Cricket isn’t just a sport in India; it’s a religion that captivates millions of hearts across the nation.
As the game has evolved, so has the financial landscape for its top players.
The year 2024 brings us an intriguing look at the “top 10 richest Indian cricketers in India 2024 and net worth revealed.”
These cricketing icons have not only left an indelible mark on the field but have also amassed significant wealth through their sporting prowess, endorsements, and business ventures.
From legendary batsmen to charismatic captains, this list showcases the cream of Indian cricket.
These players have dominated headlines, broken records, and become household names.
Their financial success reflects not only their cricketing achievements but also their marketability and business acumen off the field.
As we delve into this list, we’ll explore the factors that have contributed to their impressive fortunes.
From lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) contracts to multi-million dollar brand endorsements, these cricketers have diversified their income streams far beyond their match fees.
Top 10 Richest Indian Cricketers in India 2024
Their wealth is a testament to cricket’s enormous popularity in India and its power to create not just sporting heroes, but also financial success stories.
Top 10 Richest Indian Cricketers: A Guide to Their Net Worths
1. Rohit Sharma
Career Highlights:
- Known for perfect timing in shots
- World record of 264 runs in ODIs
- Most double centuries in ODIs (three)
- Most centuries in T20 internationals (five)
- Successful captain of Mumbai Indians in IPL
- Led India to the ICC Cricket World Cup final
Net Worth: $80 million (about 664 crore rupees)
Income Sources:
- BCCI salary: 7 crore rupees
- IPL salary: 16 crore rupees
- Brand endorsements: Hublot, CEAT, Adidas
Business Ventures:
- Own sports equipment brand: Rohit Sharma’s Cricket Gear
- Rohit Sharma Foundation: Helps poor children, supports education and healthcare
Lifestyle:
- Lives in luxury homes
- Enjoys fancy vacations
- Drives expensive cars
Rohit Sharma’s success on and off the field makes him a role model for young cricketers. His mix of cricket skills and smart business choices have made him very wealthy.
2. MS Dhoni
Career Highlights:
- Legendary captain and wicketkeeper
- Led India to two World Cup wins (2011 Cricket World Cup, 2013 Champions Trophy)
- Known as ‘Captain Cool’ for staying calm under pressure
- Won many awards: ICC ODI Player of the Year, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Padma Shri
Net Worth: $150 million (about 1,245 crore rupees)
Income Sources:
- Cricket earnings over 20+ years
- IPL contracts
- Brand endorsements: GoDaddy, Reebok, Spartan Sports, Indigo Paint, Orient PSPO, Amity University, Boost
Business Ventures:
- Owns part of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) IPL team
- Invested in agriculture and real estate
- Owns a production company: Dhoni Entertainment Pvt Ltd
Lifestyle:
- Lives simply but owns:
- Collection of vintage motorcycles
- Luxury cars
- Peaceful farmhouse in Ranchi
Dhoni’s smart investments and continued popularity even after retirement show he’s as good with money as he was with cricket.
3. Virat Kohli
Career Highlights:
- Dominated cricket for the past decade
- Most centuries in ODI cricket (50)
- Second-highest centuries in international cricket (80)
- Most wins in Test Cricket as captain (40 out of 68 matches)
- Led India to first Border-Gavaskar trophy win in Australia (2018-19)
Net Worth: $122 Million (about 1,012 crore rupees)
Income Sources:
- BCCI salary: 7 crore rupees
- IPL salary: 15 crore rupees
- Brand endorsements: MRF Tyres, Star Sports, Puma, Uber, Audi
Business Ventures:
- Own clothing line: Wrogn
- Investments in startups like Stepathlon Kids
- Investor in Rage Coffee
Lifestyle:
- Focuses on fitness and performance
- One of India’s most influential personalities
Virat Kohli’s success in cricket and business makes him a top earner and a powerful influencer in India.
4. KL Rahul
Career Highlights:
- Versatile batsman and wicketkeeper
- Highest score by an Indian in IPL: 132 off 69 balls (2020)
- Record for most runs by a captain in IPL
- Currently captains Lucknow SuperGiants in IPL
Net Worth: $40 million (about 332 crore rupees)
Income Sources:
- BCCI salary: 5 crore rupees
- IPL salary: 17 crore rupees
- Brand endorsements: Puma, Curefit, Kookaburra, BoAt
Business Ventures:
- Investments in wellness and health businesses
- Real estate interests
- Tech startup investments
Lifestyle:
- Promotes healthy living and regular workouts
- Supports young cricket talent through academies and coaching
KL Rahul’s diverse income sources and smart investments show he’s planning well for his future beyond cricket.
