The Only Indian on TIME’s Sports 100 List: Why Smriti Mandhana’s Recognition Matters
Every year, countless rankings celebrate athletes for their performances, records, and trophies. But TIME's list of the 100 Most Influential People in Sports is a little different from them,this one is more than just about scoring runs, or bagging titles. Instead, it recognizes individuals, who are shaping the sports world through their influence, impact, and ability to inspire change. This year, one Indian name, and that too a woman, stood out among global icons Smriti Mandhana , and that was the moment the entire nation felt proud.
Mandhana was added in TIME’s “Titans” category, a space reserved for some of the most influential personalities in global sports. Being placed in this category does not simply come from talent but it is an acknowledgement a sportsperson leaves on the sports and the people who get influenced by it. For years, Smriti Mandhana has been one of the most consistent performers in international cricket. Her batting style, calm presence under pressure, and ability to deliver in crucial moments have earned her admiration from fans and experts around the world.
Women’s cricket in India has seen a meteoric rise in the last 10 years. Stadiums are fuller, matches have bigger audiences and young girls across the country now aspire to wear the Indian jersey. While the upturn in fortunes is a result of collective efforts, Smriti Mandhana has undoubtedly been one of its most recognizable faces.
She represented India on the biggest platforms, and was a captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Women’s Premier League, further becoming a symbol of the game’s growing popularity. Her performances have helped bring long due visibility to women’s cricket.
Mandhana’s career has been rewarded with multiple ICC awards , memorable innings, and several record breaking feats. But numbers alone don’t explain why she has been recognised by TIME. It is the influence she has on the younger generation that got her there. How she is influencing, and helping open the doors for the coming future generations, and what impact her journey has on them, are the defining characteristics, for her win.Through her hardwork, she has become one of the biggest names in Indian sport. Proving that women’s cricket can command the same attention, passion, and loyalty that men's cricket does and gets in this country.
TIME’s list is a celebration of people who are not only excelling in sports but also shaping culture and society through their influence. Smriti Mandhana’s inclusion perfectly captures that idea. It is not just a personal feat. It is a reflection of how far women’s cricket has come and how influential its stars have become on the global stage.Among 100 influential sports personalities from around the world, there was only one Indian athlete this year. That athlete was Smriti Mandhana, a recognition that marks an important moment not just for her career, but for Indian sport as a whole.
A Place Among the Titans
Mandhana was added in TIME’s “Titans” category, a space reserved for some of the most influential personalities in global sports. Being placed in this category does not simply come from talent but it is an acknowledgement a sportsperson leaves on the sports and the people who get influenced by it. For years, Smriti Mandhana has been one of the most consistent performers in international cricket. Her batting style, calm presence under pressure, and ability to deliver in crucial moments have earned her admiration from fans and experts around the world.
The Face of a New Era in Women’s Cricket
Women’s cricket in India has seen a meteoric rise in the last 10 years. Stadiums are fuller, matches have bigger audiences and young girls across the country now aspire to wear the Indian jersey. While the upturn in fortunes is a result of collective efforts, Smriti Mandhana has undoubtedly been one of its most recognizable faces.
She represented India on the biggest platforms, and was a captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Women’s Premier League, further becoming a symbol of the game’s growing popularity. Her performances have helped bring long due visibility to women’s cricket.
Beyond the Records and Awards
Mandhana’s career has been rewarded with multiple ICC awards , memorable innings, and several record breaking feats. But numbers alone don’t explain why she has been recognised by TIME. It is the influence she has on the younger generation that got her there. How she is influencing, and helping open the doors for the coming future generations, and what impact her journey has on them, are the defining characteristics, for her win.Through her hardwork, she has become one of the biggest names in Indian sport. Proving that women’s cricket can command the same attention, passion, and loyalty that men's cricket does and gets in this country.
Recognition Beyond Cricket
TIME’s list is a celebration of people who are not only excelling in sports but also shaping culture and society through their influence. Smriti Mandhana’s inclusion perfectly captures that idea. It is not just a personal feat. It is a reflection of how far women’s cricket has come and how influential its stars have become on the global stage.Among 100 influential sports personalities from around the world, there was only one Indian athlete this year. That athlete was Smriti Mandhana, a recognition that marks an important moment not just for her career, but for Indian sport as a whole.
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