The Indian Women’s cricket team was honoured with the Sports Performance of the Year award at the NDTV Indian of the Year Awards, a proud moment that capped off a historic year for women’s cricket in the country. The award ceremony was held in New Delhi, celebrating India’s landmark achievements across sport and society.

Representing the team on stage were captain Harmanpreet Kaur, Player of the Tournament Deepti Sharma, semifinal hero Jemimah Rodrigues, and head coach Amol Muzumdar, all of whom played key roles in India’s remarkable campaign. Their presence symbolised the collective effort behind a triumph that will be remembered as a turning point in Indian women’s cricket.

Historic World Cup triumph earns Indian women national recognition

India earned the recognition after clinching their maiden Women’s World Cup title in any format, a long-awaited breakthrough that ended years of near misses on the global stage. The team sealed history with a composed and confident victory over South Africa in the final, showcasing resilience, tactical discipline, and belief under pressure.

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BIGGEST MOMENT OF INDIAN SPORTS IN 2025 🇮🇳

Women's team winning the World Cup and now they won the NDTV Sports performance of the year. 🥇

It's great to see everyone celebrating Indian Women's Cricket. pic.twitter.com/bDIEqYHfhp

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 19, 2025

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Throughout the tournament, India delivered consistent performances across departments. Deepti Sharma emerged as one of the standout performers, contributing crucial runs and wickets to earn the Player of the Tournament honour. Jemimah Rodrigues played a defining role in the semifinal, producing a match-winning innings when it mattered most. Under Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership, the side displayed maturity and fearlessness, while coach Amol Muzumdar’s guidance helped shape a balanced and mentally strong unit.

The NDTV award recognises more than just a trophy, it acknowledges a historic sporting achievement that has elevated the profile of women’s cricket in India. This World Cup victory has inspired millions of young girls to dream big and reinforced India’s growing strength in the women’s game.

As the team continues to build on this success, the award stands as a reminder of how perseverance, teamwork, and belief can turn long-standing dreams into reality.

The final match of WBBL 2025 is going to be played between Hobart Hurricanes Women (HH-W) vs. Perth Scorchers Women (PS-W). The game is going to take place at Bellerive Oval, Hobart, on Saturday, the 13th of December 2025. This is going to be a really exciting match, with both teams playing in top form. The two teams have faced each other once this season, with the HH-W winning.

The Hobart Hurricanes Women, led by Elyse Villani, have been outstanding throughout the tournament. They were the first team to qualify for the knockouts, winning seven out of ten matches in the league stage. Finishing at the top of the points table, the Hurricanes booked a direct place in the final and will be confident of lifting the title.

The Perth Scorchers Women, captained by Sophie Devine, finished third in the league stage with six wins from ten matches. The Scorchers showed great fighting spirit in the knockouts, defeating Melbourne Stars in the Knockout and Sydney Sixers in the Challenger to earn their spot in the final. They will now look to finish the season on a high.

HH-W vs PS-W: Head-to-Head Record

• Matches Played: 21
  
• Hobart Hurricanes Women Won: 8
  
• Perth Scorchers Women Won: 11
  
• No Result / Tied: 2

HH-W vs PS-W: Pitch Report

The pitch at the Bellerive Oval is usually challenging early on, especially for batters. Fast bowlers tend to get help with the new ball, making the powerplay important. As play continues, batting becomes easier because of the true bounce, and once batters get set, they are able to score readily. It is essential that teams take the initial overs cautiously.

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HH-W vs PS-W: Predicted Playing XIs

Hobart Hurricanes Women (HH-W):

Lizelle Lee (wk), Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Nicola Carey, Elyse Villani (c), Heather Graham, Rachel Trenaman, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Molly Strano, Lauren Smith, Linsey Smith

Perth Scorchers Women (PS-W):

Beth Mooney (wk), Katie Mack, Maddy Darke, Sophie Devine (c), Freya Kemp, Paige Scholfield, Chloe Ainsworth, Alana King, Lilly Mills, Ruby Strange, Amy Edgar

The Sydney Sixers Women (SS-W) will face the Perth Scorchers Women (PS-W) in the Challenger of WBBL 2025 at the North Sydney Oval on Thursday, December 11. The winner of this match will qualify for the Final.