5. Hardik Pandya
Career Highlights:
- Rare fast-bowling all-rounder
- Led Gujarat Titans to IPL victory in his first year as captain (2022)
- Transferred to Mumbai Indians for 15 crore rupees in IPL 2024
Net Worth: $50 million (about 415 crore rupees)
Income Sources:
- BCCI salary: 5 crore rupees
- IPL salary: 15 crore rupees
- Brand endorsements: Gulf Oil, Eros Now, Gillette
Business Ventures:
- Invested in D2C Startup Yu
Lifestyle:
- Known for flashy fashion
- Enjoys luxury cars and exotic vacations
Hardik Pandya’s all-around skills on the field are matched by his diverse income streams.
6. Sachin Tendulkar
Career Highlights:
- Known as the “God of Cricket”
- Played for India for over 20 years
- Record 100 centuries in international cricket
- Numerous awards: Bharat Ratna, Wisden/ICC Cricketer of the Year, Padma Vibhushan
Net Worth: $200 million (about 1,660 crore rupees)
Income Sources:
- Earnings from 20+ years of international cricket
- Brand endorsements: Britannia, Boost, Fiat Palio, Canon, Sunfeast, Castrol India, Philips
Business Ventures:
- Strategic investments in companies like Azad Engineering and RRP S4E
Lifestyle:
- Lives modestly despite the immense wealth
- Focuses on family and cricket legacy
Even years after retirement, Sachin Tendulkar remains one of the wealthiest cricketers, showing the lasting power of his brand.
7. Jasprit Bumrah
Career Highlights:
- One of India’s best fast bowlers
- Fastest Indian pacer to take 150 wickets in Test cricket
- Second-fastest Indian to 100 wickets in ODIs
- The only bowler to top ICC rankings in all three game formats
- A key player in Mumbai Indians’ five IPL title wins
Net Worth: $35 million (about 291 crore rupees)
Income Sources:
- Match fees from international cricket
- IPL contracts
- Brand endorsements: boAt, Seagram, Cultsport
Lifestyle:
- Keeps personal life private
- Focuses on fitness and improving cricket skills
Jasprit Bumrah’s rapid rise in cricket is reflected in his growing net worth, making him one of the top earners among current players.
8. Ravindra Jadeja
Career Highlights:
- Nicknamed “Sir Jadeja” by fans
- Exceptional spin bowler and lower-order batsman
- Known for excellent fielding skills
- Part of three IPL title wins with Chennai Super Kings
Net Worth: $40 million (about 332 crore rupees)
Income Sources:
- BCCI salary: 7 crore rupees
- IPL salary: 16 crore rupees
- Brand endorsements: HIL Limited, Adidas, Castrol
Lifestyle:
- Live simply, love nature and wildlife
- Supports rural development and sports infrastructure in his hometown
Ravindra Jadeja’s all-around skills on the field are matched by his diverse income sources and grounded lifestyle.
9. Shubman Gill
Career Highlights:
- Youngest player to score an ODI double century
- Fastest to score 2000 runs in ODIs (38 innings)
- Highest T20I score for an Indian batsman (126 not out)
- Part of Gujarat Titans’ IPL-winning team in 2022
- Scored 890 runs with three centuries in IPL 2023
Net Worth: $15 million (about 125 crore rupees)
Income Sources:
- BCCI Salary: 5 crore rupees
- IPL salary: 8 crore rupees
- Brand endorsements: Tata Capital, ITC Exchange, beatXP, BharatPe
Lifestyle:
- Focused on cricket development
- Beginning to explore investment opportunities
As a young rising star, Shubman Gill’s net worth is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.
10. Rishabh Pant
Career Highlights:
- Dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman
- Five test centuries in 33 matches
- Highest score by an Indian in IPL (128 runs from 63 balls)
- Named captain of Delhi Capitals for IPL 2024
Net Worth: $25 Million (about 208 crore rupees)
Income Sources:
- BCCI Salary: 3 crore rupees
- IPL Salary: 16 crore rupees
- Brand endorsements: SG, JSW Sports, Adidas
Lifestyle:
- Balances cricket, family, and personal interests
- Enjoys perks of being a professional cricketer
Rishabh Pant’s exciting playing style and growing fame have quickly boosted his earnings, making him one of the richest young cricketers in India.
