THE LEADERS
The owners and chief executives whose decisions move the whole game.
At the top of cricket's commercial pyramid sit the women who own its most valuable franchises and steer its governing institutions — the ones whose choices shape budgets, broadcasts, and the direction of the sport itself. When they act, the industry moves with them.
01
Nita Ambani
Owner | Mumbai Indians
Chairperson | JioStar
Member | International Olympic Committee
Nita Ambani sits at the pinnacle of Indian sports and global cricket, shaping the direction of the game as Owner and Chairperson of the Mumbai Indians and Chair of JioStar, India’s leading sports broadcaster. Her leadership spans professional franchises, international media, and development programs, positioning her as a defining force in both Indian and global sports. Read Full Profile
02
Clare Connor
Deputy CEO & Managing Director, England Women | England & Wales Cricket Board
Chair, England Women | ICC Women's Cricket Committee
Clare Connor will step down from her role as Managing Director, England Women, and Deputy CEO of the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) this summer, following the ICC T20 Women’s World Cup in England, leaving behind a transformative legacy in women’s cricket. This summer’s tournament represents a culmination of years of progress, yet Connor stresses the journey is far from over: “This summer’s World Cup is not the peak of the mountain. It’s still another catalyst to care more and do more and build more.” Read Full Profile
03
Juhi Chawla
Co-owner | Knight Riders Sports
Owning an IPL franchise is one thing. Using it as a platform to influence how sport approaches environmental responsibility is something else entirely. Juhi Chawla has done both. As co-owner of the Kolkata Knight Riders alongside Shah Rukh Khan and her husband Jay Mehta, Chawla has helped build one of world cricket’s most valuable and recognisable franchises while demonstrating that success off the field can be measured by more than trophies and commercial growth. Read Full Profile
03
Preity G Zinta
Co-owner | Punjab Kings
When the Indian Premier League launched in 2008, it was still an experiment. The tournament needed more than great cricketers; it needed attention, credibility and mainstream appeal. Few people embodied that crossover better than Preity Zinta. Alongside Shah Rukh Khan and a handful of other celebrity owners, she helped transform the IPL into a cultural phenomenon, lending one of the world’s most ambitious sporting ventures the star power that accelerated its rise. Nearly two decades later, while many celebrity associations have faded into the background, Zinta remains deeply involved in the boardroom and on match days, helping guide Punjab Kings through one of cricket’s most dramatic periods of commercial growth. Read Full Profile
05
Kavya Maran
CEO & Co-owner | SunRisers Hyderabad
Kavya Maran is at the center of the Sun Group’s global cricket operations, overseeing franchises in India, South Africa, and England. As CEO and Co-owner of Sunrisers Hyderabad, she is deeply involved in all aspects of team management, including strategy, player acquisitions, and hands-on participation at the IPL auction table. Her approach balances long-term planning with on-the-ground decision-making, ensuring the team remains competitive year after year. Read Full Profile
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