Discover the top 10 richest cricket players globally, their earnings, and how they built their fortune in the sport. Cricket is one of the most popular sports worldwide, and in India, it has a huge following. With 1.4 billion people in the country, it’s no surprise that cricket is so famous. This list highlights some of the richest cricketers and explains how they built their wealth.
10. Shane Watson ($40 Million)
Shane Watson is a well-known Australian cricketer with a net worth of about $40 million. He played for the Australian national team from 2002 to 2016 and has been part of teams like Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. Watson has also worked with brands like Gunn & Moore, Asics, and TAG Heuer. His earnings from cricket and endorsements have made him one of the richest cricketers in the world.
9. Yuvraj Singh ($40 Million)
Yuvraj Singh is one of India’s most respected and richest cricketers. Known for his incredible batting skills, he became an inspiration after defeating cancer in 2012. He returned to cricket and made history as the most expensive player in IPL when Delhi Daredevils bought him for ₹16 Crore.
Yuvraj played for several IPL teams, including Kings XI Punjab, Pune Warriors, RCB, Delhi Daredevils, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Mumbai Indians. He also played for the Indian Cricket Team from 2000 to 2017. His wealth, estimated at $40 million, comes from cricket contracts and brand endorsements.
8. Virender Sehwag ($40 Million)
Virender Sehwag is known as one of the most dangerous batsmen in the world. His calmness in Test cricket made him stand out. He is one of only four batsmen to score over 300 runs in a Test match twice. Sehwag’s net worth is around $40 million, earned through cricket and brand endorsements.
He also makes money from commentary and being a TV expert. Sehwag has worked with brands like Adidas, Boost, Samsung, and Hero Honda. He played for India from 1999 to 2013 and also played for Delhi Daredevils and Kings XI Punjab in the IPL. These have all contributed to his $40 million net worth.
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7. Brian Lara ($60 Million)
Brian Lara is considered one of the greatest cricketers ever. He is the seventh richest cricketer in the world, with a net worth of $60 million. Lara played for the West Indies from 1990 to 2007 and was a dominant player during this time. He still holds the record for the highest score in first-class cricket, scoring 501 not out in 427 balls for Warwickshire against Durham. His amazing innings included 62 fours and 10 sixes. Lara has also played for teams like Trinidad and Tobago, Northern Transvaal, Warwickshire, and Southern Rocks. He earned his wealth through cricket contracts and brand endorsements.
6. Ricky Ponting ($70 Million)
Ricky Ponting is a former Australian cricketer who played for the Australian team from 1995 to 2012. In the Indian Premier League, he played for Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians. Now, he is the head coach of the Delhi Capitals. He earns money as a coach, from Cricket Australia’s retirement payments, commentary, and brand endorsements. He also made good money during his cricket career. His total net worth is $70 million.
5. Jacques Kallis ($70 Million)
Jacques Kallis played cricket for South Africa from 1995 to 2014 and is the fifth richest cricketer in the world. He also played in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders. Besides IPL, he played in other leagues like Sydney Thunder and Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel. Kallis has an estimated net worth of $70 million. After retiring, he became a coach, working with Kolkata Knight Riders and the England and South African national teams. His wealth comes from cricket, coaching, and brand endorsements.
4. Sourav Ganguly ($80 Million)
Sourav Ganguly is the fourth richest cricketer in the world. He played for India from 1992 to 2008 and also for IPL teams Kolkata Knight Riders and Pune Warriors India. He served as the BCCI president from 2019 to 2022. Ganguly is the brand ambassador for DTDC, earning over ₹1 crore annually. He has also worked with brands like Tata, Vicco, Lux Cozy, and Puma. With income from endorsements, cricket contracts, and administrative roles, Ganguly’s net worth is about $80 million, making him one of the richest cricketers.
3. MS Dhoni ($125 Million)
Mahendra Singh Dhoni is the third richest cricketer in the world. Even after retiring from international cricket, his popularity and brand value keep growing. This is because he plays in the Indian Premier League and is loved by many people in India.
Dhoni earns money from many sources. He owns sports teams like Chennaiyin FC (football), Ranchi Rays (hockey), and Mahi Racing Team India (bike racing). He also makes money from his contract with Chennai Super Kings and from brand endorsements. His total net worth is about $125 million, making him one of the richest cricketers globally.
2. Virat Kohli ($125 Million)
Virat Kohli is one of the most famous cricketers in the world. It’s no surprise that he is also among the richest. He is known globally and has 266 million followers on Instagram. Kohli earns a lot from cricket contracts, making ₹7 crore per year from Team India as part of his A+ BCCI contract. He also earns ₹15 crore yearly playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL.
As the face of cricket today, Kohli has many brand endorsements. He promotes companies like Noise, Vivo, Pepsi, Adidas, and Star Sports. With a net worth of over $125 million, he is the second richest cricketer, just ahead of MS Dhoni.
1. Sachin Tendulkar ($165 Million)
Sachin Tendulkar being the richest cricketer in the world is no surprise. He played for India from 1989 to 2013 and represented only one IPL team, the Mumbai Indians. Even though he retired over 10 years ago, he is still one of India’s most loved cricketers and is known as the ‘God of Cricket.’
Sachin is considered the most successful batsman ever, with the incredible achievement of 100 international centuries. His huge popularity helps him earn a lot from brand endorsements, even years after retirement. He has worked with big brands like Adidas, Coca-Cola, MRF, Britannia, and BMW India. His net worth is about $165 million, making him the richest cricketer in the world.
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