The Women Who Shape Cricket, Business & Power In India

The IPL is often sold as cricket’s biggest entertainment spectacle. But behind the auctions and packed stadiums, there is another layer that doesn’t always get attention. A group of women who don’t just “support” teams but actually own, run and shape them.

Preity Zinta and Punjab Kings: The Actor Who Stayed for the Long Game

Preity Zinta has been part of the IPL since the beginning. In 2008, she became co-owner of Punjab Kings, investing around ₹35 crore at the time. Back then, it looked like a celebrity move. Years later, it turned into a serious business asset. The franchise is now valued at nearly $925 million.

Zinta built her wealth through more than cricket. She has invested in real estate in Mumbai’s Pali Hill worth about ₹17 crore, and a house in Shimla valued at around ₹7 crore. She also earns heavily through brand endorsements, reportedly ₹1.5 to ₹2 crore per deal.

After her marriage to Gene Goodenough and a move to Los Angeles, she stepped back from films but didn’t step away from business. Her estimated net worth is around ₹183 crore. She is also set to return to films with Lahore 1947, reportedly earning ₹10 crore for the project.

Kavya Maran and Sunrisers Hyderabad: The Quiet Powerhouse in Auctions

Kavya Maran represents a very different IPL personality. No film background, no public performance. Just laser-cut business execution.

She is the CEO of Sunrisers Hyderabad and Executive Director of Sun TV Network. Her education includes a B.Com from Stella Maris College and an MBA from Warwick Business School.

She has been leading Sunrisers since 2018 by handling auctions, team decisions, and overall strategy. Under her leadership, the Sun Group expanded cricket investments globally, including leagues in South Africa and England.

Her personal net worth is estimated between ₹400 crore and ₹435 crore.

Juhi Chawla and Kolkata Knight Riders: Entertainment Meets Ownership

Juhi Chawla is co-owner of the Kolkata Knight Riders along with her husband Jay Mehta and actorShah Rukh Khan. The team was bought in 2007 for about $75 million. Since then, KKR has grown into one of IPL’s most valuable and successful franchises, with multiple title wins.

But Chawla’s business footprint is not limited to cricket. She is involved in film production through earlier ventures like Dreamz Unlimited, restaurant businesses such as Gustoso and Rue du Liban, and real estate investments across Mumbai and Gujarat. She also holds stakes in companies like Saurashtra Cement.

Her estimated net worth is around ₹4,600 crore, making her one of the richest actresses in India.

Nita Ambani and Mumbai Indians: Building a Winning Culture

Nita Ambani is closely associated with the Mumbai Indians, which today has a brand value exceeding ₹2,510 crore. Backed by Reliance Industries, one of India’s largest corporate groups, her association with MI places her at the centre of one of the most valuable franchises in the IPL ecosystem.

When the franchise was bought in 2008, she initially appeared at matches as an owner’s family member. But things changed quickly after early struggles. She became deeply involved in team structure and decision-making.

Ananya Birla and the New Investment Wave Around RCB

Ananya Birla represents a newer category of IPL-linked influence. Unlike legacy owners, she belongs to a generation that moves across startups, entertainment and investment spaces.

She came into the spotlight after the Aditya Birla Group-led consortium was linked with the ₹16,600 crore acquisition of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), one of the biggest franchise deals in IPL history. The move pushed her name into conversations around the future of IPL ownership and corporate-backed teams in cricket.

While not an IPL franchise owner in the traditional sense, she is part of the growing ecosystem of investors shaping modern sports ownership in India.