Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in celebrating India’s first ever ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title, calling it a historic win that will inspire generations to come. He said the team’s performance showed great skill and confidence and that the victory would motivate future champions to take up sports. His message came soon after India’s 52 run triumph over South Africa in Navi Mumbai.
As celebrations spread across the country, the impact of the win reached far beyond the field. India’s women cricketers have become some of the most sought after names in the branding world. Endorsement deals have flooded in, and fees have increased sharply almost overnight.
Players such as Jemimah Rodrigues, Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma, and Shafali Verma have seen their brand values rise between 25 and 100 percent, according to talent management executives.
Tuhin Mishra, managing director of Baseline Ventures, said that since the morning after the final there had been a rush of brand queries and renegotiations, with fee hikes of up to 30 percent.
Jemimah Rodrigues, whose remarkable semi final knock against Australia was described as the innings of the tournament, has seen her endorsement value double, according to Karan Yadav of JSW Sports. She is now in talks with more than a dozen brands and has joined the league of India’s highest paid female athletes. Rodrigues already works with Red Bull, Boat, Nike, SG, and Surf Excel, and her signing fees range from 75 lakh to 1.5 crore per brand.
Smriti Mandhana, India’s most marketable female cricketer, endorses 16 brands including Nike, Hyundai, State Bank of India, and Herbalife, with annual fees between 1.5 and 2 crore for each deal.
New Icons, New Momentum
Major global companies such as Google Gemini, Puma, State Bank of India, Red Bull, and Rexona are extending partnerships with the winning players. New interest is coming from sectors including women’s health, lifestyle, wellness, and automobiles.
The win has inspired tributes from across industries. Anand Mahindra said that the team did not just lift the trophy but lifted the game itself. Google chief executive Sundar Pichai called the final a nail biting and inspiring contest.
Hindustan Unilever’s Priya Nair linked the triumph to Surf Excel’s Daag Acche Hain campaign after Rodrigues’ photo in a dirt streaked jersey went viral. The company sent her an empty detergent bottle with a note that read, A victory so special, maybe skip washing this one.
A Defining Moment for Indian Sport
Former India captain Diana Edulji described it as the proudest moment of her life. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said the players had won hearts across the nation. Home Minister Amit Shah called the victory a crowning moment for the country and an inspiration for millions of girls.
With this victory, India’s long wait for an ICC title has ended. At a packed DY Patil Stadium, Harmanpreet Kaur’s team showed composure and strength to lift the nation’s first ever ICC Women’s World Cup trophy.
India’s women cricketers have changed not only the game but also the market. Their success has redefined what sporting glory means in the country.
