Cricket is one of the most popular games after soccer & cricket players worldwide earn a handsome amount of money like football or golf players as well. In a survey, we have found that BCCI, which is the national cricket board of India, invests most in cricket in comparison to other nations. The emergence of T20 cricket, especially the Indian Premier League (IPL), played a massive role in widening the monetary horizons of the game. This tournament has seen broadcasting, advertising and ticket sales revenues of the highest order and financial experts suggest it will only get bigger in the coming years. That can only mean one thing, that these cricketers will be having many more opportunities to increase their net worth and be very much in the top half of the highest-paid athlete's list.
Here’s a look at the richest cricketers in the world.
1. Sachin Tendulkar
The God of cricket, the greatest batsman of the era, Sachin Tendulkar is the richest cricketer in the world with a net worth of 1,296 crores ( $170 million). One of the most notable cricketers in the world, Tendulkar was the first cricketer to establish an INR 100 crore deal after he was appointed brand ambassador of MRF. Besides MRF, the former Indian opener was also the face of many brands like BMW, Adidas, Pepsi Co, Castrol, Paytm and many more. He was the most marketable cricketer of the 90s and that kept earning him plenty of brand endorsements.
Also Read | Sachin Tendulkar Net Worth
2. MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni is the former Indian captain and the only captain who won all three ICC trophies – the t20 world cup, ICC champions trophy and ICC cricket world cup. MS Dhoni was a true successor of Sachin Tendulkar’s marketable image, who emerged as the biggest face for brand endorsements a few years into his emergence in international cricket. Amongst many noteworthy companies endorsed by MS Dhoni, he has had a long-standing relationship with Reebok. He is the brand ambassador of Orient, Indigo Paints, RedBus, Bharat Matrimony, GoDaddy, SRMB Steel, Oreo, Dream11, Gulf Oil India, TVS Motors, Lays, Colgate and a few other companies. He also owns an ISL team (Chennaiyin FC) and a fashion label named “Se7en”.
Also Read | MS Dhoni Net Worth
3. Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli is undoubtedly one of the best batsmen of the generation. He also has won the ICC player of the decade award. Former India skipper Virat Kohli might be the most popular cricketer in the world and has achieved stardom in the highest order in a short period. He has a net worth of Rs 701 crore ($92 million). Virat Kohli, besides being one of the finest cricketers in the world, established himself as a strong commercial brand over the years. He is the brand ambassador of various noteworthy brands like Audi, Google, Manyavar, Hero moto corp, Colgate, Puma, and Myntra, besides which he has his fashion brands Wrogn and one8. He is the only cricketer to be included in Forbes's highest-paid athlete's list among active players.
Also Read | Virat Kohli Net Worth
4. Ricky Ponting
During his heydays, The former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting was one of the finest cricketers in the world and amassed great wealth in the process. His incredible reputation in the game of cricket earned him multiple sponsorship deals with international brands like Adidas, Rexona, Kookaburra Bats and Pura Milk. He has a net worth of Rs 533 crore ($70 million), earning him the fourth spot in the list of the top 10 richest cricketers. This comes as no surprise looking at the tremendous success he has had with the Australian cricket team and the image he garnered in world cricket.
5. Brian Lara
Former West Indies captain Brian Lara continues to be one of the biggest names in international cricket, and still endorses many brands. He has a net worth of Rs 457 crore, making him the 5th richest cricketer in the world. Brian Lara had an international cricket career that spanned 17 years and amassed over 10,000 runs in both formats. That popularity got him a sponsorship deal with MRF tires among various other brand endorsements.
6. Shane Warne
One of the greatest leg-spin bowlers ever to grace the game. His untimely demise gave the world a retrospective visual of how big a personality Shane Warne was, and the Australian legend is right up there among the richest cricketers in the world. His net worth accounted for $50 million (INR 381 crore) and endorsed brands like Pepsi, McDonald’s, and Victoria Bitter among many other notable names. He also worked as a commentator after completing his cricket career with various networks. He passed away at the age of 52 during a vacation in Thailand.
7. Jacques Kallis
Easily one of the best all-rounders the game has seen, Jacques Kallis is hailed as the greatest Proteas cricketer of all time. He is ranked 7th in the list of the top 10 richest cricketers in the world with a net worth of $48 million (Rs 365 crore). Kallis is the only cricket player to have recorded 10,000 runs and 250 wickets in Tests and ODIs and he was the highest-paid cricketer among South Africans until AB de Villiers entered the fray.
8. Virender Sehwag
Very few players in cricket history can match the explosiveness of Virender Sehwag. Sehwag was the first Indian cricketer to score a triple century in a Test match and is the only batsman to have scored a triple century in Test matches and a double century in ODIs for India. He is The Nawab of Najafgarh. Virender Sehwag was one of the most popular names in the country and hence, finds himself high up on the list of the richest cricketers in the world. His net worth sums up to $40 million (Rs 304 crore).
9. Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh, the player of the tournament in ICC World Cup 2011, is one of the finest all-rounders in ODI cricket and turned into a national icon having overcome so many adversities to be at the top. Yuvraj Singh has a net worth of $35 million (Rs 266 crore) and has owned various brand endorsements with notable names like Pepsi, Reebok, Cadbury, Royal Mega Stag, and Benz and Laureus. He is also hailed as one of the best cricketers in ODIs among Indians after Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli.
Also Read | Yuvraj Singh Net Worth
10. Shane Watson
Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson made his name after playing a crucial role in Australia’s World Cup success in 2007 and Rajasthan Royals’ IPL success in 2008. The right-handed batsman quickly became one of the best cricketers for brand endorsements. Shane Watson has a net worth of $30 million and is a household name in the IPL, having won the trophy with Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings. Some of his brand endorsements include Gunn & Moore, TAG Heuer, Asics, Golden Circle, and American Express among others. He is currently working as the assistant coach of the Delhi capitals.
Also Read | Salaries of Cricketers from around the world
