Rahul SahaWith the inauguration of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) earlier this year, women cricketers in the country have started receiving the limelight they’ve been looking for, with brands realising the potential of the women’s sports market in the country. Apart from that, some of the well-known names in other sports who’ve been flying the Indian flag high have also continued attracting interest.
This article contains information about the top Indian female athletes who picked up the most number of brand deals in 2023.
Also Read – Top 10 Indian male athletes with most brand deals in 2023
Nikhat Zareen: 2
(Lifespan, NMDC)
Nikhat Zareen is a 27-year-old Indian boxer and a two-time world champion. One of the brightest stars in the Indian boxing circuit, Zareen’s rise to top has been nothing short of sensational. Hailing from Nizamabad, Telangana, Zareen won consecutive world championships in 2022 and 2023 as well as a Commonwealth Games gold and an Asian Games bronze, delivering for country on some of the world’s biggest stages.
Zareen’s success inside the ring hasn’t gone unnoticed and she has earned herself two endorsement deals this year. In January, Indian PSU National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) roped her in as a brand ambassador, while Lifespan, an Indian manufacturer of nutraceuticals, herbal, ayurvedic and personal care products, was the other brand to tie her up on an endorsement deal.
Saina Nehwal: 3
(Harvest Gold, Savlon, Amezcua)
The former world no. 1—and the only female player to ever reach the badminton summit from India—has been an inspiration for a whole generation. A winner of 24 international titles, including 10 Super Series titles, Nehwal has only had Olympic glory and world titles eluding her.
Despite a slew of injuries keeping her away from the court, the 33-year-old still bagged two endorsement deals this year. In August, ITC’s antibacterial personal care products brand Savlon roped her in as a brand ambassador, which was followed by Harvest Gold, one of the leading baked food companies in the world, doing the same. Earlier this month, Amezcua also roped her in as its brand ambassador.
PV Sindhu: 4
(Centuary Mattress, Biryani By kilo, FlyBoo, American Pistachios Growers)
PV Sindhu is one of the most recognised names across the Indian sporting circles. After winning gold at the 2019 World Championships and becoming the first Indian female athlete to win two individual medals at the Olympics, worldwide success has made Sindhu a sporting icon in the country. She achieved a career-high ranking of second in 2017 and won gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Aside from her on-court heroics, the 28-year-old is one of the highest-paid female athletes in the world, as reported by Forbes. In 2023, she signed four endorsement deals in total.
In January, Indian biryani and kebab brand Biryani By Kilo roped Sindhu in as a brand ambassador. In August, Indian mattress company Centuary Mattress signed a partnership deal with her, while in October American Pistachios Growers (APG) and Indian travel company FlyBoo signed deals with her.
Harmanpreet Kaur: 4
(Hapi Pola, Puma, Center Fruit, MyMaster11)
Harmanpreet Kaur is currently the captain of the India women’s national cricket team across all formats. The 2017 Arjuna Awardee has been a stalwart over the years ever since making her debut in 2009. An excellent middle-order batter, Kaur is one of three Indian women to score more than 3,000 runs in ODIs and the only Indian woman to score more than 3,000 runs in T20Is.
Given her appeal and stardom as one of the biggest stars in women’s cricket, there has been no shortage of brands flocking to tie her up on endorsement deals.
In January, German sportswear and sports equipment brand Puma unveiled Kaur as a brand ambassador. In February, she became Chennai-based audio electronic products brand Hapi Pola’s brand ambassador. In May, Center Fruit, one of the key brands of PVMI, unveiled a new ad called “Mood Ting Tong” featuring the Indian skipper. In October, she was roped in by fantasy sports platform MyMaster11.
Sania Mirza: 7
(Philips Avent, Sony Sports Network, Hathway, Centuary Mattresses, ALYF, SG Mavericks, Possible)
A former World No. 1 in women’s doubles and a six-time Grand Slam winner, Sania Mirza has very few other Indian female athletes matching her legacy. Apart from her exploits in the doubles and mixed-doubles circuits, Mirza was the No. 1-ranked Indian women’s singles player from 2003 till her singles retirement in 2013. Thus, it is not surprising that brands still consider her an excellent investment.
This calendar year, the 37-year-old signed seven brand deals. In January, Philips Avent launched the “#ComebackYourWay” campaign, of which Mirza served as a spokesperson, while in May, she was on-boarded by Sony Sports Network India as its “Tennis Ambassador”, a role that sees her serve as a panellist. In March, healthcare startup Possible roped her in, while in April, Indian mattress company Centuary Mattress did the same. By October, three more brands — ALYF, SG Mavericks and Hathway — had signed endorsement deals with the former tennis player.
Smriti Mandhana: 7
(PNB MetLife, SG, Wrangler, Herbalife Nutrition, MadRabbit, Gulf Oil, Equitas)
The talented Team India opening batter takes the top spot. A role model and an icon for many young girls, Smriti Mandhana was awarded the Best Women’s International Cricketer distinction from the BCCI in June 2018, while she also received the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year in January 2022.
2023 has been a very busy year for the 27-year-old off the field. In January, she signed endorsement deals with electronics brand MadRabbit and nutrition supplements manufacturer Herbalife Nutrition. In June, international denim brand Wrangler signed her as a brand ambassador, while in September cricket gear and accessories firm Sanspareil Greenlands (SG) roped her in in the same capacity. More recently, in December, life insurance company PNB MetLife unveiled Mandhana as one of its brand ambassadors.
