The Indian women’s cricket team scripted history on Sunday, lifting their maiden Women’s ODI World Cup trophy. The landmark victory has not only brought home the coveted title but also triggered a massive
surge in brand value for India’s trailblazing cricketers, who are now set to cash in on their success.
According to management firms handling them, top performers like Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, and Jemimah Rodrigues could see their market value soar by over 50%, translating to endorsement deals worth more than ₹1 crore each. The brands lining up range from automobile companies and banks to FMCGs, alongside the usual categories like athleisure, lifestyle, beauty, personal care, and education.
Tuhin Mishra, MD and Co-Founder of Baseline Ventures (which manages Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, and Radha Yadav), and Karan Yadav, Chief Commercial Officer of JSW Sports (which handles Shafali and Jemimah), both expressed optimism about what lies ahead for women’s cricket.
“We’re seeing a two to threefold jump in endorsement value for the top tier. Jemimah’s gone from around ₹60 lakh to over ₹1.5 crore, while Shafali has moved from ₹40 lakh to over ₹1 crore,” Yadav told PTI.
Mishra added, “We expect a 25–55% rise for the top players — even higher for those who stood out during the World Cup. This win should cement women’s cricket commercially, encouraging brands to seek long-term partnerships instead of one-off campaigns.”
Yadav noted that the surge isn’t just about the trophy but also about stronger fan engagement. “Their social media growth has exploded — Jemimah’s following has doubled to 3.3 million, and Shafali’s is up nearly 50%. Brands now see them as year-round storytellers, not just seasonal faces, and pricing is reflecting that,” he said.
Mishra highlighted how women cricketers are breaking new ground by endorsing brands traditionally dominated by men. “Smriti has already worked with Hyundai, Gulf Oil, SBI, and PNB MetLife — all from male-heavy industries. That shows how the market genuinely values our women stars now,” he said.
Mandhana’s endorsement portfolio continues to grow, featuring brands like Rexona, Herbalife, Nike, SG, Nestlé Maggi, and Volini, along with her ongoing association with UNICEF. “Women cricketers today represent authenticity and ambition — qualities that resonate from metros to tier-3 towns. Their brand appeal is now wide and deep,” Mishra added.
Yadav summed up the shift, “It’s not just about performance anymore. These women embody confidence, equality, and modern Indian womanhood. Earlier, fitness and sportswear led the way, but now categories like banking, autos, beauty, travel, and consumer tech are stepping in. The win has made them mainstream. Star power is no longer just about stats — it’s about authenticity and cultural relevance. At this rate, women cricketers could soon command 20–25% of total cricket endorsement value.”
(With PTI Inputs)
