India's first-ever ICC Women's ODI World Cup victory was not only a sporting triumph, it was the moment that women's cricket in India became a billion-rupee business. The victory, in fact, has changed the whole narrative of the female athletes' perception, valuation, and celebration in the commercial space.
The success led to a large inflow of endorsement deals, with the top players experiencing their brand values increasing by 25% to 100%. Luxury and lifestyle brands are all eager to sign these new icons who are not only the cricketers but also the most influential, trustworthy, and aspirational figures with a reach like never before.
At the forefront of the brand revolution is Smriti Mandhana, India’s female cricketer who earns the most. Her endorsement fee is increased from ₹1.5 crore to ₹2.5 crore per deal, and at the same time, her social media following has been tripled in a day. With her elegance, fashion sense, and athletic supremacy, Smriti is not just a sports star but has become a brand symbol of the nation.
Her value in the market now is nearly the same as a few top male cricketers, which is indicative of a change where a sportsperson’s commercial value will be performance and personality-based rather than gender ones.
After that, there is Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian World Cup winning captain. Endorsement rate of hers has the rise 30–50%, and she is close to getting ₹1 crore per deal. IAccording to her agency, Cornerstone & Entertainment, "Within a few hours of the great accomplishment, real estate major Omaxe signed her on".
Enjoying the reputation for leadership under pressure and playing with strength and determination, Harmanpreet is an amalgamation of power and steadiness, attributes that reflect in brand preference. Her unstoppable expansion of influence over the non-sport segments of the society secures her position as one of the most marketable sports leaders in India.
Without a doubt, confident, and straightforward style with an unbeaten 127 of the final, thus securing India's victory, leading to a doubling of her endorsement value, which is now approximately ₹1.5 crore per deal. Rodriques's youthfulness has become her most valuable asset, and the energy that she radiates naturally makes her a brand ambassador for digital-first and youth-centric brands.
On the other hand, the brand needs for the likes of Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma have also been increasing at a rapid pace, with the endorsement fees for emerging players rising from ₹40–50 lakh to doubling.
Experts are convinced that this is just the beginning of a long period of supported brand values. “The brand-value increase will almost certainly be more sustained,” says Bhairav Shanth of ITW Universe. By 2026, the combined brand value of the women's team is estimated to be double of what it is now, according to the analysts.
The effects of the victory went beyond the rankings, it's the economics of the game that were transformed. The Indian women's team has thus far been the sporty example where sporting success is not only about runs or wickets but also influence, visibility, and empowerment, which are the real powers of today’s age.
