Meet The Athletes Featured In Deepika Padukone’s Nike Ad

Joshna Chinappa

Joshna Chinappa is a squash player, and quite an accomplished one at that. She reached a career-high world ranking of World No. 10 this month. She was the youngest Indian women’s national champion in squash and also the only Indian to win the British Squash Championship title in 2003. She even won the squash women’s doubles gold medal along with Dipika Pallikal. Another Indian women’s athlete who has shone for the country an won accolades with her performances.

Ishita Malaviya

Ishita is India’s first professional female surfer. Her ambition is to promote the vast Indian coastline as an international surfing destination. We couldn’t think of a better face than her for this task!

Nike isn’t her first sports fashion gig. She has been making waves for brands like Roxy and Quicksilver as well. Malaviya is already materialising her ambition. She has co-founded one of the country’s foremost surf schools, Shaka Surf Club, along with partner Tushar Pathiyan.