Despite facing numerous challenges, women in India continue to persevere and overcome obstacles every day. In a country where the birth of a girl child is viewed with sadness, achieving one's goals as a woman can often feel like swimming against the current. However, there are many strong and determined women who have proven that anything is possible with the right mindset and willpower. Sports have provided a platform for these women to showcase their talents and inspire others. As we celebrate International Women's Day 2024, we honour 10 Indian sportswomen who serve as shining examples of courage, determination, and inspiration for all of us to change the world.

10 Indian Sportswomen Who Will Inspire You to Change The World

#1 PT Usha: Athletics

The queen of Indian track and field, PT Usha has inspired generations of Indian women to take up the sport. Born in the village of Kuttali in Kerala, PT Usha studied in nearby Payyoli – which later gave rise to her nickname 'The Payyoli Express' – and her natural talent was discovered when she was nine.

She was the first Indian woman to qualify for the finals of a track and field game in the Olympics. If it was not for a false start, she could have the bronze in the 400-meter hurdles in the 1984 Olympic games. PT Usha finished her career with 23 medals in all, 14 of which were gold.

Read PT USha's full story here.

Also Read: Aprilia Manganang: A female player who turned out to be a man

#2 Bachendri Pal: Mountaineer

Bachendri Pal is one of the unknown Indian sportswomen who made the whole nation proud. She was the first Indian woman to climb the mount Everest in the year 1984. She is widely recognized for her pioneering role in planning, organising & leading pathbreaking expeditions for women.

Bachendri Pal now works as the Director of the Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF). She was awarded with the third highest civilian award Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in 2019. Her spirit to conquer anything impossible is an inspiring story to know.

Read her full story here.

#3 Jhulan Goswami- Cricket

Jhulan's outstanding performance in cricket has left a lasting impression in a country where male cricketers are more predominant. She is renowned for being one of the fastest bowlers ever seen in women's cricket, and she has broken several records. 

Her excellence was acknowledged when she was bestowed with the ICC Women's Player of the Year award in 2007, the Arjuna Award in 2010, and the Padma Shri Award in 2012. Jhulan is known for being the first female cricketer to take 200 ODI wickets, and she still holds the record for the highest wicket-taker in women's ODI cricket, with 255 ODI wickets.

View her full records at- https://www.bcci.tv/players/562/jhulan-goswami

#4 Sania Mirza: Tennis

Sania Mirza is a trailblazing Indian athlete who has inspired countless women to pursue tennis. Her unwavering motivation and off-court charisma have made her a role model for women throughout India. Despite facing significant societal backlash early in her career, Sania persisted and went on to become a six-time Grand Slam champion, world No. 1 in doubles, and three-time Olympian. Additionally, she holds the distinction of being the first Indian woman to win a WTA title. Sania's remarkable accomplishments have paved the way for unprecedented growth in Indian tennis.

Mirza came out of her retirement in 2020 and won the doubles title at the 2020 Hobart International and then led India to their first-ever Fed Cup playoffs. She finally called it a day after the Dubai Championships in February 2023.

Read her full story here.

#5 Hima Das: Track and Field

Nicknamed "Dhing Express", Hima Das is one of India's most inspiring track and field athletes. Coming from a family of farmers, Hima showed the world that nothing is impossible. At an early, she used to play football with the boys in her village. But, later found her path in sprinting. Hima is the first Indian sprinter to win a gold medal at an international track event. 

In her short career, she has made many national records. She has already won three Asian Games medals, two of them being Gold. Hima was awarded with Arjuna Award in 2018. She became India's fastest-ever female over the 400m distance when she clocked 50.79 seconds during her silver medal in the 2018 Asian Games.

#6 Saina Nehwal: Badminton

Saina was the first Indian female badminton player to win an Olympic medal. Her story to the glory is very inspiring. At her birth, Saina's grandmother was not very happy with the birth of a girl child. However, it was her father and her winning spirit that made her the first and still the only Indian female badminton player to rank no.1 in the world on 2 April 2015. She is also the first Indian to win gold medals in two Commonwealth Games in 2010 and 2018.

Along with that, Saina was the first Indian badminton player to have won an Olympic medal when she won the bronze medal in the 2012 London Olympics. She was also the first Indian to win a Super Series title.

Saina's life story was seen in a Hindi movie called "Saina" featuring Parineeti Chopra in and as Sania.

#7 Marry Kom: Boxing

Mary Kom, an exceptional athlete from an impoverished area of India, took up boxing after convincing a local coach to train her. She has achieved an incredible feat of winning medals at all eight AIBA World Boxing Championships, reaching the pinnacle of her career as the world No.1 in the AIBA world rankings for flyweight. Her bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympic Games marked India's first-ever Olympic medal in women's boxing.

