India’s women cricketers are witnessing an incredible surge in popularity and brand value after winning their first-ever Women’s World Cup by defeating South Africa in Navi Mumbai on Sunday. This victory has not only ended years of heartbreak and close misses but has also opened the door to new opportunities and recognition for the players.
Brand Endorsements Surge by 25% to 100%
According to early reports, brand endorsement fees for players in the Indian women’s team have increased by 25% to 100%. Agencies have reported a flood of inquiries from brands looking to collaborate with top cricketers such as Jemimah Rodrigues, Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma, and Shafali Verma.
Tuhin Mishra, Managing Director of Baseline Ventures, revealed that since the World Cup win, there has been an overwhelming rush of brand queries, including new deals and renegotiations. Many players are now charging 25–30% higher fees than before.
Jemimah Rodrigues Leads the Charge
Jemimah Rodrigues, who became a national sensation after scoring an unbeaten 127 in the semi-final against Australia, has seen her brand value double. Karan Yadav, Chief Commercial Officer at JSW Sports (the agency managing her), confirmed that they are currently in talks with 10–12 brand categories.
Jemimah now charges between Rs. 75 lakh to Rs. 1.5 crore per endorsement, depending on the duration and nature of the partnership.
Smriti Mandhana – The Highest-Paid Star
Smriti Mandhana remains one of the most sought-after names in women’s cricket. She endorses 16 major brands including Nike, Hyundai, Rexona, Herbalife, SBI, Gulf Oil, and PNB MetLife Insurance. Smriti reportedly earns Rs. 1.5–2 crore per brand deal, making her the highest-paid female cricketer in India.
Brands Celebrate India’s Historic Win
Several top companies took to social media to celebrate India’s World Cup triumph:
- Surf Excel & Rexona (HUL) – Priya Nair, MD of Hindustan Unilever, had prepared a full-page ad even before the final, highlighting the spirit and strength of Indian women cricketers.
- Swiggy Instamart – Posted, “Queen served so good, the entire stadium couldn’t sit still.”
- Puma – Proud sponsor of Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma, and Richa Ghosh, shared: “Every doubt. Every headline. Every heartbreak. Burned.”
- Pepsi – Wrote, “From one blue team to another,” congratulating the champions.
A New Era for Women’s Cricket in India
The World Cup victory has brought Indian women cricketers the spotlight, respect, and recognition they truly deserve. Their social media followers have doubled or even tripled, and brands are lining up to sign them.
However, experts say the real challenge lies in ensuring this attention continues and does not fade away with time. Consistent support, investments, and opportunities will help women’s cricket grow even stronger.
