Indian cricket has produced some of the world’s highest-earning athletes. While match fees and IPL salaries play a major role, the biggest fortunes are often built through endorsements, business ventures, investments, and media work.
From Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, India’s cricket stars have successfully turned their sporting success into long-term wealth.
Below, we’ve ranked the richest cricketers in India in 2026, along with their estimated net worth, primary income sources, and the key factors behind their financial success.
Richest Cricketers In India: At A Glance (2026)
| Rank | Cricketer | Net Worth (INR) | Net Worth (USD) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ajay Jadeja* | ₹1,450 crore | $174M | Retired |
| 2 | Sachin Tendulkar | ₹1,400+ crore | $170M | Retired |
| 3 | MS Dhoni | ₹1,060–1,200 crore | ~$127M | Active (IPL) |
| 4 | Virat Kohli | ₹1,040–1,115 crore | ~$125M | Active |
| 5 | Virender Sehwag | ₹350 crore | $42M | Retired |
| 6 | Yuvraj Singh | ₹291 crore | $35M | Retired |
| 7 | Gautam Gambhir | ₹265 crore | $32M | Retired/Coach |
| 8 | Sunil Gavaskar | ₹160–260 crore | $19–31M | Retired |
| 9 | Suresh Raina | ₹215 crore | $26M | Retired |
| 10 | Rohit Sharma | ₹214–250 crore | $26–30M | Active |
| 11 | Rahul Dravid | ₹197 crore | $24M | Retired |
| 12 | Kapil Dev | ₹130–150 crore | $16–18M | Retired |
| 13 | Sourav Ganguly | ₹115–125 crore | $14–15M | Retired |
Ajay Jadeja’s net worth includes royal inheritance from the Jamnagar royal family, not cricket alone.
1. Ajay Jadeja – ₹1,450 Crore ($174 Million)
Ajay Jadeja tops this list, but the reason matters. A significant chunk of his wealth comes from his royal lineage — he belongs to the Jamnagar royal family of Gujarat, which adds substantial inheritance and real estate value to his name.
His cricket career, however, was genuinely brilliant. Jadeja dismantled Waqar Younis with an explosive 45 off 25 balls in the 1996 World Cup quarter-final, one of the most memorable ODI innings India produced in that era.
Key Income Sources:
- Royal inheritance and Jamnagar family real estate holdings
- Cricket career earnings spanning 1992–2007, including domestic stints post-international retirement
- Television commentary, analysis, and brand endorsements
- Strategic business investments across multiple sectors
That said, for fans searching purely for cricketers who built their wealth from the sport itself, Sachin Tendulkar is the real answer at the top.
2. Sachin Tendulkar – ₹1,400+ Crore ($170 Million)
Sachin Tendulkar retired in 2013. Over a decade later, his brand still commands ₹7–10 crore per endorsement campaign. That’s not a retired cricketer. That’s a perpetual brand asset.
In February 2026 alone, Tendulkar signed a fresh deal with Apollo Tyres while maintaining his long-running Ageas Federal Life Insurance partnership. Analysts believe his net worth could cross $200 million by late 2027 as asset values rise.
Key Income Sources:
- Brand endorsements – Apollo Tyres (Feb 2026), Ageas Federal Life Insurance, Tanishq, Luminous, Gillette, JioCinema, Bank of Baroda; annual endorsement income estimated at ₹40–45 crore
- Mumbai Indians – MI mentor/ambassador role earning ₹6–8 crore/year
- Business ventures – True Blue clothing, SRT Sports Management Pvt. Ltd, stake in Smaaash Entertainment, co-ownership in Kerala Blasters FC
- Real estate – Bandra bungalow valued at ₹70–80 crore, properties in Mumbai and Pune worth ₹40–50+ crore
One thing separates Tendulkar from almost every cricketer in this list. He famously turned down a ₹20 crore offer from the UB Group in 2010 to endorse liquor. That refusal built exactly the kind of brand trust that keeps premium companies lining up 13 years after his last Test.
3. MS Dhoni – ₹1,060–1,200 Crore (~$127 Million)
Here’s something worth thinking about. MS Dhoni was retained by Chennai Super Kings for just ₹4 crore in IPL 2026 as an uncapped player. Market estimates put his auction value at over ₹20 crore. He chose ₹4 crore and loyalty over ₹20 crore and an open auction.
That decision alone tells you that cricket is no longer Dhoni’s primary income engine. His wealth now flows from businesses, equity stakes, and endorsements far more than from match salaries.
Dhoni holds stakes in 15+ companies, including Garuda Aerospace, Seven activewear, Chennaiyin FC, 7InkBrews, and EMotorad. His real estate includes the 7-acre Kailashpati farmhouse in Ranchi, a ₹17.8 crore Dehradun residence, and properties in Mumbai and Pune.
Key Income Sources:
- CSK IPL salary – ₹4 crore for IPL 2026; cumulative IPL earnings cross ₹190 crore across 19 seasons.
