TOISA 2025: Meet the distinguished jury panel | More sports News – The Times of India

The eighth edition of The Times of India Sports Awards will take place in Lucknow on March 21, 2026, bringing together some of India’s biggest sporting icons to celebrate excellence across disciplines. The prestigious awards honour the outstanding achievements, perseverance and dedication of Indian athletes who made the nation proud during the 2025 sporting season.In this edition, the awards will recognise achievements across 49 categories — 36 sports and 13 para sports — with more than 190 nominations covering both individual and team performances. The winners will be selected by an illustrious jury comprising legendary athletes whose achievements have shaped Indian sport. Their experience, credibility and deep understanding of competition ensure that the honours truly reflect excellence on the global stage.Also read: TOISA set to celebrate India’s sporting heroes; Lucknow to host 8th edition

Here’s the jury for TOISA 2025:

Abhinav Bindra — ShootingIndia’s first individual Olympic gold medallist, Abhinav Bindra remains one of the country’s most celebrated athletes. He created history at the 2008 Beijing Olympics by winning gold in the 10m air rifle event. He earlier became the first Indian shooter to claim a world title at the 2006 ISSF World Shooting Championships. A multiple medallist at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, Bindra has been honoured with the Padma Bhushan, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, and Arjuna Award. PR Sreejesh — HockeyOne of the finest goalkeepers in modern hockey, PR Sreejesh played a key role in India’s resurgence on the global stage. He was instrumental in India winning Olympic bronze medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and 2024 Paris Olympics. A gold medallist at the Asian Games and silver medallist at the Commonwealth Games, Sreejesh has also been named FIH Goalkeeper of the Year three times. His achievements have been recognised with the Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, and Arjuna Award.Mithali Raj — CricketA trailblazer in women’s cricket, Mithali Raj is the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket with 10,868 runs. She amassed 7,805 runs in ODIs, the most by any woman, and led India to two ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup finals in 2005 and 2017. Mithali also became the first Indian to score 2,000 runs in T20Is and holds the record for the most ODI appearances. Her remarkable 20-year career earned her the Padma Shri, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award, and recognition as Wisden Leading Woman Cricketer in 2017.Devendra Jhajharia — Para AthleticsDevendra Jhajharia is among India’s greatest para-athletes and the only Indian to win two Paralympic gold medals in javelin throw, at the 2004 Athens Paralympics and 2016 Rio Paralympics. He also secured a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, completing a rare hat-trick of medals. Jhajharia broke the world record twice in the F46 category and became the first para-athlete to receive the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna. His honours also include the Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, and Arjuna Award.Sharath Kamal — Table TennisSharath Kamal is widely regarded as India’s greatest table tennis player. He became the first Indian to win a Commonwealth Games singles gold in 2006 and has since amassed a record 13 Commonwealth Games medals. A 10-time national champion, he has also won medals at the Asian Games and Asian Championships, and became the first Indian to win an ITTF Pro Tour title. Sharath represented India at five Olympic Games from Athens 2004 to Paris 2024 and served as Co-Chair of the ITTF Athletes’ Commission. His achievements earned him the Padma Shri, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, and Arjuna Award.Leander Paes — TennisLeander Paes is one of India’s most decorated tennis players, with 18 Grand Slam titles across men’s and mixed doubles. He won a historic bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, ending India’s 44-year wait for an individual Olympic medal. Paes also holds the record for the most doubles victories in Davis Cup history and was part of the legendary Indian Express pairing with Mahesh Bhupathi. Honoured with the Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, Arjuna Award, and Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, Paes remains a towering figure in Indian sport.