The Rise of Women’s Sports in India 2025: Profile of Emerging Stars & What’s Next

In the past few years, the landscape of women’s sports in India has undergone a remarkable transformation. By 2025, the country is witnessing a surge in participation, performance and visibility of female athletes across a range of disciplines. From cricket to athletics, from para-sports to badminton, women are no longer on the sidelines—they’re centre-stage. In this blog we’ll explore the broader context of this rise, spotlight key athletes who are carving their legacy, and look ahead to upcoming tournaments and what’s next for women’s sports in India.

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1. A Changing Landscape: Why 2025 Feels Like a Turning Point

Women’s sports in India are being redefined by three converging forces:

a) Performance breakthrough at major tournaments

One of the most significant milestones: the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, hosted in India, where the national women’s team achieved historic success. That success has acted as a catalyst for interest, investment, and recognition.

In athletics, the year also saw rising performances among women, especially in long jump and steeplechase. For example, one article noted the “season of high ceilings” for women’s long jump in India. indiasportshub.com

b) Increased hosting of major women’s / mixed events at home

India is not just participating but also hosting significant international competitions. For example, the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships took place in New Delhi (27 Sept – 5 Oct) with strong female participation. In tennis, India is hosting the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup Play‑Offs in Bengaluru for the first time. What this means: young women athletes get the home-advantage, media coverage and local heroism that previously was reserved largely for men.

c) Commercial & cultural momentum

There’s increasing alignment between women’s sports and broader cultural/brand narratives. For example, the Times of India noted a “brand revolution” where women cricketers are leading India’s next big endorsement wave. This not only raises earnings for athletes but sends a message: female sports stars are viewed as marketable, influential and aspirational.

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2. Profile of Key Athletes Leading the Charge

Below are three athletes (two established, one emerging) whose stories highlight the breadth of the rise in women’s sports in India.

Harmanpreet Kaur

Smriti Mandhana

Smriti Mandhana is the opening batter and vice-captain of the Indian women’s cricket team and is blazing a trail in 2025.
Highlights:

• In 2025 she returned to the top spot in ICC Women’s ODI rankings, after five years.
• During the 2025 World Cup she played a pivotal role in India’s campaign, including vital knocks in the semi-final and final.
• She combines elegant stroke-play with consistency, and her franchise career (in the WPL) further boosts her profile.
  Her emergence underscores that Indian women’s sport is not just about one or two star players—it’s about a cluster of athletes who are globally competitive.

Moumita Mondal

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3. Upcoming Tournaments & What to Watch in 2025-26

Here are some of the key events and developments that will shape women’s sports in India in the near term:

Major events on the calendar

• The Women’s Cricket World Cup (as mentioned) has just been hosted. Looking ahead, the domestic structure for women’s cricket is getting stronger: the 2025–26 Senior Women’s One Day Trophy will take place from 6 February to 28 February 2026 in India.
• The women’s badminton and athletics circuits also have major competitions: India is hosting the World Para Athletics Championships, offering visibility to women para-athletes.
• In tennis, the Billie Jean King Cup Play-Offs will be hosted in Bengaluru from 14–16 Nov 2025, giving Indian women tennis players an important home platform.
• There are also emerging leagues: for example, the Women’s Kabaddi League is gearing up for its 2025 season in India.
• At the grassroots level, state-level and regional women’s events (including school and college levels) are increasing in number and visibility. For example, federations like Bastar Olympics 2025 included massive female participation across tribal regions with tug-of-war, weightlifting and more.

What to watch for

• Will more women’s leagues (in sport like kabaddi, hockey, football) catch the commercial wave that cricket has begun to enjoy?
• Will athletes from non-traditional geographies (rural, tribal, Northeast) emerge into national-level presence in greater numbers? The story of Hillang Yajik from Arunachal in bodybuilding is a pointer.
• Will infrastructure, funding and governance keep pace? Performance is rising, but for sustained success, systemic support is essential.
• Will the media coverage and brand endorsement for women’s sports multiply? Early signs are positive (brands moving in), but sustained cultural change is needed.

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4. Key Challenges Still Ahead

While 2025 is a defining year, there are still obstacles on the path to equal footing:

• Resource allocation: Many women’s teams and athletes still face disparities in training facilities, pay, travel and exposure compared to men.
• Media & visibility: While top stars are getting coverage, many athletes in lesser-known sports (e.g., athletics, para-sports) still struggle for mainstream recognition.
• Domestic structure and transition: For every top performer there are many who struggle to move from grassroots to national-level competition due to limited pathways, especially in rural or under-privileged regions.
• Retention and professionalisation: Staying power requires consistent financial support, career pathways post-competition, and league-based opportunities.
• Cultural mindset: Even as women’s sports rise, societal stereotypes and lower familial support in some regions still limit female participation.

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5. What’s Next – A Roadmap for Growth

To accelerate the momentum of women’s sports in India, here are some strategic focus areas:

• Strengthen domestic leagues: Create more women’s leagues (regional and national) across sports — as seen in cricket, and now kabaddi and tennis. Leagues generate audience, brand interest and revenue.
• Expand grassroots reach: Focus on scouting and developing women athletes from remote, tribal and non-metropolitan areas. The example of Bastar Olympics is illustrative of untapped potential.
• Professional infrastructure: Facilities, coaching, sports science support tailored for women — ensure parity with men’s setups.
• Media & storytelling: Build compelling narratives around women athletes — as role-models. The more visible the stars, the more aspirants will emerge.
• Commercial partnerships: Brands engaging meaningfully with women’s sports helps sustainability. The “brand revolution” noted in women’s cricket is just the beginning.
• Diverse sports focus: Beyond cricket and badminton, sports like athletics, para-sports, table tennis, wrestling need equal push. The rise of Moumita Mondal and others suggests this is happening.
• Life-after-sport pathways: Encourage career tracking, education and roles (coaching, administration) so that female athletes have long-term engagement with sport.

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6. Final Thoughts

The year 2025 has already carved a landmark place in Indian women’s sports history. The country is not just participating — it’s competing, hosting, innovating, and rapidly redefining what’s possible for women athletes.

From the high-profile triumphs of Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana, to the rising talents like Moumita Mondal in athletics, the momentum is clear. Yet it is equally important to remember this is just the beginning. The real test will be sustaining this growth, building broader participation, and creating a sports ecosystem where every girl with talent sees a clear pathway to excellence.

For readers and sports fans, keeping an eye on upcoming tournaments—whether the WPL’s next edition, major athletics meets, the Women’s Kabaddi League or the Billie Jean King Cup in Bengaluru—offers a glimpse into the future of Indian women’s sport. If the signs in 2025 are any indication, that future is bright.