India women's vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has been named in TIME magazine's 100 Most Influential People in Sports for 2026. The left-handed batter is the only Indian athlete on this year's list, highlighting her growing influence on the global stage and her contributions to women's cricket.
The annual TIME list honours athletes, coaches, investors, and advocates who have made a significant impact on the world of sports. The 2026 edition includes several global sporting icons, with LeBron James, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Carlos Alcaraz among the notable names.
Smriti Mandhana Achieves Historic Milestones in Cricket
TIME magazine highlighted several of Smriti Mandhana's achievements while recognizing her among the most influential figures in sports. The Mumbai-born batter recently became the first Indian woman to score a double century in a domestic one-day match.
Mandhana is also the first Indian cricketer to score centuries in all three international formats. She currently shares the record for the most centuries in women's international cricket, with 17 international hundreds to her name.
In 2024, Mandhana set the record for the most international runs scored by a woman in a calendar year. She then surpassed that mark in 2025, further underlining her consistency at the highest level. Her performances also earned her the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year 2025 award.
Smriti Mandhana Takes Pride in Team Success and Major Titles
TIME magazine noted that while Smriti Mandhana has achieved several individual milestones, she values team success the most. According to the publication, Mandhana takes greater pride in winning major trophies with her teammates than in her personal records.
"But Mandhana is proudest of the team honors she is also accumulating. She captained the Royal Challengers Bangalore to the 2024 and 2026 Women's Premier League titles and was vice captain for India's triumph at last year's ICC Women's World Cup, scoring the second-most runs in the tournament," TIME said.
Mandhana continues to play a key role for both the India women's team and Royal Challengers Bangalore. She is currently playing for the India Women's team during the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in England.
Smriti Mandhana Joins Global Sporting Icons on TIME's Prestigious List
Smriti Mandhana shares her place on TIME magazine's 100 Most Influential People in Sports list with several leading figures from across the sporting world. South Africa captain Temba Bavuma also earned a spot in the list after leading his team to a historic ICC World Test Championship (WTC) title in 2025.
The list also includes prominent names such as Jalen Brunson and Gianni Infantino. The recognition further strengthens Mandhana's status as one of the biggest names in women's cricket and a leading figure in Indian sport.
This latest honor places Mandhana among some of the most influential personalities in global sports. It also highlights her growing impact beyond cricket and reinforces her role as one of the leading ambassadors of the India women's cricket team on the international stage.