Analysis & Trends
The world of Indian cricket has changed a lot over the years. Let’s look at some interesting trends:
- Big jump in earnings: In 1983, cricketers got only 200-1500 rupees per match. Now, top players earn 1-7 crore rupees per year from BCCI alone!
- IPL changed everything: Starting in 2008, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is now one of the most-watched sports leagues in the world. Each IPL game is worth over 15 million dollars!
- More than just playing: Today’s cricketers earn from many sources:
- Match fees
- BCCI contracts
- IPL contracts
- Brand endorsements
- Personal businesses
- TV rights are big money: Companies pay huge amounts to show cricket on TV. This money helps pay players and grow the sport.
- Young players earning fast: Newer players like Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant are already among the richest, showing how quickly cricket careers can bring wealth now.
- Smart investments: Many cricketers are thinking beyond their playing days. They’re investing in businesses, startups, and real estate to keep growing their wealth.
- Brand value matters: A player’s popularity off the field can be as important as their performance on it. More popular players get more endorsement deals.
- Diverse income sources: The richest cricketers don’t rely just on cricket earnings. They have multiple income streams from various businesses and investments.
These trends show that cricket in India is not just a sport, but a big business. Players who understand this and plan well can become very wealthy.
Economic Impact of Cricket in India
Cricket isn’t just a game in India – it’s a big part of the economy too! Let’s break down how cricket affects India’s money matters:
- IPL – A Money-Making Machine:
- Creates jobs in many fields: sports, media, hospitality
- Brings in lots of money from ads, tickets, and TV rights
- Helps grow local businesses where matches are played
- Advertising Goldmine:
- Big companies love to advertise during cricket matches
- Cricket stars are popular choices for product ads
- This helps many businesses grow and reach more people
- Building for Cricket:
- New stadiums and training centers create jobs
- These buildings also help develop local areas
- Maintenance of these places provides ongoing work
- Tourism Boost:
- Big cricket events bring fans from all over the world
- This helps hotels, restaurants, and travel businesses
- Showcases Indian cities to international visitors
- Global Image of India:
- Success in cricket makes India look good globally
- This can help attract more business and investment to India
- Creates a sense of pride among Indians
- Job Creation:
- Not just for players, but also coaches, trainers, managers
- Media jobs: commentators, journalists, cameramen
- Tech jobs: for apps, websites, and online streaming
- Technology and Innovation:
- Drives development of sports tech and analytics
- Encourages innovation in broadcasting and viewer experience
- Helps grow India’s tech industry
- Merchandise and Retail:
- Sales of jerseys, equipment, and team merchandise
- Boosts the retail sector, especially during big tournaments
- Entertainment Industry Crossover:
- Cricket stars often appear in movies, TV shows
- This helps grow both sports and entertainment industries
- Charitable and Social Impacts:
- Many cricketers start foundations or support causes
- This helps address social issues and development needs
Cricket’s impact on India’s economy is huge and growing. It’s not just about the money made directly from the sport, but how it touches so many other parts of life and business in India.
Conclusion:
As we’ve seen, cricket in India is much more than just a sport. It’s a pathway to fame and fortune for talented players and a major force in the country’s economy. Let’s recap what we’ve learned:
- Top earners: Players like Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, and Virat Kohli have net worths in the hundreds of millions of dollars, showing just how lucrative cricket can be.
- Diverse income: The richest cricketers don’t just rely on match fees. They earn from IPL contracts, brand endorsements, and smart investments.
- IPL’s impact: The Indian Premier League has changed the game, creating new opportunities for players to earn big money.
- Beyond cricket: Many players are thinking long-term, starting businesses, and making investments to secure their financial future.
- Economic powerhouse: Cricket contributes significantly to India’s economy, creating jobs, boosting tourism, and driving innovation.
- Cultural icon: Cricket stars are more than athletes in India – they’re national heroes and influential figures.
- Changing landscape: Younger players are earning more, and faster, showing how the sport continues to evolve.
- Global reach: India’s cricketing success enhances its global image, potentially attracting more international business and investment.
The story of cricket and wealth in India is still being written. As the sport continues to grow and change, it will be exciting to see how it shapes the careers of future players and impacts India’s economy in the years to come.
For fans, this means the joy of cricket extends beyond the boundary rope. It’s a source of national pride, economic growth, and inspiration for millions.
Whether you’re a die-hard cricket fan or just curious about the sport’s impact, understanding the financial side of cricket gives you a fuller picture of its importance in India.
As cricket continues to evolve, one thing is clear: in India, it’s not just a game – it’s a phenomenon that touches almost every aspect of life and society.
Also Check: