World Cup win: Top players poised for 10–20% rise in endorsement values?

India’s historic ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup victory has not only rewritten sporting history but also set the stage for a new era of commercial opportunity in women’s cricket. As record viewership, packed stadiums, and rising fan engagement signal a cultural shift, brands and broadcasters are taking notice. Industry experts say the win will significantly elevate the team’s brand valuation, endorsement potential, and long-term market positioning—cementing women’s cricket as one of India’s most powerful engines of sporting and social transformation.

The win is expected to boost the team’s brand valuation by 20–30%, according to Umakanta Panigrahi, Managing Director, Valuation Services, Kroll. He said endorsement values for top players could rise 10–20%, driven by higher visibility, stronger fan connect and growing advertiser confidence.

Umakanta added that sponsorship and broadcast revenues are likely to climb as viewership and engagement soar across OTT and social platforms. “This win reshapes perception, positioning the women’s team as a symbol of resilience, ambition and national pride. It also opens the door for new brand categories such as technology, wellness and education to partner with women athletes, promoting inclusivity and gender-balanced storytelling,” he said.

Following the victory, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a ₹51 crore cash reward for the team, selectors and support staff.  BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said, “This triumph reflects the growth of Indian women’s cricket and the commitment of our players. The ₹51 crore reward is a recognition of their hard work and the milestone they have achieved. We believe this success will further strengthen the commercial and emotional investment in women’s cricket.”

India won its first-ever ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup after defeating South Africa by 52 runs in the final on Sunday. Batting first, India posted 298/7, while South Africa were bowled out for 246.

Former captain Mithali Raj reflected on how far the sport has come. “Annual contract to tha hi nahi... there was no match fee. If I am not wrong, jab hum 2005 runners-up the, we were given Rs. 1000 per match. There was absolutely no money in the sport. Wo to abhi aaya hai when we came under BCCI,” she said.

Since 2022, India’s women cricketers have earned equal match fees as men—₹15 lakh for a Test, ₹6 lakh for an ODI, and ₹3 lakh for a T20I. Annual central contracts range from ₹50 lakh (Grade A) to ₹10 lakh (Grade C).

The win is expected to accelerate the commercial value of players who already enjoy strong fan followings. Smriti Mandhana has 13.2 million followers on Instagram, while Jemimah Rodrigues has 3.1 million. By comparison, Ꮪhubman Gill has 18.4M followers and Arshdeep Singh who is fairly active on Instagram hosts 4.3 million followers.

While star players like Virat Kohli have 274 million, Rohit Sharma 44.3 million and MS Dhoni 49.8 million.

Jemimah Rodrigues has become one of the most recognisable faces in Indian sports. She was the first female sportsperson ambassador for boAt and has also featured in Platinum Evara’s “Becoming Me” campaign. In 2024 she signed a long-term deal with Human Mobile Devices (HMD) and her endorsements now include Red Bull, Hyundai, and Dream11. Experts estimate her brand value could rise by up to 100 percent by the end of 2025. Brands see her as a youth icon who connects with audiences across lifestyle and tech categories.

Harmanpreet Kaur, captain of India’s T20 and ODI teams, continues to be a trusted name for brands. Her major endorsements include Puma, Boost, CEAT Tyres and JBL. In 2025 she became the brand ambassador for cricket analytics platform CREX, strengthening her association with technology and performance-led products. Her brand image is built on leadership, discipline and dependability, qualities that appeal to a wide audience beyond cricket fans.

Smriti Mandhana remains the most visible face of Indian women’s cricket. She endorses Hero MotoCorp, Puma, Emami, B Natural Juices, BharatPe and Equitas Bank. In June 2025 she became the brand ambassador for Herbalife India’s Ayurvedic skincare line “Vritilife.” Mandhana’s appeal lies in her consistent performance and relatable personality, making her one of the top choices for both sports and lifestyle brands.

Deepti Sharma represents reliability and focus. Her partnerships include MyFitness Peanut Butter, Banyan Nation and SG Cricket. She was appointed Deputy Superintendent of Police in Uttar Pradesh in 2025 and leads her state’s WPL franchise. Her image of balance and strength continues to attract brands that value authenticity and purpose.

Young players like Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh are also emerging as strong brand names. Shafali is associated with Bank of Baroda and CEAT Tyres and is managed by JSW Sports. Richa featured in PUMA India’s “You Need Balls” campaign with Harmanpreet Kaur and is represented by Baseline Ventures, which also manages PV Sindhu and Smriti Mandhana.

The 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup recorded more than 190 million live viewers, marking the highest ever for a women’s cricket tournament. Hosted entirely in India for the first time, the event saw packed stadiums and strong fan participation. India’s semifinal win against Australia became one of the most-watched games, as the team chased down 341 runs, the highest successful chase in women’s ODI history. With the Women’s Premier League also drawing higher broadcast interest, industry experts believe the sport’s commercial value will grow sharply over the next three years.