In nations like India, Australia & the West Indies cricket transcends being just a sport and players are treated as iconic legends with financial successes commensurate with their on-field achievements. Record Contracts, global sponsorships and entrepreneurial interests aside; cricket has in its elite built empires that far outweigh the boundaries of the field. We break down in detail the top 10 richest cricketers in the world by their net worth and revenue streams.
Sachin Tendulkar(India): $170 million (1370 Crores Rs)
As the wealthiest cricketer in the world, Sachin Tendulkar is widely regarded as the “God of cricket” and has a net worth of $170 million (1370 crores Rs). He makes money from a 24-year career which also includes 100 International Century + the post-retirement stuff\ co-owner of Indiplorus football team Kerala Blasters and endorsing brands like Pepsi, Adidas MRF etc. In 1995, a 30 million world tel endorsement deal was the baseline for athletes branding in India. He will etch more money into history with his stakes in start-ups and media houses.
MS Dhoni(India): $111 million (966 Crores Rs)
MS Dhoni’s net worth is listed at $111 million(₹966 crores) simply Known as “Captain Cool” Beyond his match-winning captaincy with India in the finals and for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Dhoni earned ₹12 crore from IPL and also has stakes in CSK football team, Chennaiyin FC. ₹30 crores M.S. Dhoni biopic and cash endorsements with Reebok, Dream11, and Gulf Oil helped a lot. Dhoni has poured his investments into startups like Cars24 and Garuda Aerospace as a post-retirement businessman.
Virat Kohli(India): $92 million (800 Crores Rs)
$92 million (₹800 crores), Net Worth of Virat Kohli, the batting maestro of modern-day India. He earns an IPL salary of ₹15 crores with Royal Challengers Bangalore as per the BCCI A+ contract worth ₹7 crores per annum, with Puma/Audi/MRF endorsements earning him around ₹8–10 crores each. These days he owns half the football team FC Goa, started athleisure brands One8 and Wrogn and has been in a swarm of startups like Blue Tribe Foods & Sport Convo. The ₹9 crore a post on Instagram, that he can bank from his social media influence adds hundreds of thousands to his take yearly.
Ricky Ponting(Australia): $70 million ((609 Crores Rs)
The richest non-Indian cricketer: Australian legend Ricky Ponting Net Worth $70 million (₹609 crores.) His coaching (Delhi Capitals) and commentary earnings secure his income along with three World Cup wins as captain. Portfolio: Ponting Wines (the wine label), Kookaburra and Adi endorsements reflect the diverse out-of-cricket portfolio of Ponting. Investments in Australian real estate and Seven Network media roles add to his wealth further.
Brian Lara(West Indies): $60 million (522 Crores Rs)
The “Prince of Trinidad” Brian Lara brought Test batting to new heights with his infamous 400*(not out). $60 million (Rupees 504 crores) worth of historic match fees, T20 league appearance money and advertisements like MRF Tyres are what give him a net worth of $ 60 million. After his retirement, Lara turned to golf course architecture and real estate while his production company in association with charity works through the Pearl and Bunty Lara Foundation played its role as part of his financial footprint.
Shane Warne(Australia): $50 million (435 Crores Rs)
Shane Warne’s Legacy Keeps Making over $50 Million (₹435 Crores) in Brand deals, media rights, and investments even after his surprising death in 2022. King of spin gained notoriety with 708 Test wickets, and captaincy of the Rajasthan Royals to their three IPL victories. In poker and commentary work, Mr Warne Foundation taps revenue while Nike & Advanced Hair Studio endorsement still pays off.
Jacques Kallis(South Africa): $48 million (417 Crores Rs)
$48 million net worth ( Rs.417 crores) — one of the best all-rounders in cricket history, Jacques Kallis Post-retirement, he would do coaching gigs for Kolkata Knight Riders and endorse Slazenger. His income also comes from investments in cricket academies and South African property, to which he added an international tally of 25,534 runs — immortality.
Virender Sehwag(India): $40 million (348 Crores Rs)
$40 million (Rs 348 crores) as Virender Sehwag played fearless at the crease. After retirement, he is now living off the proceeds of commentary, Sehwag International School Hero Honda and Boost endorsements. His media business ventures eg. have been captioned and viral on Twitter and YouTube proving his dexterity outside cricket.
Shane Watson(Australia): $40 million (348 Crores Rs)
Australian all-rounder Shane Watson being valued at $40 million with a cricketing net worth is probably the most consistent and adaptable one you have in all formats. Watson played heavily in international competitions and domestic competitions, both as a player with the bat and ball.
He has exponentially increased his earnings from lucrative IPL and other franchise cricket contracts (captain of Rajasthan Royals), endorsements, commentary and analysis post-retirement. The broader off-field wealth has increased significantly for Watson, thanks to the versatility he has been able to leverage on and off the field right through to old age.
Yuvraj Singh(India): $35 million (304 Crores Rs)
The net worth of 2011 World Cup hero Yuvraj Singh is $33.25 million (₹266 crore) in Yorker His post-cancer journey was endorsed by Puma and LG, he also has his own YouWeCan foundation for cancer patients. His portfolio includes tech startup investments and clothing line YWC which broaden his revenue to the same degree as being a professional.
