Indian cricket star Harmanpreet Kaur was awarded the "Champion Of The World" Award at the CNN-News18 Indian of the Year 2025 ceremony on November 28, 2025. The prestigious award was presented by Jay Shah, the International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairperson, at the event held in New Delhi.
The CNN-News18 Indian of the Year Awards, now in its 15th edition, celebrates individuals who have significantly impacted India's journey through their remarkable achievements. This year's theme, "India's Invincible Icons," shines a spotlight on those who have inspired millions, sparked hope, and touched lives with their extraordinary contributions. Since its inception in 2006, the awards have become a benchmark for excellence, honoring those who inspire the nation to dream bigger and strive for resilience.
Harmanpreet Kaur was recognized for her exceptional leadership in leading the Indian women's cricket team to victory in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025. Under her captaincy, the team secured their first-ever ODI World Cup title on November 2, defeating South Africa in the final at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. This historic win placed Harmanpreet among the elite group of Indian captains, including Kapil Dev, MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, who have led India to World Cup victories.
The CNN-News18 Indian of the Year awards feature multiple categories, including Entertainment, Business, Influencer, Rising Sports Stars, Youth Icon, Global Indian, Iconic Woman Achiever, and Climate Warrior. A distinguished jury of respected leaders from various fields selects the winners through a rigorous evaluation process. This year's jury included Sanjiv Goenka, DY Chandrachud, Indu Malhotra, Prasoon Joshi, Mahesh Jethmalani, Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, Amitabh Kant, Shefali Shah, Sanjeev Bikhchandani, Gagan Narang, and Lara Dutta.
The awards night was attended by several prominent figures, including Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma, coach Amol Muzumdar, and ICC Chairperson Jay Shah. The Blind Women's T20 World Cup champions and cast members Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, from the film 'Saiyaara' also graced the event.
Zakka Jacob, Managing Editor of CNN-News18, emphasized that the Indian of the Year platform celebrates individuals who inspire millions to dream big and push boundaries. Smriti Mehra, CEO of English & Business News, Network18, noted that the 15th edition of the awards is a special milestone, celebrating individuals whose passion, resilience, and creativity inspire people across the country and beyond.
Harmanpreet's journey to success has been marked by perseverance and determination. Growing up in the small town of Moga, Punjab, she overcame societal barriers to pursue her passion for cricket. Her father, Harmandar Singh Bhullar, a sports enthusiast, encouraged her to play cricket and football with boys, and her first coach, Kamaldeesh Singh Sodhi, provided her with free cricket coaching.
In 2017, Harmanpreet gained recognition for her remarkable 171-run innings against Australia in the ICC Women's World Cup semifinal. Now, as the captain who led India to its first Women's Cricket World Cup victory, she continues to inspire aspiring athletes and break stereotypes.
The CNN-News18 Indian of the Year Awards continue to be a significant event, honoring individuals who embody the spirit of India and inspire future generations.