The Sixers finished second on the points table with six wins and three losses from ten matches. They have been one of the most consistent sides this season and will be aiming to take one more step toward the trophy.

The Perth Scorchers ended the league stage in third place with six wins and four losses. They are entering this knockout match with confidence after their strong 28-run win over the Melbourne Stars in the previous round.

SS-W vs PS-W: Head-to-Head Records

• Matches Played: 23
  
• Sydney Sixers Won: 10
  
• Perth Scorchers Won: 12
• Tied: 1

SS-W vs PS-W: Pitch Report

The pitch at North Sydney Oval is generally excellent for batting, making it a high-scoring venue. The small boundaries help batters seek quick runs. Still, bowlers, particularly seamers, may get some early movement, and as the game progresses, it does tend to turn and sometimes grip for the spinners. Teams must therefore balance aggression with smart shot-making.

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SS-W vs PS-W: Predicted Playing XIs

Sydney Sixers Women (SS-W):

Ellyse Perry, Sophia Dunkley, Alyssa Healy (wk), Ashleigh Gardner (c), Amelia Kerr, Maitlan Brown, Mady Villiers, Erin Burns, Emma Manix-Geeves, Caoimhe Bray, Lauren Cheatle

Perth Scorchers Women (PS-W):

Beth Mooney (wk), Katie Mack, Maddy Darke, Sophie Devine (c), Freya Kemp, Paige Scholfield, Chloe Ainsworth, Alana King, Lilly Mills, Ruby Strange, Amy Edgar

The Perth Scorchers Women take on the Melbourne Stars Women in an exciting Knockout match of the WBBL 2025 at the WACA Ground, Perth, on Tuesday, December 9. Perth finished third, whereas Melbourne finished fourth in the points table. Whoever wins this match will find themselves against Sydney Sixers Women in the Challenger.

The Perth Scorchers showed improvement in the second half of the season after an up-and-down start to the season. The likes of Beth Mooney, Sophie Devine, and Chloe Ainsworth have been among the standout performers this season and will hold the key once again in this must-win game.

The Melbourne Stars started the season with a washed-out game and then went on to win four in a row but lost their last three games. However, Meg Lanning with the bat and Sophie Day with the ball have been excellent through the league stage.

PS-W vs MS-W: Head-to-Head Record

• Matches Played: 22
  
• Perth Scorchers Women Won: 12
  
• Melbourne Stars Women Won: 10
  
• Tied: 0
  
• No Result: 0

PS-W vs MS-W: Pitch Report

The WACA Ground has hosted 37 WBBL matches so far, and teams batting second have enjoyed more success. Only 15 matches have been won by teams batting first. Captains winning the toss usually prefer to bowl first here. Fast bowlers will enjoy the bounce and pace the WACA is famous for. A score of around 170 in the first innings can still be challenging to chase.

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PS-W vs MS-W: Predicted Playing XIs

Perth Scorchers Women (PS-W):

Beth Mooney (wk), Katie Mack, Maddy Darke, Sophie Devine (c), Paige Scholfield, Freya Kemp, Alana King, Chloe Ainsworth, Lilly Mills, Ruby Strange, Amy Edgar

Melbourne Stars Women (MS-W):

Meg Lanning, Rhys McKenna, Amy Jones (wk), Annabel Sutherland (c), Maia Bouchier, Danielle Gibson, Kim Garth, Sasha Moloney, Georgia Prestwidge, Maisy Gibson, Sophie Day

The Sydney Sixers Women (SS-W) will take on the Adelaide Strikers Women (AS-W) in Match 40, the final group-stage match of the WBBL 2025, at the North Sydney Oval.

The Sixers are currently in third place with five wins from nine games. A win in this match is very important for them, as it could push them into the top two and give them a stronger position in the playoffs. They would like to finish the group stage with confidence and carry that momentum forward.

Meanwhile, the Strikers lie sixth with three wins from nine matches and a very slim chance of making it to the next round. Qualifying may be highly unlikely, but they will be keen to end their season on a high note by upsetting the Sixers. A win could also help them jump into the top four, depending on other results. 

SS-W vs AS-W: Head-to-Head Record

• Matches Played: 21
  
• Sydney Sixers Women Won: 12
  
• Adelaide Strikers Women Won: 9
  
• Tied / No Result: 0
  

SS-W vs AS-W: Pitch Report 

The pitch at the North Sydney Oval often assists the bowlers, especially when a team bowls first. Both the fast bowlers and the spinners can find movement and take early wickets. However, batters who stay long enough at the crease can get free later on with the easing of the surface to bat on. Building a steady partnership will be the key.

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SS-W vs AS-W: Predicted Playing XIs

Sydney Sixers Women (SS-W):

Ellyse Perry, Sophia Dunkley, Alyssa Healy (wk), Ashleigh Gardner (c), Maitlan Brown, Amelia Kerr, Mady Villiers, Erin Burns, Emma Manix-Geeves, Caoimhe Bray, Lauren Cheatle

Adelaide Strikers Women (AS-W):

Tammy Beaumont, Madeline Penna, Tahlia McGrath (c), Bridget Patterson (wk), Tabatha Saville, Ellie Johnston, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Sophie Ecclestone, Jemma Barsby, Eleanor Larosa, Darcie Brown

Match No. 38 of the  WBBL 2025 will see Melbourne Stars Women (MS-W) take on the Sydney Thunder Women (ST-W) on Saturday, December 6, at the Junction Oval in Melbourne.

The Melbourne Stars Women have had an excellent season so far, with five wins from nine games. They are second in the points table at the moment. The Stars, though, have lost their last couple of games on the trot and will be desperate to break that sequence. Playing at home, with their fans supporting them, will provide extra impetus in trying to get back to winning ways.

On the other hand, Sydney Thunder Women find themselves in a do-or-die situation. Already, their hopes of qualifying hang by a thread, so a loss in this game would only end their year's hope. The Phoebe Litchfield-led side will draw confidence from its thrilling win over Brisbane Heat in its last game and will hope to put up a similar show of strength once again. A victory, therefore, is one that the team needs to keep it alive in the competition.

MS-W vs ST-W: Head-to-Head Record

• Matches Played: 21
  
• Melbourne Stars Women Won: 5
  
• Sydney Thunder Women Won: 12
  
• Tied / No Result: 4

MS-W vs ST-W: Pitch Report

The Junction Oval has hosted 19 WBBL matches so far, and teams batting second have won 11 times. The average first-innings score is around 142, which shows that the pitch becomes easier for batting as the game progresses. Because of this, captains generally prefer to bowl first. However, conditions like early moisture or surface hardness may also influence the decision. Overall, batters who settle in can score well later in the innings.

See Also: WBBL 2025 Match 39: PS-W vs BH-W head-to-head, pitch report & predicted playing XIs

MS-W vs ST-W: Predicted Playing XIs

Melbourne Stars Women (MS-W):

Meg Lanning, Rhys McKenna, Amy Jones (WK), Annabel Sutherland (C), Maia Bouchier, Kim Garth, Danielle Gibson, Sasha Moloney, Georgia Prestwidge, Maisy Gibson, Sophie Day.

Sydney Thunder Women (ST-W):

Georgia Voll, Tahlia Wilson, Phoebe Litchfield (C), Heather Knight, Anika Learoyd, Lucy Finn, Laura Harris, Emily Arlott, Taneale Peschel, Shabnim Ismail, Samantha Bates.

Match No. 39 of the WBBL 2025 will see Perth Scorchers Women (PS-W) face Brisbane Heat Women (BH-W) on Saturday, December 6, at the W.A.C.A. Ground in Perth. This is the second match of the Saturday double-header.