Mary Kom has also been the first Indian woman to secure a gold medal at both the Asian and Commonwealth Games, as well as a five-time Asian champion. She is a true trailblazer, balancing her fighting career with motherhood and running a sports club in her hometown of Manipur. Her incredible achievements have led to her appointment as a member of the Indian Upper House of Parliament.

#8 Dutee Chand: Track and field

Dutee Chand is an inspiration for Indian athletics, having represented her country twice at the Olympics and holding the national record for the 100m event. She broke barriers by becoming the first openly gay athlete from India and the first Indian to win gold in a 100m event at a global meet.

Despite facing significant hardships in her life, including the hyperandrogenism controversy and coming out gay in a conservative society, Dutee has shown remarkable resilience and determination. Her achievements include winning two silver medals at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and a gold medal at the 2019 Summer Universiade in Napoli. She was only the fifth Indian to participate in the women's 100 meters at the Olympics when she qualified for the 2016 Rio Games.

"There is nothing to fear about being in love."

Dutee on being in a same-sex relationship and being open about it.

#9 Geeta Phogat- Wrestling

Geeta Phogat's incredible achievements have inspired countless female athletes in India to pursue their dreams and excel in the sport of wrestling. She made history at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to win gold, and continued to break barriers by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to qualify for the Olympics in 2012.

Geeta's remarkable journey has been immortalized in the Hindi movie "Dangal", serving as a testament to what can be achieved through hard work, dedication, and perseverance.

#10 Bala Devi- Football

Women's football in India might not be as popular as other sports, but that didn't stop Bala Devi from making a name for herself and Indian women's football on the global stage. Bala Devi's exceptional record of scoring 52 goals in just 64 international games is a testament to her determination and skill.

In 2020, she made history by becoming the first Indian female football player to sign a professional contract with an overseas football club, Rangers FC in Scotland. She even became the first Indian female footballer to score in a European professional football league. Bala's achievements serve as an inspiration for aspiring female football players in India and South Asia.

This was tough to list out only 10 inspiring Indian sportswomen from hundreds of them. However, we would love to hear from you about who is your favorite female athlete in India. Let us know in the comment box.

Happy International Women's Day to everyone.

Note: The article was written in 2021 and then got updated with time by the author with some current data, without changing any names of athletes on this list.

Scoring a century in any form of cricket is a moment of glory, but in the fast-paced format of T20s, it gets more exciting to watch. Numerous cricketers have consistently proved themselves in this format by delivering spectacular tons.

The list goes deep as we have such power-hitters from around the globe!

Join us as we explore the list of players with most centuries in WT20Is and celebrate their glorious innings.

1. Esha Oza (4 centuries) | UAE

The current captain of UAE, Esha Oza, holds the record for most centuries in WT20Is with 4 centuries in her T20 career so far. This Indian-born cricketer made her debut in T20Is in 2018 and reached this milestone extremely fast.

She is also the fastest player from UAE to reach 1000 runs in T20Is. Her fourth century in T20Is came against Qatar in the Asia Cup qualifier, where she led her team to a brilliant victory.

Read Also: Top 10 fastest centuries in Women's T20Is

Esha Oza stats in WT20Is

2. Chamari Athapaththu (3 centuries) | Sri Lanka

Chamari Athapaththu, the current captain of Sri Lanka national team, holds the 2nd position in this list with her 3 centuries in WT20Is. She is one of the finest cricketers from Sri Lanka and led them to win the 2024 Asia Cup.

Chamari scored her first hundred in T20Is in 2019 against Australia. She scored the other following centuries in 2024 against Scotland and Malaysia.

Read Also: England or Australia? Which team has won more Women's Ashes?

Chamari Athapaththu stats in WT20Is

3. Fatuma Kibasu (3 centuries) | Tanzania 

The former captain of Tanzania, Fatuma Kibasu, holds the 3rd position with her 3 centuries in WT20Is. She is the only Tanzanian woman to score a century at international level so far, and holds the highest individual score for her country in WT20Is.

Fatuma made her T20 debut in 2019 and played magnificently ever since!

Fatuma Kibasu stats in WT20Is

Read Also: Most WT20I runs in a calendar year

Other players with 2 centuries in WT20Is 

Here's a list of players who scored 2 centuries in WT20Is and comes in the list following the TOP 3.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India announced the Indian Women's Cricket team squad for the upcoming England tour starting June 28th, 2025.

The Women in Blue will play five T20Is and three ODIs against the England Women's Cricket team.

Harmanpreet Kaur was named the captain of the both squads. Meantime, Smriti Mandhana was named the vice captain of the team. 

