The Indian Premier League (IPL) has never been just about sixes, wickets, and nail-biting finishes. Over the years, the presence of female anchors has added glamour, insight, and charisma to the cricketing carnival. These anchors connect fans with the sport by blending knowledge, charm, and energy on screen. Let’s look at the top 10 women who have graced the IPL.
Note: Champion Peoples is not affiliated with any of the anchors listed below
Mayanti Langer
Mayanti Langer remains the face of Indian sports broadcasting. With her confident hosting style, she has become synonymous with cricket coverage. She anchored IPL 2018 and 2019, winning praise for her clarity and quick wit.
- Experience: Over a decade in sports presenting.
- Other Highlights: Hosted FIFA World Cup 2010, Commonwealth Games 2010, and ICC World Cups.
- Impact: She broke stereotypes, proving that women can lead cricket discussions with equal authority.
Karishma Kotak
A British-Indian model turned anchor, she made her IPL debut in Season 6 (2013), co-hosting Extraaa Innings T20. Bringing grace and poise to the set, her composed commentary paired with trendy style won viewer appreciation.
- Background: A British-Indian model and actress.
- Contribution: Co-hosted Extraaa Innings T20 alongside cricket experts.
- USP: Her calm, composed style appealed to fans, and she balanced entertainment with cricket talk.
Archana Vijaya
Serving as an IPL anchor from 2011 onward, she transitioned from modeling to television with ease. Her interviews and backstage segments offered fans an engaging window into the game. With natural charisma, she made every anchor appearance genuinely lively.
- IPL Role: Interviewed players, covered behind-the-scenes segments, and hosted multiple seasons.
- Strength: She combined her vibrant personality with a natural ability to engage with cricketers, making interviews lively.
Pallavi Sharda
This Australia-born Bollywood actress joined IPL coverage in 2016, bringing her cross-cultural edge to the stage. She skillfully balanced Hindi and English, adding international flavor and inclusivity to the broadcast.
- Background: Actress known for roles in Besharam and Lion.
- IPL Presence: Added international flavor with her bilingual hosting style.
- Strength: Her cultural blend appealed to both Indian and overseas fans.
Mandira Bedi
Often called a trailblazer for female cricket anchors, she hosted IPL on Sony Max’s early editions. Her bold entry into a male-dominated field paved the way for many women. For her, anchoring was about breaking norms and owning the microphone
- Trailblazer: Faced criticism initially but paved the way for more women in sports media.
- Other Work: Anchored ICC tournaments and became a household name for cricket fans.
- Strength: She used her screen presence and confidence to challenge male-dominated sports broadcasting.
Rochelle Maria Rao
As IPL’s presenter in 2013, she carried the grace of a Femina Miss India International onto the cricket stage. With a vibrant style and presence, she elevated pre- and post-match coverage. Her warmth and quick wit resonated with fans.
- Background: Crowned Femina Miss India International 2012.
- IPL Role: Anchored pre-match and post-match shows.
- Beyond IPL: Worked in television reality shows and hosted lifestyle programs.
- Strength: Her warm personality and lively presentation made her a fan favorite.
Shibani Dandekar
Making an IPL mark from 2011 to 2015, she came to India after anchoring U.S. shows. Her energy and spontaneity on Extraaa Innings T20 added fun and freshness. Many remember her for winning the Youth-focused audience with lively hosting and humor
- Career Start: Worked in the US before moving to India.
- IPL Hosting: Part of Extraaa Innings T20, where she interacted with players and fans.
- Strength: Known for her spontaneous humor and energetic style, which connected well with the youth audience.
Lekha Washington
Lekha Washington features in the IPL anchors list for her confidence and charisma. Born in Madras, Tamil Nadu, she later worked in numerous Tamil and Telugu films. Hosting the very first IPL season added to her popularity. According to her Wikipedia profile, her father has a mixed heritage of Burmese, Italian, and Punjabi roots, while her mother hails from Maharashtra.
- Background: Actress and product designer with mixed Indian roots.
- IPL Experience: Though new to cricket at the time, she quickly adapted and engaged viewers.
- Strength: Her lively and curious approach added a fresh perspective to the coverage.
Sanjana Ganesan
Joining IPL presentations in 2024, she previously gained attention during the 2019 Cricket World Cup. She earned respect for combining technical insight with approachable hosting—the perfect mix for today’s cricket fan.
- Background: Former Miss India finalist and sports presenter.
- IPL Contribution: Known for insightful pre-match discussions and balanced hosting.
- Strength: Combines charm with technical cricket knowledge, winning credibility from fans.
Shonali Nagrani
After winning Femina Miss India International in 2003, she became a regular face of Extraaa Innings T20, anchoring IPL for four seasons starting in 2011. Viewers appreciate her calm professionalism and articulate game presentations
- Achievements: Won Femina Miss India International 2003 before entering TV.
- IPL Hosting: Anchored Extraaa Innings T20 and four IPL seasons.
- Strength: Her professionalism and ability to carry cricket shows with poise made her a trusted host.
From Mandira Bedi’s pioneering start to Sanjana Ganesan’s modern touch, these women have added grace, knowledge, and entertainment to the Indian Premier League. They prove that anchoring in cricket is not just about style but also about substance, insight, and audience connection.