The Perth Scorchers Women have had an up-and-down season so far. With five wins and four losses from their nine matches, they sit right on the edge of the playoff spots. They cannot afford to slip now. In their previous game, the Scorchers defeated the Melbourne Renegades Women by 30 runs, keeping themselves alive in the playoff race. They will need another strong performance to stay in control of their qualification chances.

Brisbane Heat Women, meanwhile, are still searching for their first win of the season. The team has struggled heavily, especially with key batter Jemimah Rodrigues unavailable. Although Brisbane are already out of the playoff race, they will aim to end their season on a positive note. They can still spoil the Scorchers’ chances and impact the final league standings.

PS-W vs BH-W: Head-to-Head Record

• Matches Played: 23
  
• Perth Scorchers Women Won: 9
  
• Brisbane Heat Women Won: 13
  
• Tied / No Result: 1
  

PS-W vs BH-W: Pitch Report

The W.A.C.A. Ground is famous for its pace and bounce, making it a great venue for fast bowlers. Historically, chasing teams have done better, winning 21 out of 36 matches, compared to just 15 wins for batting first. The average first-innings score is around 140, but defending that total is difficult here. On winning the toss, a team will probably bowl first, getting to know the surface better and chasing with confidence.

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PS-W vs BH-W: Predicted Playing XIs

Perth Scorchers Women (PS-W):

Katie Mack, Beth Mooney (WK), Maddy Darke, Sophie Devine (C), Freya Kemp, Paige Scholfield, Alana King, Chloe Ainsworth, Ruby Strange, Lilly Mills, Amy Edgar.

Brisbane Heat Women (BH-W):

Charli Knott (C), Lucinda Bourke, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Georgia Redmayne, Sianna Ginger, Chinelle Henry, Annie O'Neil, Mikayla Wrigley, Lucy Hamilton, Sarah Glenn, Lily Bassingthwaighte.

The WBBL 2025 has reached its final stretch with Match No. 36, which will see Melbourne Renegades Women (MR-W) against Sydney Sixers Women (SS-W) on Friday, December 5, at Junction Oval in Melbourne. The playoffs are looming, and both sides will be keen to finish well.

The defending champions, Melbourne Renegades, are currently fifth on the points table. They need a win to have any chance of breaking into the top four. However, their form has dipped badly, as they have lost their last three matches. Sophie Molineux and her side will be desperate to end the league stage on a high.

The Sydney Sixers Women are in much better shape this season. They have played eight matches, winning five, losing two, and one ending as a no-result.The Sixers go into this clash on the back of strong momentum, having won their last two games in a row. They're third on the table and will aim to tighten their grip on a playoff spot.

MR-W vs SS-W: Head-to-Head Record

• Matches Played: 19
• Melbourne Renegades Women Won: 6
• Sydney Sixers Women Won: 13

MR-W vs SS-W: Pitch Report

So far, seven matches have taken place at the Junction Oval this season. The average first innings score is around 150, with chasing being successful in most of those games. It once again signifies that teams would like to bowl first at this venue, as keeping the opposition under 160 gives them a good chance to win. Bowlers who use their variations well and can bowl tight lines are effective, while batters need to pace up their innings smartly.

See Also: WBBL 2025 Match 37: AS-W vs HH-W head-to-head, pitch report & predicted playing XIs

MR-W vs SS-W: Predicted Playing XIs

Melbourne Renegades Women (MR-W):

Deandra Dottin, Courtney Webb, Sophie Molineux (C), Alice Capsey, Georgia Wareham, Nicole Faltum (WK), Tess Flintoff, Naomi Stalenberg, Sarah Coyte, Issy Wong, Milly Illingworth

Sydney Sixers Women (SS-W):

Ellyse Perry, Sophia Dunkley, Alyssa Healy (WK), Ashleigh Gardne (C), Maitlan Brown, Amelia Kerr, Mady Villiers, Erin Burns, Emma Manix-Geeves, Caoimhe Bray, Lauren Cheatle.

