Indian women’s cricket star Smriti Mandhana has added another milestone to her growing list of achievements. The stylish left-handed opener has been named in TIME magazine’s prestigious list of “The 100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026”, placing her alongside some of the biggest names in global sport, including Lionel Messi, Carlos Alcaraz, Cristiano Ronaldo, Erling Haaland and Jannik Sinner.
Over the years, Mandhana has emerged as one of the most recognisable faces of Indian cricket. Her impact has extended beyond the women’s game, with her consistency and record-breaking performances earning admiration across the sporting world.
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A landmark recognition for Indian Cricket
TIME described its annual list as a celebration of individuals shaping the future of sport. "From athletes and coaches to advocates and investors, these are the people shaping sports today," the publication said while unveiling the 2026 edition of the list.
Another milestone in Smriti Mandhana’s record-breaking journey. /ANI Mandhana’s inclusion comes at a time when she continues to rewrite record books. Earlier this year, she became the highest-scoring Indian in T20 Internationals, overtaking Rohit Sharma’s tally of 4,231 runs. The Indian vice-captain now has 4,401 runs in 161 T20I innings.
TIME highlights Mandhana’s record-breaking journey
Explaining her selection, TIME highlighted several milestones from Mandhana’s career. "The records keep tumbling in for Smriti Mandhana. The Mumbai-born left-handed opening batter was the first Indian woman to score a double century in a domestic one-day game, the first to score a century in all three international formats, and is a joint holder of the most international women's cricket centuries with 17."
The publication also pointed to her contributions as a leader and match-winner. "Mandhana is also the first woman to score more than 1,000 one-day international runs in a calendar year. 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. In 2024, Mandhana set the record for most international runs across formats by a woman and then beat her own record last year-a feat that contributed to her being crowned BBC Indian Sportswoman of 2025."
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Mandhana stands alongside Messi, Ronaldo and Alcaraz. /ANI Continuing her fine form
Mandhana is currently representing India in the Women’s T20 World Cup. She made an immediate impact in the team’s opening match against Pakistan, scoring 68 off 44 deliveries. Her innings helped India post 170/6 before securing a commanding 64-run victory.
With records continuing to fall and global recognition growing, Mandhana’s latest honour further underlines her influence on the modern game.
