India Men’s Cricket Team Earns Historic Laureus Nomination Following T20 World Cup Triumph
NEW DELHI – The Indian Men’s Cricket Team has etched its name in sporting history, securing a nomination for the prestigious 2025 Laureus World Team of the Year Award. This marks the first time an Asian cricket team has been shortlisted for the honor, often described as the ‘Oscars of Sport.’ The nomination comes on the heels of their unbeaten campaign to win the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
A Milestone for Indian Sport
The nomination, confirmed by the Laureus World Sports Academy, places the Rohit Sharma-led side in elite territory. The recognition rewards the team’s resilience and tactical dominance during the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies, where they became the first team in history to lift the trophy without losing a single match in the tournament.
In a press statement, Laureus Sport highlighted the team’s ability to handle immense pressure, particularly in the thriller final against South Africa in Barbados, ending an 11-year ICC trophy drought for the nation.
T20 World Cup 2024: The Road to Glory
The campaign was defined by collective brilliance rather than individual reliance. While the inputs suggested a record run chase, the actual victory was built on defending totals and strategic bowling. The final against South Africa remains one of the most viewed sporting events globally.
| Team | Score | Key Performer |
|---|---|---|
| India | 176/7 (20 overs) | Virat Kohli (76 off 59) |
| South Africa | 169/8 (20 overs) | Heinrich Klaasen (52 off 27) |
| Result | India won by 7 runs | |
Elite Company: The 2025 Nominees
The Indian team faces stiff competition from global sporting giants. The Laureus World Team of the Year shortlist includes champions from football, basketball, and motor racing.
- Real Madrid (Football) – UEFA Champions League winners
- Boston Celtics (Basketball) – NBA Champions
- Bayer Leverkusen (Football) – Bundesliga Invincibles
- McLaren (Formula 1) – Constructors’ Championship contenders
- France Men’s Rugby Team – Olympic Champions
Double Nomination for India
Adding to the celebration, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has been nominated for the Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award. Her nomination recognizes her resilience during the Paris Olympics campaign, making this a landmark year for Indian representation at the global awards.
BCCI’s Recognition
Following the World Cup victory, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) awarded the squad a cash prize of INR 125 crore (revised from initial reports), acknowledging the magnitude of the achievement. The Laureus nomination adds a layer of global prestige to the financial and domestic accolades.
The winners will be announced at the Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony in Madrid on April 22, 2025.