The Women's Big Bash League is going on with WBBL 2025, Match No. 37, where Adelaide Strikers Women (AS-W) will face Hobart Hurricanes Women (HH-W) on Friday, December 5, at the Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide. Both teams are in different positions on the table, but the Strikers still have a chance to qualify if they finish strong.

The Adelaide Strikers, led by Tahlia McGrath, are currently sixth on the points table. They have played eight matches, out of which they won three and lost three; two games were washed out. The Strikers will be keen to grab more wins to stay alive in the playoff race.

The Hobart Hurricanes Women, on the other hand, have had a great season so far. They are comfortably sitting atop with seven wins from nine matches. The Hurricanes come into this match full of momentum on the back of convincing wins against the Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Stars and will want to keep the momentum going.

AS-W vs HH-W: Head-to-Head Record in T20s

• Matches Played: 20
  
• Adelaide Strikers Women Won: 13
  
• Hobart Hurricanes Women Won: 5
  
• No Result: 2
• Tied: –0
  

AS-W vs HH-W: Pitch Report

The pitch at Karen Rolton Oval has been quite balanced throughout the season. Both batters and bowlers get fair support from the surface. The powerplay overs will be important for both teams, especially when batting, as early boundaries or wickets can change the game. A total around 170–180 could be a match-winning score on this ground.

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AS-W vs HH-W: Predicted Playing XIs

Adelaide Strikers Women (AS-W):

Laura Wolvaardt, Tammy Beaumont, Madeline Penna, Tahlia McGrath (C), Bridget Patterson (WK), Ellie Johnston, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Sophie Ecclestone, Jemma Barsby, Eleanor Larosa, Darcie Brown.

Hobart Hurricanes Women (HH-W):

Lizelle Lee (WK), Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Elyse Villani, Nicola Carey, Heather Graham, Rachel Trenaman, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Molly Strano, Lauren Smith, Linsey Smith.

On Monday, Punjab National Bank (PNB) made a history-making announcement by partnering with India’s World Cup-winning women’s cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who has been appointed as the bank’s first female brand ambassador. The remarkable event was marked by the celebration at PNB’s corporate office under the theme "Banking On Champions," which indicated the bank's desire to promote excellence and empower achievers all over the country

M. Nagaraju, Secretary (Financial Services), graced the ceremony where he was the Chief Guest. PNB Managing Director and CEO Ashok Chandra, Executive Directors M. Paramasivam, Bibhu Prasad Mahapatra, D. Surendran, Chief Vigilance Officer Raghavendra Kumar, and many other senior bank officials also attended the event.

Star Cricketer Receives Tribute at Launch Event

At the event, Harmanpreet Kaur received a framed jersey of PNB, which had her name and number on it, as well as a specially made bat with the PNB logo on it. She also took part in the introduction of four main financial products: the PNB RuPay Metal Credit Card Luxura, the revamped PNB One 2.0 app, the Digi Surya Ghar solar financing project, and PNB’s official onboarding on the IIBX Portal for online trading of gold bullion.

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At the celebration, Secretary M. Nagaraju lauded Kaur’s input to Indian cricket by saying, “Harmanpreet Kaur has made India proud by being the captain of the women’s cricket team that won the first-ever World Cup and by being a role model for millions of young athletes. PNB has also been doing a lot of good work, especially through its MSME initiatives. This new metal card is a very nice addition to the market.” He also mentioned his happiness over the bank’s joining the IIBX platform.

Harmanpreet was thankful and proud at the same time, and she said, “It is really a great feeling. The very first bank account I opened when I was 18 years old was at the PNB branch in Moga, and today I am standing here as PNB’s brand ambassador. The bank has always been there for the people of India to help them realize their dreams. It is a privilege to be the one who motivates more winners around the country, and I am the very first customer of the PNB Metal Credit Card Luxura, which makes me really happy.”

PNB MD & CEO Ashok Chandra commented, “It is our great pleasure to have Harmanpreet Kaur join PNB Parivaar. Her ability to lead, her strong character, and her performance all fit with our values. Luxura’s launch is a new standard in premium banking.”