[International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. This International Women's Day, we are celebrating and rejoicing in the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women all over the world. Here is a look at the 10 greatest Indian sportswomen of all time. Read 10 inspiring Indian sportswomen who triumphed against all odds.]

Jhulan Goswami

Jhulan Nishit Goswami is an Indian former cricketer. She played for the Indian women's cricket team from 2002 to 2022. She won the Arjuna Award in 2010 and the Padma Shri award in 2012. She played as a right-arm medium-fast bowler and right-handed batter. Goswami won the ICC Women's Player of the Year award in 2007 and the M.A. Chidambaram trophy for Best Women's Cricketer in 2011.  

Karnam Malleswari

Karnam Malleswari is a retired Indian weightlifter. She is the first Indian woman to win a medal at the Olympics in 2000. In 1994, she received the Arjuna Award and in 1999, she received the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, India's highest sporting honor, and the civilian Padma Shri award. She received the Majord Dhan Chand Khel Ratna award in 1999. 

P.T. Usha

Pilavullakandi Thekkeraparambil Usha is a retired Indian track and field athlete. The Padma Shri awardee won four Asian gold medals and seven silver medals. She is the first nominated MP in history to become the Vice Chairperson of Rajyasabha. P.T. Usha is a legendary name in Indian sports.

Mary Kom

Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom is an Indian amateur boxer, politician, and former Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha. She is the only boxer (male or female) to win eight World Championship medals (six golds, one silver, and one bronze). She won the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award in 2009.

Saina Nehwal

Saina Nehwal is an Indian professional badminton player. The former World No.1 player in singles won a bronze at the 2012 London Olympics for India, becoming the first-ever Indian to win an Olympic medal in badminton. She received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award in 2010. In 2016, she was conferred the Padma Bhusan – India's third-highest civilian award.

Sania Mirza

Sania Mirza is an Indian former professional tennis player. She won six Grand Slam titles in her career, three in Women’s Doubles and three in Mixed Doubles respectively. She is one of only two Indian women to win a WTA Tour title, and the only one to be ranked within the top 100 in singles. She win the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award in 2015, she also won the Padma Bhushan award (India’s third-highest civilian award) in 2016.

P.V. Sindhu

Pusarla Venkata Sindhu  is an Indian badminton player. Considered one of India's most successful sportspersons. She is the first Indian woman to win two medals at the Olympics and has five medals in World Championships. In terms of national awards, Sindhu won the Arjuna Award in 2013, the Padma Shri in 2015, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna in 2016, and the Padma Bhushan in 2020. 

Vinesh Phogat

Vinesh Phogat became the first Indian woman wrestler to win gold in both Commonwealth and Asian Games. She comes from a famous family of wrestlers. She is the only Indian woman wrestler to win multiple medals at the World Wrestling Championships. Phogat became the first Indian athlete to be nominated for Laureus World Sports Awards in 2019. Vinesh Phogat is the winner of the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award. 

Mithali Raj

Mithali Raj is an Indian cricketer and a former captain of the India women's national cricket team from 2004 to 2022. She is a Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna winner. She is also the recipient of national awards like the Arjuna Award in 2003 and the Padma Shri in 2015 respectively.  Mithali is the highest run-scorer in women's international cricket and is considered one of the greatest female cricketers of all time.

Mirabai Chanu

Saikhom Mirabai Chanu is an Indian weightlifter. She won a silver medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and has gold medals in World Championships and Commonwealth Games. She was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India for her contributions to the sport. She was awarded the sporting honor Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna by the Government of India in 2018.