Indian Women Cricketers’ Brand Value Surges Over 50% Post Historic World Cup Win
Jemima Rodrigues now commands ₹1.5 crore in endorsements; Shafali Verma crosses ₹1 crore mark as brands flock to mainstream stars
Mumbai: The triumphant Indian women’s cricket team, fresh from clinching their maiden ODI World Cup title on November 2, has seen a staggering 50%+ spike in brand value, propelling top performers like Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, and Jemima Rodrigues into high-demand endorsement territories exceeding ₹1 crore per deal.
According to a PTI report, the victory over South Africa by 52 runs at DY Patil Stadium has transformed these athletes from promising talents to mainstream icons. Brands spanning automobiles, banking, FMCG, athleisure, lifestyle, beauty, personal care, and education sectors are eager to rope them in, even entering spaces traditionally dominated by male cricketers.
Explaining brand value, it’s essentially the market price of a player’s name, image, and fan following—measured in rupees through endorsement deals. The World Cup win has amplified this, with social media engagement exploding: Jemima’s followers doubled to 3.3 million, while Shafali’s rose over 50%.
JSW Sports’ Chief Commercial Officer Karan Yadav, who manages Jemima, revealed top players’ endorsement values have multiplied 2-3 times. Jemima’s jumped from ₹60 lakh to over ₹1.5 crore, and Shafali’s from ₹40 lakh to beyond ₹1 crore.
The final saw India post 298/7, powered by Shafali’s 87, Deepti Sharma’s 58, Mandhana’s 45, and Richa Ghosh’s 34. South Africa’s chase ended at 246, with captain Laura Wolvaardt’s century in vain. Deepti claimed 5 wickets and was named Player of the Tournament; Shafali’s part-time spin fetched 2 crucial scalps.
Baseline Ventures co-founder Tuhin Mishra, handling Richa Ghosh and Radha Yadav, noted the shift from ‘promising’ to ‘mainstream’. If trends persist, women cricketers could command 20-25% of total cricket endorsement value in coming years.
Adding to the buzz, Tata Motors MD & CEO Shailesh Chandra announced gifting top-model Tata Sierra SUVs to all players, inspired by their determination—a savvy branding move amid soaring social metrics.
The team met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 5, capping a 47-year wait for the coveted trophy.
