The Indian Express has released its prestigious 100 Most Powerful People List 2026, an annual ranking of the 100 most powerful Indians across politics, business, entertainment, and sport. And once again, cricket has made its presence felt in the most emphatic way possible.
ICC Chairman and former BCCI secretary Jay Shah secured the 22nd position, making him the most influential figure in Indian cricket administration, shaping the sport’s global growth and financial structure.
As IPL 2026 kicks off with full intensity, the IE100 list is a powerful reminder that Indian cricket’s influence stretches far beyond the boundary rope and into the boardrooms, governance structures, and national consciousness of the country.
Jay Shah at Number 22: The Most Powerful Cricketing Name in India
Jay Shah’s rise in the 100 Most Powerful People List 2026 shows his strong control over cricket administration. As Chairman of the International Cricket Council, he shapes global decisions and drives the overall direction of the sport.
He jumped significantly compared to his 2025 ranking of 24th, and compared to his 2024 ranking of 35th, a clear upward trajectory year after year. According to Indian Express, Shah has several major global events lined up including the Women’s ODI World Cup, Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, and the Men’s ODI World Cup 2027.
Gautam Gambhir at 74: Top-Ranked Sportsperson of 2026
In a major surprise, India head coach Gautam Gambhir emerged as the top-ranked sportsperson in the IE100 list of 2026, securing the 74th position overall and overtaking both Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah.
Under his guidance, India won the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Asia Cup 2025, and ICC T20 World Cup 2026 — three major titles in a single coaching cycle. Gambhir has pushed for a more aggressive style of cricket while backing young players in key roles during high-pressure series, and has remained active in workload management and long-term planning discussions.
Virat Kohli at 75: Still Unmovable Despite Slight Slip
Virat Kohli is ranked 75th overall. He was positioned slightly higher at 72nd in the 2025 edition. Despite slipping a few places, Kohli continues to remain one of the most influential figures in Indian sport owing to his consistent performances and massive global following.
Kohli remains among the most followed cricketers globally, with over 270 million Instagram followers and several major brand endorsements across sectors. He is currently representing Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.
Jasprit Bumrah at 82: Rewarded for T20 World Cup Heroics
Jasprit Bumrah is ranked 82nd overall, earning recognition for his exploits in the recent T20 World Cup. His impact as India’s pace spearhead has been instrumental in the team’s success, cementing his position as one of the premier fast bowlers in world cricket.
In the T20 World Cup 2026 Final against New Zealand, Bumrah returned figures of 4 overs, 0 maidens, 15 runs, 4 wickets and earned the Player of the Match award as India secured a 96-run win while defending 256. He is now representing Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026 in his 14th season with the franchise.
The Big Shocker: Rohit Sharma Drops Out Entirely
In a surprising turn, Rohit Sharma failed to feature in the top 100 list this year. In 2025, he had held the distinction of being the highest-ranked Indian sportsperson, placing 48th overal, indicating a significant reshuffle in the perceived influence of sporting figures in India.
The IE100 2026 list confirms what fans already know: Indian cricket is not just a sport, it is one of the most powerful forces shaping modern India. For full match analysis and player spotlights throughout IPL 2026, keep reading CricThugs every single day of the season.
Lucky Raina is a complete cricket writer chasing corporate dreams by day and cricket stories by night. Once a promising Under 16 cricketer, life took him down a different pitch but the love for the game never left.
