The Women’s Power 50, the first-ever list of the 50 most significant women influencing the cricket industry globally, was revealed today by cricexec, the trade newspaper devoted to the global cricket industry. The list honours the CEOs, owners, administrators, broadcasters, and business executives whose choices are shaping the worldwide game’s future.
The Women’s Power 50 comes at a time when women are increasingly holding some of the most significant leadership roles in the sport off the pitch, while women’s cricket continues to achieve new heights on the pitch. The yearly list is the first concerted attempt to record and honour their influence on the commercial environment of cricket.
“The business of cricket is evolving rapidly, and women are playing an increasingly important role in shaping its future across governance, investment, broadcasting, franchise ownership and commercial partnerships. The Women’s Power 50 celebrates those leaders and provides a definitive annual record of the people driving the game forward off the pitch,” said Zee Zaidi, Founder & Publisher, cricexec.
India is the commercial hub of international cricket, as evidenced by the fact that it has the highest representation of any nation on the first list. Nita Ambani is at the top of the list due to her influence throughout the most lucrative ecosystem in cricket.
The Indian contingent also represents the growth of cricket leadership beyond traditional administration. Among those mentioned are Preity Zinta and Juhi Chawla, who pioneered franchise ownership in the Indian Premier League, as well as Mithali Raj, whose evolution from one of the game’s greatest players to an influential voice in cricket’s future illustrates the growing importance of former athletes in shaping the sport. The list also includes well-known presenters Sanjana Ganesan and Mayanti Langer, who are among the most identifiable faces in cricket broadcasting.
The ranking also acknowledges the rise of a new generation of leaders reshaping cricket’s global destiny. Among them are Kavya Maran, one of the youngest and most recognisable franchise executives in world cricket; Priyanka Kaul, Co-Founder of the European T20 Premier League (ETPL), renowned for co-founding and establishing one of cricket’s newest ICC-sanctioned franchise leagues in Europe; Rupa Gurunath, whose leadership has boosted cricket administration and franchise cricket in India; and Binda Dey, Group Chief Marketing Officer of Knight Riders Sports, recognised for helping build one of cricket’s most successful global franchise brands through marketing, fan engagement and commercial strategy.
For the complete list, fans can visit cricexec’s official website.
Cricket is undergoing one of its most profitable times in history, as to the fast development of franchise leagues, record-breaking broadcast rights deals, and the sport’s rising worldwide influence. The Women’s Power 50 aspires to acknowledge and celebrate the leaders who are shaping cricket’s future beyond the pitch.