- Brand endorsements – TVS, Dream11, Reebok, and 30+ brands generating ₹100+ crore/year
- Business equity -Seven (activewear), Garuda Aerospace, Chennaiyin FC (ISL), SportsFit World gyms, Dhoni Entertainment (film production)
- BCCI pension – Post-retirement benefit from international career
- Farming income – Organic farming operations at his Ranchi property
Dhoni’s income is estimated at around ₹20 lakh per day in 2026 based on annual earnings distribution. That figure, for a man who retired from international cricket in 2020, is a testament to building beyond the boundary.
4. Virat Kohli – ₹1,040–1,115 Crore (~$125 Million)
Virat Kohli retired from Test cricket in 2025 and stepped back from T20Is a year before that. None of it slowed his income. If anything, he earns more in 2026 than at any point in his career.
The reason is straightforward: roughly 60% of his wealth comes not from playing, but from brands, businesses, and 274 million Instagram followers. His monthly income is estimated at ₹20–25 crore before business returns.
Key Income Sources:
- IPL salary – ₹21 crore/season with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2026; total IPL earnings cross ₹210 crore
- BCCI contract – Grade B (₹3 crore/year) following the restructure in early 2026
- Brand endorsements – Puma, MRF (₹12.5 crore/year), Audi, Digit Insurance, Rage Coffee, and 30+ brands; annual endorsement income ₹150–200+ crore a single sponsored Instagram post reportedly earns over ₹10.5 crore
- Businesses – One8 Commune restaurants, Chisel Fitness gyms, Wrogn fashion brand (equity stake), Agilitas sportswear
- Social media – 271M+ Instagram followers, one of the most-followed athletes globally
One nuance worth noting: Kohli’s per-brand fee sits at ₹8–12 crore per deal. He doesn’t just endorse products – he often takes equity, which means his wealth compounds with the brands he backs, not just the cheques he cashes.
5. Virender Sehwag – ₹350 Crore ($42 Million)
Virender Sehwag scored 319 in a Test match. He batted like he was personally offended by the bowling. Turns out that same aggressive energy built a pretty solid financial career too.
Post-retirement, Sehwag pivoted into commentary, education, and digital content, areas where his personality does the work almost effortlessly.
Key Income Sources:
- Sehwag International School in Jhajjar, Haryana, a residential sports-focused school that has become one of India’s better-known cricket academies
- Television commentary across Indian and international broadcasters
- Brand endorsements – Adidas, Samsung, Boost, and various Indian brands
- Social media and digital content – his sharp cricket observations and humor consistently trend on X (formerly Twitter)
Sehwag’s social media presence is arguably his best post-retirement asset. Not many retired cricketers get retweets from fans who were in kindergarten when he debuted.
6. Yuvraj Singh – ₹291 Crore ($35 Million)
Six sixes off Stuart Broad in the 2007 T20 World Cup made Yuvraj Singh a household name globally. What followed off the field was arguably more interesting: a cancer battle, a comeback, a retirement, and a portfolio of startup investments that most cricketers don’t bother with.
Key Income Sources:
- YouWeCan Ventures – a startup investment company with bets across health-tech, ed-tech, and consumer brands; Yuvraj has backed dozens of early-stage companies
- Brand endorsements – Puma, Pepsi, Revital H, and ongoing ambassador roles
- IPL legacy earnings – consistently among the highest-paid in his peak years
- Public speaking and international brand ambassador roles
Beyond the money, YouWeCan Foundation has funded cancer treatment for thousands of patients across India. It’s a legacy that compounds his credibility in ways no endorsement deal ever could.
7. Gautam Gambhir – ₹265 Crore ($32 Million)
Gautam Gambhir is the only active earner in the top 10 in a non-playing capacity. As India’s Head Coach since 2024, his income now includes BCCI coaching fees on top of his cricket legacy earnings and endorsements.
He also serves as a Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), which adds another professional income stream.
Key Income Sources:
- BCCI Head Coach fee (Indian national team, 2024–present)
- KKR IPL earnings – substantial income as Kolkata Knight Riders captain and franchise cornerstone
- Brand endorsements -MRF, Reebok, Red Bull, and others
- Political income as Member of Parliament
His 97-run innings in the 2011 World Cup final barely got the credit it deserved at the time. His financial portfolio, meanwhile, has been building quietly without anyone noticing – which, if you know Gambhir, is exactly how he would want it.
8. Sunil Gavaskar – ₹160–260 Crore ($19–31 Million)
Sunil Gavaskar was the first cricketer in history to score 10,000 Test runs. More than four decades later, he still earns from cricket – just from the commentary box instead of the crease.
Key Income Sources:
- Television commentary for over 40 years, spanning major international broadcasters including Star Sports, Sony, and global cricket networks
- Brand endorsements – Thums Up, Dinesh Suitings, Health Plan, and selective Indian brands
- Public speaking, corporate events, and strategic advisory roles
- Investments across financial instruments accumulated over a long career
Gavaskar is one of the clearest examples in this list of how longevity in a media career can sustain income long after playing days end. His commentary career alone is longer than most players’ entire international stints.
9. Suresh Raina – ₹215 Crore ($26 Million)
Suresh Raina was the first IPL player to score 5,000 runs in the tournament’s history. He did it primarily in yellow, and those IPL earnings form the foundation of his current wealth.
Key Income Sources:
- IPL legacy earnings – consistently among the highest earners during his peak years with Chennai Super Kings; CSK connections also provided long-term brand association value
- Brand endorsements – Boost, Fantain, RK Global, and post-retirement ambassador deals
- Real estate investments across multiple cities
- Business ventures in food, hospitality, and consumer segments
Raina’s financial story is a good illustration of what sustained IPL excellence can build. He never had Kohli’s endorsement pull or Dhoni’s business instincts – but 13 IPL seasons with a franchise like CSK, and the wealth takes care of itself.
10. Rohit Sharma – ₹214–250 Crore ($26–30 Million)
Rohit Sharma retired from Test cricket in January 2025 and handed over the ODI captaincy to Shubman Gill in October 2025. But with Mumbai Indians retaining him at ₹16.30 crore for IPL 2026 and 25+ active brand deals, his earning capacity remains very much alive.
Key Income Sources:
- MI IPL salary – ₹16.30 crore/season
- BCCI central contract – Grade B (₹3 crore/year) following the 2026 A+ grade removal; match fees add ~₹72–90 lakh/year from ODI appearances
- Brand endorsements – CEAT, Adidas, Hublot, and 25+ brands
- Real estate – 6,000 sq ft sea-facing apartment at Ahuja Towers, Worli, Mumbai, valued at ~₹30 crore
- Restaurant investments and startup equity
How Indian Cricketers Build Their Wealth?
Most people think cricketers get rich from playing matches. The reality is more layered than that. For India’s top earners, cricket is often the smallest piece of the income puzzle.
BCCI Central Contracts: The Foundation
The BCCI restructured its central contract system in early 2026, removing the Grade A+ tier. The updated structure:
| Grade | Annual Retainer | Key Players (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Grade A | ₹5 crore | Jasprit Bumrah, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja |
| Grade B | ₹3 crore | Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya |
| Grade C | ₹1 crore | Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, others |
On top of the retainer, players earn match fees: ₹15 lakh per Test, ₹6 lakh per ODI, and ₹3 lakh per T20I for playing XI members, with non-playing members receiving half.
IPL: Where the Real Money Flows
The Indian Premier League changed cricket economics permanently from 2008. Before the IPL, even India’s biggest names earned modest annual incomes by global sports standards. That math no longer applies.
Key IPL salaries in 2026:
- Rishabh Pant (LSG) – ₹27 crore
- Virat Kohli (RCB) – ₹21 crore
- Rohit Sharma (MI) – ₹16.30 crore
- MS Dhoni (CSK) – ₹4 crore (voluntarily retained at a discount)
For context, Dhoni’s cumulative IPL earnings across 19 seasons cross ₹190 crore. That’s before any endorsement or business income is added.
Brand Endorsements: The Biggest Income Driver
For India’s top four or five cricketers, endorsements generate more money than cricket ever did. Kohli earns an estimated ₹150–200+ crore annually from brands alone, compared to ~₹35–40 crore from cricket. That ratio is only going to grow as his playing career winds down.
Key endorsement benchmarks in 2026:
- Virat Kohli – ₹8–12 crore per brand deal, 30+ active brands
- MS Dhoni – ₹100+ crore/year from 30+ brands
- Sachin Tendulkar – ₹7–10 crore per campaign, 14+ active brands
Business Ventures and Equity: Long-Term Wealth Building
The smartest earners in Indian cricket don’t just put their face on products. They own stakes in them.
- MS Dhoni – Garuda Aerospace, Seven, Chennaiyin FC, SportsFit World gyms, Dhoni Entertainment (film production)
- Virat Kohli – One8 Commune, Chisel Fitness, Wrogn, Rage Coffee, Digit Insurance (equity, not just endorsement)
- Yuvraj Singh – YouWeCan Ventures (multi-sector startup portfolio)
- Sachin Tendulkar – SRT Sports Management, True Blue, stake in Kerala Blasters FC
This equity-first mindset means their net worth continues compounding long after match fees stop.
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Conclusion: Ajay Jadeja Leads the List of Richest Cricketers in India
Ajay Jadeja leads the list of India’s richest cricketers in 2026 with an estimated net worth of ₹1,450 crore, while Sachin Tendulkar remains the wealthiest through cricket-related earnings alone.
The rankings show how endorsements, investments, businesses, and smart financial planning have become just as important as on-field success.
Disclaimer: All net worth figures are estimates based on publicly available data from 2026. Actual figures may vary and should not be treated as financial advice.
