Smriti Mandhana eclipses cricket giants to secure spot in TIME's 100 Most Influential list

India’s vice-captain becomes the only Indian athlete to feature in the prestigious 2026 global ranking, marking a historic milestone for women's cricket.

In a shifting landscape for Indian sport, the spotlight has turned away from the usual suspects. While global observers often look to the veteran trio of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, or even current captain Shubman Gill for representation, this year’s TIME 100 Most Influential People in Sports list has delivered a surprise. Smriti Mandhana, the 29-year-old vice-captain of the Indian women's team, is the sole Indian to feature among the world’s most impactful sporting figures, securing her place in the elite 'Titans' category.

The inclusion is more than a mere accolade; it is a recognition of how Mandhana has rewritten the commercial and sporting narrative of the game in India. TIME’s profile on the left-handed opener highlights a staggering resume: from being the first Indian woman to strike a double century in domestic one-day cricket to holding the record for the most international runs by an Indian woman across formats. Her leadership in the Women’s Premier League, where she captained Royal Challengers Bangalore to consecutive titles in 2024 and 2026, has been instrumental in driving record-breaking television viewership and changing the perception of the women's game.

A shift in the power dynamic

The absence of stalwarts like Rohit and Virat from this specific list—despite their enduring popularity—suggests a broader evolution in how "influence" is measured by global publications. The criteria for this year’s list focused heavily on individuals who are actively reshaping their respective industries through advocacy, investment, and record-shattering performances. By placing Mandhana alongside icons like LeBron James, Lionel Messi, and Novak Djokovic, the magazine has validated the massive growth of women’s cricket as a global product rather than just a regional niche.

Why it matters

This is a watershed moment for Indian sports. For years, the conversation surrounding "influence" in Indian cricket was dominated by a handful of established men’s icons. Mandhana’s presence on this list signals that the commercial and cultural gravity of the sport is recalibrating. Her role as a mentor and role model for young girls has translated into tangible grassroots impact, effectively bridging the gap between talent and marketability. While fans often turn to platforms like espn cricinfo for stats and historical data, this global recognition places Mandhana in a category where her impact is weighed by her ability to move the needle on a societal level.

Her timing could not have been more poetic. Coming off a lean patch during the England tour, Mandhana silenced critics with a fluent 68 off 44 balls during the high-stakes clash against Pakistan at the ongoing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup at Edgbaston. That performance, which helped set up a 64-run victory, served as a reminder that her influence is backed by the hard currency of on-field excellence. As she approaches her 30th birthday, Mandhana isn't just playing for the scoreboard; she is leading a generation of cricketers who are no longer content with being in the shadows of their male counterparts.