Kranti Gaud and Sayali Satghare are a few of the new names in the squad who were not part of the Tri-Nation series-winning squad for India. Shafali Verma returned to the T20I squad after missing out for a few months due to being off form.

Read Also | Most centuries by Indian cricketers in WODIs: No one is catching Smriti Mandhana

Indian Women's Cricket team squad for the England tour

India’s T20I Squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (WK), Yastika Bhatia (WK), Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Shuchi Upadhyay, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare

India's ODI Squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (WK), Yastika Bhatia (WK), Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Shuchi Upadhyay, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare

India's tour to England full schedule 

Aryan Club (Women's) delivered a commanding performance to secure the C.A.B. Women's Club Cricket League (One-Day) Tournament 2024-2025 title, defeating Mohun Bagan A.C. (Women) by 47 runs in a thrilling final at the 22-Yards SP School Ground. 

Powered by a blazing knock from captain Tanusree Sarkar and a disciplined bowling effort, Aryan Club showcased their dominance in a match that had fans buzzing with excitement.

Read Also | Exclusive: Bowls like Malinga, once doubted by her family, Nadia's Sonali Das is set for Bengal Pro T20 League dreams after 8-wicket haul in School Cricket

Aryan Club’s Explosive Batting

Electing to bat first after winning the toss, Aryan Club got off to a steady start with opener Dyuti Paul (23 off 23) and Sujata Dey taking the score to 28 for the first wicket.

However, it was captain Tanusree Sarkar who stole the show with a scintillating 76 off 50 balls, smashing 10 fours and a six at a strike rate of 152. Her aggressive strokeplay set the tone for Aryan’s innings. 

Priyanka Bala’s unbeaten 45 provided the perfect foil, anchoring the latter half with composure, while Jhumia Khatun chipped in with a quickfire 18. Despite Diya Nandi’s 2/38 for Mohun Bagan, Aryan Club posted a formidable 171/4 in their 25 overs, setting a challenging target.

Read Also | Exclusive | Taunts to Claps: Priyanka Bala's journey from rural village of Nadia to WPL

Mohun Bagan’s Valiant Chase Falls Short

Chasing 172, Mohun Bagan A.C. (Women) got off to a rocky start, losing Sneha Gupta (3) in the second over to Susmita Ganguly. 

Captain Ankita Chakraborty led the fightback with a resolute 46, partnering with Diya Nandi (32) for a crucial 71-run stand. However, Aryan’s bowlers struck back with precision.

Read Also | Women's Cricket Exclusive: Age 14, 5 feet 8 inches tall, bowls left-arm wrist spin; Debjani Das is all set to be Bengal's next cricketing superstar

Sinjini Sarkar (2/28) removed both set batters in quick succession, triggering a collapse. Tanusree Sarkar (1/22) and Sritama Nandi (4/29) ran through the middle order, with Nandi’s sensational spell dismantling Mohun Bagan’s hopes. 

Dipa Das (29) and Puja Rajak (13) showed fight, but Jhumia Khatun’s late wickets, including a stumping, sealed Mohun Bagan’s fate at 128 all out in 25 overs.

With another century in the tri-nation series final against Sri Lanka, Smriti Mandhana now has extended her lead in the list of Indian players with the most centuries in Women's ODIs. The left-handed opener scored a staggering 116 from 101 balls to help India score 342 in the first inning in Colombo.

Here is a list of seven women batters with the most centuries by Indian cricketers in WODIs.

Also Read: Most T20I runs for Indian Women's team: Smriti Mandhana at top

Most centuries by Indian cricketers (WODI)

7. Jaya Sharma | 2 Centuries

Former Indian batter Jaya Sharma was only the second female Indian cricketer to have scored a century in ODI cricket. She smashed two centuries in WODI cricket in her career.

While her first century had come against Pakistan during Women's Asia Cup 2005 in Karachi, she scored another one in a winning effort against Australia in 2007 in Chennai making her the first Indian women to score an ODI century at home.

The left-handed batter could've achieved the milestone a few years before had she converted a couple of nervous 90s into hundreds.

6. Jemimah Rodrigues | 2 Centuries

Jemimah Rodrigues etched her name in the record books with a blistering century as India Women posted 337/9 in 50 overs against South Africa Women in the fifth match of the Women’s Tri-Series 2025 at Colombo.

Rodrigues delivered a sensational knock of 123 runs off just 101 balls, anchoring the middle overs and setting the tone for a massive total. Her innings featured 15 fours and one six, scored at a strike rate of 121.78.

With this century, Jemimah has now joined the elite list of most centuries by Indian cricketers in WODIs. This is also Rodrigues' highest score in Women's ODIs after her 102 against Ireland Women earlier this year.

