The Indian women cricketers are finally getting some endorsements and media attention, with the latest one being Hyundai Motor India signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the four players from the Indian women’s cricket team. The car-maker has entered in a one-year exclusive partnership with the four female cricketers as brand ambassadors. Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Taniya Bhatia and Shafali Verma are the four Indian women cricketers to have signed the MoU at Hyundai Motor India’s headquarters in Gurugram on December 15.
The car-maker, through this association with the women cricketers, hopes to highlight the incredible contributions made by the Indian women cricketers as well as celebrate women power in order to inspire other female athletes in the country.
“The grit & spirit shown by these sports women will become a role model for the entire nation. We are proud to announce them as Brand Ambassadors for taking the Hyundai spirit forward,” said Seon Seob Kim, MD and CEO, Hyundai Motor India.
Apart from signing the MoU with Mandhana, Rodrigues, Bhatia, and Verma, Hyundai Motor India launched the ‘The Drive Within’ campaign to encourage ‘the drive within’ among the female sportspersons. Under the umbrella of ‘The Drive Within’, the company aims to make use of digital films to bring forth the winning stories and other achievements of these women cricketers.
Hyundai is celebrating the spirit of Indian women cricketers setting new benchmarks and inspiring millions with ‘The Drive Within’ campaign.
Congratulations @HyundaiIndia , great choice for your brand ambassadors 😃🙌 pic.twitter.com/Yv9pKDAL10
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) December 16, 2021
These four women cricketers have undoubtedly made a mark for themselves in the world of cricket. Mandhana is a left-hand opening bat. She is also the vice-captain of India’s T20I side. Rodrigues, is a right-hand top order bat and is one of the few players to play global leagues like the Hundred and WBBL (Women’s Big Bash League). Verma, just like Rodrigues and Mandhana, has featured in the Hundred and WBBL. The right-hand opening bat is the youngest cricketer to play all three cricket formats. Bhatia, on the other hand, is one of the safest houses behind the stumps. She is a wicket-keeper and more than a handy middle order bat.
Hyundai Motor India, though has had a long standing association with many sports in India, in its first, the car-maker will look to partner with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as an associate sponsor for all international matches that will be hosted by India.
I am a former cricketer having represented Mumbai University at All India University level. I was a part of MCA probables for the U-19 and U-23 age group. I have been an avid cricket writer for the last five years. Currently I am pursuing my Ph.D from IIT Bombay.