By Sudhir Anand
TIME has released its list of the 100 Most Influential People in Sports for 2026, bringing together athletes, coaches, executives, investors, media personalities and advocates who are shaping the modern sports industry. The list includes internationally recognized names such as LeBron James, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Stephen Curry, Shohei Ohtani, Caitlin Clark, Rory McIlroy and Carlos Alcaraz. It also recognizes several influential figures working behind the scenes in sports business, media and leadership.
The publication divided its selections into four categories: Icons, Titans, Innovators and Leaders. TIME deserves credit for looking beyond individual performances and recognizing people who have influenced culture, business, media and social change. The list also reflects the growing importance of women’s sports, new forms of sports entertainment and athletes who have built powerful personal brands.
However, we believe the limited representation of South Asian athletes and cricket personalities is difficult to overlook. Smriti Mandhana, one of India’s most accomplished cricket stars, was included in the Titans category and her recognition is well deserved. South African cricket captain Temba Bavuma was also included. Still, cricket appears to receive limited attention despite its enormous cultural and commercial importance across South Asia and around the world.
Cricket is not a niche sport. It is one of the world’s most widely followed sports, with a deeply passionate fan base across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, the Caribbean and many other regions. For South Asian communities living in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Middle East and elsewhere, cricket is more than a sport. It is part of a shared cultural identity that connects generations and communities across borders.
India sits at the centre of the modern cricket economy. The Indian Premier League has transformed the sport into a major global entertainment business, attracting leading players, major sponsors and enormous television and streaming audiences. The IPL has also demonstrated that cricket can compete with the world’s most valuable sports leagues in terms of fan engagement, commercial influence and international reach.
The absence of more prominent South Asian cricket personalities is therefore surprising. Figures such as Virat Kohli have built audiences that extend far beyond the cricket field. Kohli is not only one of the most recognized athletes in India but also one of the most followed sports personalities in the world. Other major Indian players, along with influential cricket leaders, broadcasters and IPL figures, have played a significant role in shaping the modern sports industry.
The concern is not that the athletes selected by TIME are undeserving. Many of the names on the list have achieved remarkable results and made meaningful contributions to their sports. The issue is that a global sports list should reflect the realities of the global audience. When cricket and the influence of South Asian fans receive limited recognition, the list risks appearing too heavily shaped by a North American and European perspective.
There is also a broader question about how sporting influence should be measured. Influence should not be determined only by visibility in American media, popularity within Western leagues or recognition among North American audiences. It should also account for global viewership, cultural importance, commercial power and the ability of athletes to connect with hundreds of millions of fans across different countries.
TIME’s 2026 sports list remains an interesting snapshot of the personalities shaping competition, business and sports culture. However, future editions would benefit from a wider lens. Cricket deserves greater recognition, South Asian athletes deserve stronger representation and the IPL deserves to be viewed as one of the most influential forces in the global sports industry.
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