Overview
Smriti Mandhana is the only Indian named in TIME100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026. She joins global icons like Messi, Ronaldo and LeBron James. Her record-breaking achievements include 17 international hundreds and being India's highest T20I run-scorer. She also led RCB to two WPL titles and was vice-captain of India's World Cup-winning team.
A Historic Recognition
Smriti Mandhana has achieved another milestone in her illustrious career. The Indian women's cricket vice-captain has been named in the TIME100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026 list. This is a huge honour. She is the only Indian to feature in this prestigious global ranking. The TIME100 list recognises athletes, coaches, executives, investors, and advocates who are shaping the future of sports worldwide. In the 2026 edition, Mandhana stands alongside legends like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, LeBron James, Carlos Alcaraz, and Temba Bavuma. Her inclusion shows the growing recognition of women's cricket on the world stage.
Why Was Smriti Mandhana Selected?
TIME magazine highlighted several remarkable achievements that have defined Mandhana's career. She has consistently broken records and set new benchmarks in women's cricket. Here are some of the key reasons for her selection:
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First Indian woman to score a double century in a domestic one-day match.
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First Indian woman cricketer to register centuries in all three international formats – Test, ODI, and T20I.
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Holds the joint record for the most centuries in women's international cricket with 17 international hundreds.
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Became the first woman cricketer to score more than 1,000 ODI runs in a single calendar year.
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Set the record for the highest number of international runs scored by a woman across all formats in a single year (2024), and then surpassed her own record in 2025.
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Became India's highest run-scorer in T20 Internationals across both men's and women's cricket in 2026.
These achievements showcase her extraordinary consistency at the highest level.
Record-Breaking Achievements
Smriti Mandhana's numbers speak for themselves. She has been scoring runs for fun. Her ability to perform in all formats makes her one of the most complete batters in the world. She has scored centuries in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is – a feat very few have achieved. Her 17 international hundreds put her at the top alongside the best in the world. Her record of scoring more than 1,000 ODI runs in a calendar year shows her incredible consistency. And when she became India's highest T20I run-scorer, she surpassed both men and women. That is a truly special achievement.
Leadership Success in International and Franchise Cricket
Smriti Mandhana is not just a great batter. She is also a successful leader. She captained the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Women's Premier League (WPL). Under her captaincy, RCB won two WPL titles – in 2024 and 2026 . This shows her ability to lead from the front and inspire her teammates.
She also served as the vice-captain of the Indian team that won the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup in 2025 in Mumbai. In that tournament, she was India's highest run-scorer with 434 runs . Her performance on the biggest stage was crucial to India's success. She has proven that she performs when it matters most.
Global Sports Icons Featured in TIME100 Sports 2026
The TIME100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026 list features some of the biggest names in global sports:
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LeBron James (Basketball)
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Lionel Messi (Football)
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Cristiano Ronaldo (Football)
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Carlos Alcaraz (Tennis)
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Eileen Gu (Freestyle Skiing)
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Temba Bavuma (Cricket)
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Smriti Mandhana (Cricket)
Mandhana is the only cricketer from India on the list. She shares this honour with South African captain Temba Bavuma, who also represents cricket on the global stage.
A Human Touch: The Journey of a Champion
Smriti Mandhana's journey is inspiring. She started playing cricket at a young age in Pune. Her father was her first coach. She faced many challenges, but she never gave up. Her hard work and dedication have paid off. Today, she is one of the most recognised faces in world cricket. When she received the news of her TIME100 inclusion, she said, "It is a great honour to be recognised alongside so many legends. This is not just for me. It is for every young girl in India who dreams of playing cricket. I hope this inspires them to follow their dreams." Her words show her humility and her desire to inspire the next generation.
Awards and Recognitions
Smriti Mandhana has received many awards over the years. She was awarded the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year Award in 2025 . She has also been named in the ICC Women's ODI Team of the Year multiple times. Her consistent performances have earned her a place among the all-time greats of women's cricket. The TIME100 recognition is the latest addition to her long list of achievements.
What This Means for Indian Sports
Smriti Mandhana's inclusion in the TIME100 list is a proud moment for Indian sports. It shows that Indian athletes are being recognised on the global stage. It also highlights the growing popularity of women's cricket in India. More young girls are now taking up cricket. They see role models like Smriti Mandhana and believe they can achieve greatness too. This recognition will only encourage more investment and support for women's sports in India.
Conclusion
Smriti Mandhana's inclusion in the TIME100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026 is a well-deserved honour. She has broken records, led her team to victory, and inspired millions. She is the only Indian on the list, and she stands tall among the greatest athletes in the world. Her journey from a young girl in Pune to a global icon is a story of hard work, determination, and excellence. She is a true champion and a role model for all.
Exam-Focused Points
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Smriti Mandhana is the only Indian in the TIME100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026.
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She is the current vice-captain of the Indian Women's Cricket Team.
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She became the first Indian woman to score a double century in a domestic one-day match .
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She is the first Indian woman to score centuries in all three international formats (Test, ODI, T20I).
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She holds the joint record for most centuries in women's international cricket (17) .
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She became the first woman cricketer to score more than 1,000 ODI runs in a single calendar year .
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She set the record for the highest number of international runs by a woman in a single year (2024) and broke her own record in 2025.
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She became India's highest run-scorer in T20 Internationals across both men's and women's cricket in 2026.
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She captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru to two WPL titles (2024 and 2026) .
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She was vice-captain of India's ICC Women's Cricket World Cup-winning team in 2025 and was India's highest run-scorer with 434 runs.
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She received the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year Award in 2025 .
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Who is the only Indian in the TIME100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026?
A: Smriti Mandhana is the only Indian to feature in the TIME100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026 list.
Q2: How many international centuries has Smriti Mandhana scored?
A: She holds the joint record for the most centuries in women's international cricket with 17 international hundreds .
Q3: Which WPL team does Smriti Mandhana captain?
A: She captains the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and led them to WPL titles in 2024 and 2026.
Q4: What was Smriti Mandhana's role in India's 2025 World Cup win?
A: She was the vice-captain of the team and was India's highest run-scorer with 434 runs .
Q5: What record did Smriti Mandhana set in 2026?
A: She became India's highest run-scorer in T20 Internationals across both men's and women's cricket in 2026.