IPL: Women on top!

So, it’s that time of the year again. With India done with their International season, it’s time for the disappointments to take the back seat and unleash the unique combo pack of Bollywood and Cricket to woo their fans back.

Don’t worry, here we are not going to discuss the ill effects of IPL, instead, we would venture into an avenue that is both interesting and easy on the eye. And no, we are not talking about the cheerleaders either!

The biggest achievement of the IPL has been that it has put cricket from the drawing room to the kitchen of every household in India. Where most purist(and hypocrite!) male supporters despise IPL, shouting their lungs out about how it is a curse, the women certainly have taken a liking towards it.

Most women (Surprisingly, there are quite a few who follow test matches religiously) prefer the IPL over tests and ODI’s because of various reasons – the short duration, the slap bang hitting and of course, Shah Rukh Khan.

Apart from women supporters, IPL has upheld a host of women bosses, who not only boost the Oomph factor of the league, also take their cricket very seriously.

Nita Ambani

The owner of Mumbai Indians. Pre IPL era, Mrs. Ambani’s smiling face was only seen by the side of Mr. Mukesh Ambani gracing gala events or magazine covers. But the post IPL, Nita Bhabi has become the face and the driving force of the Mumbai Franchise. With all the players, including Sachin Tendulkar, showering praise on her skills of team bonding, no wonder she has sent Mukesh Ambani into the stands!

Priety Zinta

The bubbly actress and the co – owner of the Punjab franchise was more of a cheerleader in the first few editions, jumping all over the dug out and on her players! But as the IPL has progressed into its fifth season and with Punjab not doing well, Miss Zinta looks a lot more serious about her team’s success rather than just upping the glamour quotient.

Shilpa Shetty

Part owner of the Rajasthan Royals, Shilpa Shetty is yet to get into the mould of a Nita Ambani or a Priety Zinta. Though her team stunned the IPL fraternity by winning the inaugural edition, the smiling actress has featured in music videos of the team and attended press conferences to answer questions with her giggles.

With Shane Warne in charge for the last four years, she had precious little say about the team but now with Rahul Dravid at helm, Mrs. Kundra might do a little bit more for her franchise.

Juhi Chawla

The most dormant of all the ladies in the list. Though she is the co owner of the most talked about franchise, she has often stayed in the background and leaving the limelight to the charismatic Shah Rukh Khan. But with Kolkata failing to make the top four finish in the previous editions, she might well be advised to take a little bit more interest in her team!

Gayatri Reddy

The daughter of Deccan Chronicle Chief T. Venkattaram Reddy, Gayatri Reddy is the lastest of the women bosses in the IPL. She made her appearance prominant in the last edition and called the shots at the auctions this season. With Deccan Chargers not managing to put up a great squad, this young owner has to put in much more to see her team for a top four finish.