5. Thirush Kamini | 2 Centuries

Former Indian and Tamil Nadu opener Thirush Kamini played for India at a time when women's cricket wasn't really picking up in the country. Regardless, she did well in her limited opportunities and notched a ton twice in her ODI career that spanned 39 matches and scored 825 runs at an average of 25.78.

Kamini's maiden ODI hundred came in India's win over the West Indies in the 2013 ODI World Cup. She stroked a 146-ball 100 to power India to a total of 284/6 in the first innings. India won that match comfortably and Thirush Kamini was rightfully awarded the POTM award.

4. Punam Raut | 3 Centuries

The diminutive Indian batter Punam Raut was one of the pillars in Indian batting along with Harmanpreet, Smriti, Mithali and Veda Krishnmurthy. Punam has recorded three centuries in women's ODI cricket.

Punam smashed one WODI century at a home venue and two WODI centuries at neutral venues. Her highest score in this format is 109 not out against Ireland Women at Potchefstroom during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2017.

3. Harmanpreet Kaur | 6 Centuries

Indian Women's Cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur is one of the finest batters in Indian women’s cricket history. The right-handed batter has scored six WODI centuries in her career. 

Apart from three home WODI centuries, Harmanpreet also recorded two WODI hundreds at neutral venues and one more at an away venue. Her highest WODI score is 171 not out against Australia Women during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2017 semi-final.

2. Mithali Raj | 7 Centuries

Former Indian cricketer and captain Mithali Raj (7805 runs) is still the only player to score 6000 and 7000 WODI runs. The leading WODI run-scorer was the previous record holder for most centuries by Indian cricketers in WODIs.

She recorded seven WODI hundreds in her career.

While Mithali scored three WODI centuries at home, the right-handed batter recorded three WODI centuries at neutral venues and one at an away venue. Her highest WODI knock was 125 not out against Sri Lanka Women at Katunayake in 2018.

Also Read: Top 10 fastest centuries in Women's T20Is

1. Smriti Mandhana | 11 Centuries

Indian opening batter Smriti Mandhana is one of the best batters in the modern generation. The left-hander holds the record for most centuries by Indian cricketers in WODIs.

She achieved the record solely in January 2025 after scoring a 70-ball century against Ireland in the final ODI of a three-match series in Rajkot. It was her tenth WODI hundred. 

Mandhana has scored four WODI centuries at home, five WODI centuries in away venues, and two WODI hundreds at neutral venues. By scoring three out of four WODI home centuries in 2024, she also became the first Indian player to record three WODI hundreds in a calendar year.

Her record WODI score is 136 against South Africa Women in the 2024 Bengaluru WODI. 

In a display of strategic brilliance, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) women's cricket team executed a rare tactical move to secure a resounding 163-run victory against Qatar in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025.

The match, played under looming rain clouds, saw UAE retire their entire batting line-up after amassing 192 runs in just 16 overs, a decision that paved the way for a dominant performance with the ball.

They were 192/0 after 16 overs, but after forecasting the rain, Ahmed Raza, the head coach of the UAE Women's Cricket team, sent the whole batting lineup one after another to make them retire out.

Read Also | Most T20I runs for Indian Women's team: Smriti Mandhana at top

Explosive Batting Sets the Stage

Batting first, UAE showcased firepower at the top, led by captain Esha Oza's scintillating 113 off 55 balls, which included 19 boundaries and five towering sixes.

She was ably supported by Theertha Satish, who scored 74 off 42 balls with 11 fours.

The opening pair's aggressive batting took UAE to a formidable total, setting the stage for an audacious tactical gambit.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Annesha Ghosh (@annesha555)

A Bold Decision Under Overcast Skies

With rain threatening to disrupt proceedings, UAE's management and coach, Ahmed Raza, made a bold call at the 16-over mark.

Confident in their substantial score, they opted to retire out their entire batting line-up—a move akin to declaring in a first-class match but unprecedented in the T20I format. For your information, declaring the inning in T20Is is not allowed.

This allowed the UAE to immediately shift focus to their bowling attack, saving crucial time in a weather-affected contest.

Qatar Crumbled Under UAE's Bowling Might

The decision paid dividends as UAE's bowlers ran riot, skittling Qatar for a mere 29 runs in under 12 overs.

The clinical bowling performance sealed a mammoth win, significantly boosting UAE's net run rate and strengthening their position in the tournament.

Read Also | Most centuries by Indian cricketers in WODIs: Jemimah scores her second WODI ton

A Step Closer to the Super Three

This victory marks UAE's second consecutive win in the Asia Qualifier, positioning them favorably to advance to the Super Three stage. The top three teams from the group stage will progress to this phase, with the top two earning a coveted spot in the Global Qualifier in early 2026.