Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana (29) has been featured in Time magazine’s 2026 list of the 100 most influential people in sports. She is also noted as the only Indian to make the global list this year.
The Time 100 is an annual selection by the US-based magazine that recognises individuals who create significant impact across fields such as politics, arts, business, science, social service and sports. The latest sports-focused list highlights athletes shaping the modern sporting landscape.
Born in Mumbai and known as an opening batter, Mandhana has built a strong record in women’s cricket. She is credited as the first Indian woman to score a double century in a domestic one-day match, and is a joint holder in the list of players with the most international centuries in women’s cricket, with 17.
Mandhana also became the first woman to score more than 1,000 runs in women’s ODIs in a single year. She led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to Women’s Premier League titles in 2024 and 2026, and served as India’s vice-captain when the team won the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup last year, finishing the tournament as the second-highest run-scorer.
The 2026 list is led by basketball icon LeBron James and includes global stars such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, tennis player Carlos Alcaraz, golfer Rory McIlroy, skier Eileen, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson.
