India's women's cricket star Smriti Mandhana and South Africa's Test captain Temba Bavuma are the only cricketers featured in TIME magazine's 'The 100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026' list, published earlier this month.
The inclusion highlights their significant impact on global cricket. Charlie Campbell, editor-at-large at TIME, noted Mandhana's record-breaking career, including being the first Indian woman to score a domestic ODI double century and the first woman to score international centuries in all three formats. She holds the record for most international centuries in women's cricket with 17.
Campbell also highlighted Mandhana's leadership achievements: captaining Royal Challengers Bengaluru to Women's Premier League titles in 2024 and 2026, and serving as vice-captain during India's ICC Women's World Cup triumph in 2025. He wrote, 'The records keep tumbling in for Smriti Mandhana... She is also the first woman to score more than 1,000 ODI runs in a calendar year. But Mandhana is proudest of the team honors.'
Regarding Temba Bavuma, Campbell emphasized his historical and social significance as one of the few Black South African cricketers. Bavuma became the first Black South African to score a Test century in 2016 and the first Black captain of the national team in 2021. In 2025, he led South Africa to a historic Test series win in India and an unbeaten World Test Championship triumph over Australia.
Campbell wrote, 'Temba Bavuma has always carried more than the weight of his shirt... Last year, Bavuma led South Africa to a historic Test series win in India as well as victory in the World Test Championship, besting a heavily favored Australia in the final.' Bavuma's heroic 66 runs in the final despite a hamstring strain contributed to South Africa's first international title since 1998.
Cricket South Africa congratulated Bavuma, stating: 'A Prestigious Honour. #TheProteas captain, Temba Bavuma, has been named in TIME's 100 Most Influential People in Sports. Recognised for his inspirational leadership and for guiding South Africa to the ICC World Test Championship title in June 2025.'
