Cricket
Smriti Mandhana earned a major global award, making her the only Indian sportsperson to achieve this honour this year.
This award honours athletes who inspire fans, drive change, and shape the future of sports, not just those who perform well.
Smriti Mandhana is the only Indian on TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026 list, marking another big milestone in her career.
She’s the fastest Indian woman to 10,000 runs, a World Cup winner, an ICC awardee, and one of the top stars in women’s cricket.
Smriti’s influence goes beyond her runs, and she’s inspired many young girls to pursue cricket professionally.
The TIME list features stars like Messi, Ronaldo, and LeBron. Smriti’s inclusion shows the huge progress of Indian women’s cricket.
From young talent to global influencer, Smriti Mandhana’s journey shows her impact goes beyond just cricket.