The online video made by Nike features 10 Indian sportswomen, as well as actress Deepika Padukone, who has spoken out against gender inequality.
In a widely shared Facebook post, she spoke of how sport helped in her struggle with depression.
Women's sport draws few Indian crowds or sponsors and gets little coverage.
Some of the Indian sportswomen featured in the ad include hockey player Rani Rampal, cricketers Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandana and Shubhlakshi Sharma, and footballer Jyoti Ann Burrett.
But many people felt they were unable to name many of the sportswomen featured.
The advertisement is set to a track titled 'Da Da Ding' by Genera8ion, featuring American rapper Gizzle, which works as a wake up call for the athletes.
The work encourages women to break conventions and define their own success through sport.
The advertisement is shown below: