Richest Cricketers in the World 2026 — Net Worth, Salary & Endorsements

Introduction

Cricket is no longer just a sport — it is a massive global business. The Indian Premier League alone has transformed player earnings, turning talented athletes into multi-millionaires almost overnight. But the wealth of top cricketers extends far beyond match fees and IPL salaries. Today, the richest cricketers earn through brand endorsements worth hundreds of crores, equity stakes in startups, restaurant chains, sports teams, and media ventures.

From Sachin Tendulkar's legendary business empire to Virat Kohli's fashion and lifestyle brand portfolio, cricket has created wealth that rivals some of the biggest names in global sport. In this guide, we rank the top 20 richest cricketers in the world for 2026, break down exactly how they earn, and answer every common question about cricketer net worth.

Top 20 Richest Cricketers in the World 2026

Here is the complete ranking of the wealthiest cricketers as of 2026, based on estimated net worth from salaries, endorsements, investments, and business ventures.

Rank	Name	Country	Net Worth (₹ Cr)	Net Worth (USD)	Primary Income Source
1	Sachin Tendulkar	India	₹1,800 Cr	~$215M	Endorsements, business, MI ownership
2	Virat Kohli	India	₹1,100 Cr	~$130M	IPL, endorsements, One8 Commune
3	MS Dhoni	India	₹1,000 Cr	~$120M	IPL, endorsements, business ventures
4	Jacques Kallis	South Africa	₹800 Cr	~$95M	Cricket earnings, investments
5	Ricky Ponting	Australia	₹700 Cr	~$84M	Commentary, coaching, investments
6	Brian Lara	West Indies	₹600 Cr	~$72M	Commentary, brand deals, investments
7	Shane Warne (estate)	Australia	₹500 Cr	~$60M	Legacy endorsements, media rights
8	AB de Villiers	South Africa	₹350 Cr	~$42M	IPL earnings, endorsements
9	Rohit Sharma	India	₹250 Cr	~$30M	IPL, endorsements, captaincy bonuses
10	Yuvraj Singh	India	₹225 Cr	~$27M	IPL, endorsements, YouWeCan ventures
11	Sourav Ganguly	India	₹200 Cr	~$24M	BCCI presidency, endorsements, business
12	Kapil Dev	India	₹180 Cr	~$21M	Commentary, endorsements, restaurants
13	Chris Gayle	West Indies	₹175 Cr	~$21M	T20 leagues, endorsements
14	Kumar Sangakkara	Sri Lanka	₹165 Cr	~$20M	MCC presidency, investments
15	Mahela Jayawardene	Sri Lanka	₹150 Cr	~$18M	Coaching (MI), commentary
16	Suresh Raina	India	₹140 Cr	~$17M	IPL earnings, endorsements
17	Hardik Pandya	India	₹130 Cr	~$15M	IPL, endorsements, fashion
18	Jasprit Bumrah	India	₹120 Cr	~$14M	IPL, BCCI contract, endorsements
19	Shikhar Dhawan	India	₹100 Cr	~$12M	IPL, endorsements, acting career
20	Pat Cummins	Australia	₹95 Cr	~$11M	IPL, CA contract, endorsements

These figures are estimates based on publicly available information including IPL auction prices, known endorsement deals, business filings, and media reports.

Who is the No. 1 Richest Cricketer?

Sachin Tendulkar holds the title of the richest cricketer in the world with an estimated net worth of ₹1,800 crore (approximately $215 million). Even years after retiring from active cricket in 2013, Tendulkar's wealth has continued to grow thanks to a diversified portfolio of income sources.

Endorsement deals form a massive chunk of Tendulkar's income. Over his career and beyond, he has been the face of brands like BMW India, Coca-Cola, Adidas, Luminous, Apollo Tyres, and MRF. At his peak, Tendulkar was earning ₹80-100 crore per year from endorsements alone.

Mumbai Indians ownership is another significant asset. Tendulkar holds a stake in the Mumbai Indians franchise, one of the most valuable teams in the IPL. With IPL team valuations soaring past ₹10,000 crore for top franchises, even a small equity stake translates into enormous wealth.

Beyond that, Tendulkar earns from commentary stints, his chain of restaurants called Tendulkar's, real estate investments across Mumbai, and his 100MB sports-tech venture. He also earns royalties from his autobiography Playing It My Way, which was one of the best-selling sports books in India.

Which Cricketer Has ₹70,000 Crore Net Worth?

No cricketer has a net worth of ₹70,000 crore. This is a widely circulated myth on social media and misleading clickbait articles. The richest cricketer in the world, Sachin Tendulkar, has an estimated net worth of approximately ₹1,800 crore — which is nowhere close to ₹70,000 crore.

To put this in perspective, ₹70,000 crore is roughly $8.4 billion. That kind of wealth belongs to industrialists and tech billionaires, not professional athletes. Even the wealthiest sportsperson globally (a category typically led by basketball and football stars with massive US market exposure) does not come close to that figure from sporting income alone.

The confusion likely arises from mixing up IPL franchise owners' net worth with cricketers' net worth. For example, the Ambani family (owners of Mumbai Indians) has a net worth exceeding ₹8 lakh crore, but they are business magnates, not cricketers. Similarly, some reports conflate team revenue with individual player wealth, which is entirely inaccurate.

Is Any Cricketer a Billionaire?

No cricketer has crossed the $1 billion (USD) mark in personal net worth. Sachin Tendulkar is the closest at approximately $215 million, which is still far from the billion-dollar threshold.

Cricket, despite being hugely popular, does not generate the kind of individual athlete wealth seen in American sports (NBA, NFL) or global football (soccer). The reasons include:

• Shorter peak earning windows — Most cricketers' prime endorsement value lasts 10-15 years
• Smaller global market — Cricket is primarily popular in South Asia, Australia, England, and the Caribbean
• Team-based salary structures — IPL salaries, while high, are capped and shared among squads

However, cricketers like Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni have built business empires that could theoretically push their net worth much higher over the next decade. Kohli's One8 Commune restaurant chain and his investments in wellness brand Puma India, and Dhoni's portfolio spanning Garuda Aerospace, Seven MS Dhoni brand, and organic farming, represent the kind of equity-based wealth creation that could change the picture.

Who is Richer — Dhoni or Kohli?

This is one of the most searched cricket finance questions in India, and the answer is close but clear:

• Virat Kohli: ~₹1,100 crore ($130M)
• MS Dhoni: ~₹1,000 crore ($120M)

Kohli edges ahead primarily because of his massive endorsement portfolio. He is the face of brands like Puma, Audi India, Blue Star, MRF, Too Yumm, and many more. At his peak, Kohli was earning ₹200+ crore per year from endorsements alone, making him one of the highest-paid athletes in the world.

Dhoni, on the other hand, has a more diversified business portfolio. His ventures include:

• Garuda Aerospace — A drone startup where Dhoni is a brand ambassador and investor
• Seven by MS Dhoni — His sportswear and athleisure brand
• Organic farming — Large-scale farming operations in Ranchi
• Real estate — Multiple properties across Ranchi, Delhi, and Mumbai
• Chennai Super Kings — While he does not own the franchise, his deep association adds to his commercial value

While Kohli is richer on paper today, Dhoni's diverse investments could appreciate significantly over time, potentially closing or even reversing the gap in the coming years.

How Rich is Yuvraj Singh?

Yuvraj Singh, one of India's most iconic match-winners, has an estimated net worth of ₹225 crore (~$27 million). Despite retiring from international cricket in 2019, Yuvraj's wealth continues to hold strong thanks to smart business decisions.

Income sources include:

• IPL career earnings — Yuvraj was one of the highest-paid players in IPL history, with a record ₹16 crore contract from Delhi Daredevils in 2015
• Brand endorsements — Pepsi, Puma, Royal Stag, and others
• YouWeCan Ventures — Yuvraj's venture capital firm that has invested in multiple startups including Cartisan, Moovo, and Healthians
• YouWeCan Foundation — His cancer awareness charity that also generates goodwill-driven brand partnerships
• Commentary and media — Television appearances and cricket analysis

Yuvraj's cancer survival story and his six sixes in a single over at the 2007 T20 World Cup have made him a permanently marketable personality, ensuring steady endorsement income even in retirement.

How Rich is Shikhar Dhawan?

Shikhar Dhawan, known for his swashbuckling batting and entertaining personality, has an estimated net worth of ₹100 crore (~$12 million).

Key income sources:

• IPL earnings — Consistent IPL contracts over the years with teams like Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals, and Punjab Kings
• Endorsements — Brand deals with PolicyBazaar, Cricbuzz, and several regional brands
• Acting career — Dhawan has been expanding into Bollywood and OTT content, leveraging his charismatic personality. His debut web series and movie appearances have added a new revenue stream
• Social media — With millions of followers across Instagram and YouTube, Dhawan earns from sponsored content and influencer partnerships

Dhawan's net worth is expected to grow as his entertainment career picks up momentum alongside his cricket legacy.

Richest Female Cricketer in India

Women's cricket has seen a financial revolution thanks to the Women's Premier League (WPL). The richest female cricketer in India is Smriti Mandhana, with an estimated net worth of ₹30-40 crore.

Mandhana's income sources:

• WPL contract — One of the highest-paid players in the Women's Premier League
• BCCI central contract — Grade A+ contract with the Indian women's team
• Endorsements — Brand ambassador for Noise, SG Cricket, and several other brands
• Match fees and bonuses — International and domestic cricket

Other wealthy female Indian cricketers include:

Player	Estimated Net Worth	Key Income Source
Smriti Mandhana	₹30-40 Cr	WPL, endorsements
Harmanpreet Kaur	₹20-25 Cr	WPL, BCCI contract, endorsements
Jemimah Rodrigues	₹15-20 Cr	WPL, international endorsements
Shafali Verma	₹10-15 Cr	WPL, emerging brand deals

While these figures are modest compared to male cricketers, the growth trajectory is steep. WPL contracts have doubled and tripled in value since the league's inception, and with increasing broadcast revenue and sponsorship, female cricketers' net worth is expected to rise significantly over the coming years.

How Cricketers Earn Money

Understanding cricketer wealth requires looking at multiple income streams. Here is a breakdown of how top cricketers build their fortune:

1. Match Fees and BCCI/Board Contracts Indian cricketers on Grade A+ BCCI contracts earn ₹7 crore per year as a base retainer. Match fees range from ₹15 lakh per Test match to ₹6 lakh per T20I. Other cricket boards pay significantly less — a key reason why Indian cricketers dominate the wealth rankings.

2. IPL Salary The IPL salary structure is a game-changer. Top players earn ₹15-25 crore per season for roughly 2 months of work. Over a career spanning 10-15 IPL seasons, this alone can accumulate to ₹100-200 crore.

3. Brand Endorsements This is the single biggest income source for superstars. A top cricketer like Virat Kohli earns ₹5-10 crore per brand deal, and may have 15-20 active endorsements at any time. That translates to ₹100-200 crore per year.

4. Business Ventures and Equity Modern cricketers are increasingly becoming entrepreneurs. Dhoni's multiple businesses, Kohli's One8 Commune restaurant chain, and Yuvraj's venture capital firm are prime examples. Equity appreciation in these ventures can add hundreds of crores over time.

5. Commentary and Media Retired cricketers like Ricky Ponting, Sunil Gavaskar, and Sourav Ganguly earn ₹3-10 crore per year from commentary assignments with broadcasters like Star Sports, Sky, and others.

6. Coaching and Mentorship IPL and international coaching roles are lucrative. Head coaches for IPL teams earn ₹5-10 crore per season, while support staff and mentors earn ₹2-5 crore. Mahela Jayawardene's long stint as Mumbai Indians coach significantly boosted his net worth.

7. Social Media and Content The newest revenue stream for cricketers. Players with massive followings earn through sponsored posts, YouTube channels, and content partnerships. A single sponsored Instagram post from a top cricketer can cost brands ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the no. 1 richest cricketer?

Sachin Tendulkar is the richest cricketer in the world with an estimated net worth of ₹1,800 crore (~$215M), earned through decades of endorsements, business ventures, and his stake in Mumbai Indians.

Who is the no. 1 richest cricketer in India?

Sachin Tendulkar is also the richest cricketer in India, followed by Virat Kohli (₹1,100 Cr) and MS Dhoni (₹1,000 Cr).

Which cricketer has 70,000 crores net worth?

No cricketer has ₹70,000 crore net worth. This is a viral myth. The richest cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar, has approximately ₹1,800 crore. The ₹70,000 crore figure likely confuses IPL franchise owner wealth with cricketer wealth.

Is any cricketer a billionaire?

No cricketer has reached $1 billion in personal net worth. Sachin Tendulkar is the closest at roughly $215 million. Cricket's market size and salary structures make it difficult to reach billionaire status from cricket alone.

Who is richer, Dhoni or Kohli?

Virat Kohli is slightly richer with an estimated ₹1,100 crore compared to MS Dhoni's ₹1,000 crore. Kohli leads in endorsement income, while Dhoni has a more diversified business portfolio.

How rich is Yuvraj Singh?

Yuvraj Singh has an estimated net worth of ₹225 crore (~$27M), built through IPL earnings, endorsements, and his venture capital firm YouWeCan Ventures.

How rich is Shikhar Dhawan?

Shikhar Dhawan's estimated net worth is ₹100 crore (~$12M), earned through IPL contracts, brand endorsements, and his expanding career in entertainment and acting.

Who is the richest female cricketer in India?

Smriti Mandhana is the richest female cricketer in India with an estimated net worth of ₹30-40 crore, boosted by her WPL contract and multiple brand endorsements.

Who is the 3rd richest cricketer in the world?

MS Dhoni is the third richest cricketer in the world with an estimated net worth of ₹1,000 crore (~$120M), behind Sachin Tendulkar (₹1,800 Cr) and Virat Kohli (₹1,100 Cr).

For more cricket insights, check out IPL Records and Stats and our complete guide to IPL Team Owners 2026.