landmark win was dubbed the 83 moment for women’s cricket in India, with many tipping it to act as an inspiration for generations to come.

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat (2019), Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra (2022) and Rishabh Pant (2025) are some other Indian athletes to have been nominated for the Laureus Award in major categories.

Who are the other contenders for 2026 Laureus World Team of the Year Award

England women’s football team – Won their second successive Euro title with a victory over reigning world champions Spain in the final.

PSG (France) Football – Won their maiden Champions League title after beating Inter Milan 5-0 in the final. Won six titles across the calendar year in a historic feat.

McLaren Formula 1 team (UK) Motor Racing – Won their 10th World Constructors’ Championship with as many as six races to spare.

European Ryder Cup Team Golf – They won their 16th Ryder Cup title with a 15-13 win, their first championship since 2012.

Oklahoma City Thunder (USA) Basketball – Won their maiden NBA title and equalled the Chicago Bulls’ record for most wins in a season, which was set in 1996/97.