Our Bureau
Mumbai
Indian women’s cricket star Smriti Mandhana has achieved another milestone in her illustrious career by becoming the only Indian sportsperson to feature in TIME magazine’s inaugural list of the 100 Most Influential People in Sports for 2026. The prestigious global list recognises athletes, coaches, executives and changemakers who have significantly shaped the sporting landscape worldwide.
Mandhana finds herself alongside some of the biggest names in international sport, including Lionel Messi, Carlos Alcaraz, and Cristiano Ronaldo. The list, unveiled by TIME this month, highlights personalities whose influence extends beyond sporting achievements to cultural and social impact.
TIME praised Mandhana for helping transform women’s cricket into a mainstream attraction and for inspiring a new generation of female athletes in India and across the world. The left-handed opener has emerged as one of the most recognisable faces of women’s cricket through her performances for India and in franchise leagues.
The 29-year-old vice-captain of the Indian women’s team has enjoyed a remarkable rise since making her international debut in 2013. She has amassed more than 10,000 international runs and played a key role in India’s triumph at the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup. Mandhana also captains the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Women’s Premier League and has been widely credited with boosting the visibility of women’s cricket in India.
Her inclusion in the TIME100 Sports list underscores the growing global influence of Indian women’s cricket and reinforces Mandhana’s status as one of the sport’s most impactful figures.
