Jemimah Rodrigues doubles brand fee after World Cup glory

India’s historic Women’s ODI World Cup triumph has not only rewritten cricketing history but also transformed the brand value of its heroes overnight.

Players like Jemimah Rodrigues, Smriti Mandhana, and Harmanpreet Kaur are now commanding skyrocketing endorsement fees, with increases ranging between 25% and 100%, according to a report.

The women’s team’s maiden World Cup victory over South Africa in Navi Mumbai has triggered an unprecedented surge in commercial demand, reshaping the landscape of women’s sports marketing in India.

“Since this morning, there’s been a rush of brand queries — not just for new endorsements but also for renegotiations, with fee increases upwards of 25–30%,” said Tuhin Mishra, Managing Director of Baseline Ventures, which represents several top cricketers.

Leading the charge is Jemimah Rodrigues, whose unbeaten 127 against Australia in the semi-final turned her into a national sensation. Her brand fee has reportedly doubled to between ₹75 lakh and ₹1.5 crore per endorsement, depending on the duration and scope of association.

“We’ve been flooded with requests across 10–12 categories,” confirmed Karan Yadav, Chief Commercial Officer at JSW Sports, which manages Jemimah.

Smriti Mandhana, India’s most marketable female cricketer, continues to dominate the endorsement arena with marquee brands such as Nike, Hyundai, SBI, Herbalife, Gulf Oil, and HUL’s Rexona.

Her endorsement value stands between ₹1.5 crore and ₹2 crore per brand — making her one of the highest-paid women athletes in Asia.

Even before the final, Hindustan Unilever had planned full-page celebratory ads for Surf Excel and Rexona, aligning their campaigns with the spirit of India’s women cricketers. “The maidan belongs to every woman who shows up, stands tall, and plays her heart out,” said Priya Nair, HUL’s Managing Director, echoing the sentiment behind the “Daag Acche Hain” campaign.

Brands like Puma, Pepsi, and Swiggy Instamart also joined the celebration, flooding social media with creative tributes. Puma’s campaign read, “Every doubt. Every headline. Every heartbreak. Burned. Harmanpreet Kaur is a World Cup-winning captain.”

The euphoria around India’s World Cup victory has ushered in a new commercial dawn for women’s cricket — a moment of recognition, respect, and reward. The challenge now lies in sustaining this newfound momentum and ensuring that women’s sport remains at the forefront of India’s brand landscape.