Whenever we talk about the IPL, the first names that come to mind are Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma. We talk about their performances, records, and big moments on the field.
But have you ever noticed who the camera shows when a team wins a match or loses an important wicket? Quite often, it is Kavya Maran, Preity Zinta, or Nita Ambani sitting in the stands, watching every ball closely.
Some of these women have become familiar faces among cricket fans. Their reactions during matches often go viral on social media, and people are curious to know more about them.
But there is more to their stories than what we see on television. Many of these women are connected to the business side of the IPL, and some have been associated with their teams for years.
So, let’s take a closer look at five women who are closely linked to some of the biggest IPL teams, including the woman who seems to attract the most attention online: Kavya Maran.
Kavya Maran: Why Is She So Popular Among Cricket Fans?
If you follow IPL matches or cricket-related posts on social media, chances are you have seen Kavya Maran’s face.
Kavya is the CEO of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and is widely described as a co-owner of the franchise. She is the daughter of Kalanithi Maran, the chairman of the Sun Group, a major media company in India.
She became the CEO of Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2018. Since then, she has regularly attended matches and player auctions, where teams compete to sign players for the upcoming season.
What makes her so popular is that the cameras often capture her reactions during matches. When SRH win, fans notice her happiness. When things don’t go well for the team, her expressions become a talking point.
These moments quickly find their way onto Instagram, X and other social media platforms. Some fans enjoy watching her reactions, while others are interested in the decisions made by the team during auctions.
However, Kavya’s role is not limited to sitting in the stands. She is involved in the franchise’s leadership and is a familiar presence during player auctions.
For many fans, she has become one of the most recognisable faces associated with the IPL. Her popularity also shows how much interest people have in the people running their favourite teams.
Nita Ambani: The Woman Associated With Mumbai Indians
Nita Ambani has been one of the best-known faces of Mumbai Indians for years.
The franchise is part of the Reliance group, led by Mukesh Ambani, and Nita has played a prominent public role in the team’s journey.
Mumbai Indians have won the IPL title five times: in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020. These victories have made the franchise one of the most successful teams in the tournament’s history.
Nita is often seen celebrating with the players and supporting the team during important matches. Over the years, she has become closely associated with the Mumbai Indians brand.
Her work also extends beyond the IPL. Through the Reliance Foundation, she has supported sports development and initiatives aimed at encouraging young people to take part in sports.
Mumbai Indians have also expanded beyond the men’s IPL team, with a presence in the Women’s Premier League and overseas cricket competitions.
For fans, Nita Ambani is more than just a familiar face in the stands. She represents a franchise that has built a strong identity over many seasons.
Preity Zinta: A Familiar Face at Punjab Kings
Preity Zinta has been associated with the IPL since its early years. She is a co-owner of Punjab Kings, formerly known as Kings XI Punjab, and has been part of the franchise since 2008.
Unlike owners who rarely appear in public, Preity is often seen cheering for her team from the stands. Her excitement during matches and her presence at player auctions have made her popular among cricket fans.
Even after so many years, she continues to attract attention whenever Punjab Kings play an important match.
Preity is also one of the few Bollywood personalities who have remained visibly involved with an IPL franchise over such a long period.
Punjab Kings have had their share of ups and downs, but Preity has continued to support the team through different seasons.
Her journey is a reminder that being associated with a cricket team means standing by it through difficult seasons as well as successful ones.
Juhi Chawla: The Woman Behind Kolkata Knight Riders
When people talk about Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Shah Rukh Khan is usually the first name they mention. However, actress Juhi Chawla is also an important part of the franchise’s ownership.
Juhi co-owns KKR with Shah Rukh Khan and her husband, businessman Jay Mehta.
The team has built a large fan following over the years and has won the IPL title three times, in 2012, 2014 and 2024.
Juhi has been associated with the franchise since the beginning of the IPL. Although she may not receive as much online attention as some other team owners, she remains a familiar face among KKR supporters.
Her association with the team also reflects how Bollywood and cricket came together when the IPL first started in 2008.
For many fans, seeing the owners celebrate alongside the players has become a regular part of the tournament. And Juhi has been part of that story for a long time.
Ananya Birla: A New Name Connected With RCB
Royal Challengers Bengaluru has always had a huge fan following, but its ownership has also become a major talking point.
In 2026, a consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group acquired RCB in a deal widely reported to be worth around $1.78 billion, or approximately ₹16,700 crore.
Aryaman Birla was named chairman of the franchise under the new ownership structure. His sister, Ananya Birla, an entrepreneur and singer, has also attracted attention because of her association with the group.
Ananya is the daughter of industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla. She has built her own profile through business and music, so her connection with one of India’s most popular cricket teams has naturally attracted interest.
However, it is important to understand that being part of the ownership group does not automatically mean managing the team on a daily basis. Her precise responsibilities should be understood through official announcements rather than social media speculation.
RCB fans have a strong emotional connection with the franchise, especially after the men’s team won its first IPL title in 2025. Naturally, any major change involving the team gets people talking.
With new owners coming in, fans will be watching closely to see how the franchise develops in the coming years.
Five Women Associated With IPL Teams
Here is a quick look at the five women and their connections with the IPL.
| Name | IPL team | Association |
|---|---|---|
| Kavya Maran | Sunrisers Hyderabad | CEO; widely described as a co-owner |
| Nita Ambani | Mumbai Indians | Prominent representative of the ownership group |
| Preity Zinta | Punjab Kings | Co-owner since 2008 |
| Juhi Chawla | Kolkata Knight Riders | Co-owner |
| Ananya Birla | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Associated with the new ownership group |
Their responsibilities are not all the same. Some have clearly defined leadership roles, while others are better known for their involvement in the ownership group and their public association with the team.
What Makes These Women Important to the IPL?
The IPL is not just about cricket. It is also a major business involving sponsorships, broadcasting, player auctions and team management.
The people behind the franchises help shape their long-term plans, although the exact responsibilities differ from one team to another.
These women have also helped make the owners more familiar to ordinary fans. People who may not know much about a franchise’s business structure can still recognise the person who regularly appears on television during matches.
Social media has added to this interest. A few seconds of a reaction can turn into a widely shared clip, and fans often start searching for the person behind it.
At the same time, their journeys are quite different. Preity Zinta and Juhi Chawla have been associated with their teams since the IPL’s early days. Nita Ambani has become closely linked with Mumbai Indians, while Kavya Maran has built a strong public identity through her role at Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Ananya Birla represents a newer generation of business leaders connected with the league.
It is also worth remembering that these are not the only women contributing to cricket. Women work as commentators, journalists, administrators, coaches and players. Their contributions may not always receive the same attention, but they are an important part of the sport.