CNN-News18 has unveiled the nominees for the Sports and Rising Sports Star categories of the 16th edition of its prestigious flagship awards platform, CNN-News18 Indian of the Year 2026 (www.indianoftheyear.com), celebrating athletes whose remarkable performances have left an indelible mark on the world of sport.
Regarded as India’s most credible news television awards, CNN-News18 Indian of the Year celebrates the exceptional achievements of Indians who are inspiring the world through their triumphs.
Among the standout nominees in the Sports category is Suryakumar Yadav, who led India to a second successive ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title in March 2026, defeating New Zealand by 96 runs in the final in Ahmedabad. Also nominated in the Sports category is R Vaishali, who produced one of Indian chess’s defining achievements in 2026 by becoming only the second Indian woman to earn a direct opportunity to compete for the Women’s World Championship title.
Next, Shooter Neeru Dhanda made history at the 2026 Asian Games, becoming the first Indian woman to win an individual Asian Games gold medal in trap shooting. The 26-year-old from Haryana shot 28 of 30 targets in the final to set a new Asian Games record, ending India’s 48-year wait for an individual trap gold.
Also nominated in the Sports category is Mirabai Chanu, who completed a full set of major international titles (Olympics, Commonwealth Games, World Championships, and Asian Games) in her decorated career by winning an Asian Games silver medal in the women’s 49kg category at the Aichi-Nagoya Games, also ending India’s 28-year wait for an Asian Games weightlifting medal.
Joining her in the Sports category is India’s Women’s 4×400 Relay Team, Vithya Ramraj, Kiran Pahal, M.R. Poovamma, and Prachi Choudhary, who won gold at the 2026 Asian Games, delivering India its first athletics gold of the 2026 Asian Games.
Further, the Rising Sports Star category recognises India’s most exciting emerging talent. Leading the nominees is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who at just 15 years of age rewrote several Indian cricket records in 2026, scoring 776 runs in 16 IPL matches at a strike rate of 237.3 to become the youngest player in IPL history to win the Orange Cap, and also becoming the youngest Indian men’s international cricketer.
Anahat Singh made history as the first Indian squash player to win the World Junior Squash Championship, ending a 13-year Egyptian winning streak, before adding an Asian Games silver medal in women’s singles. Next are Yastika Bhatia, who became the first woman to score a Test century at Lord’s on her return from injury; and Sakshi Chaudhary, who won gold in the women’s 51kg boxing category at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Public voting for CNN-News18 Indian of the Year 2026 is now open at https://www.news18features.com/indianoftheyear/. This year’s edition is presented by RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, with JK Tyre and Reliance Industries Limited as Associate Partners.