Because of its enormous fan base, cricket is regarded as the second most popular sport in the world, despite football’s popularity. The sport, which originated in England and is also referred to as the “gentleman’s game,” has most of its fan base in the Indian subcontinent, especially in India. It should therefore come as no surprise that the majority of the richest cricketers worldwide are Indian. Later on, though, more on that.
The introduction of the Twenty-20 format to cricket gave the sport a significant boost in popularity worldwide. The Indian Premier League (IPL) was the forerunner of several franchise-based Twenty20 leagues that emerged in the late 2000s and early 2010s from all over the world.
The 50-over One-Day format was the shortest version of the game prior to the T20 format, and an average ODI match lasted approximately eight hours. This is the reason for the enormous surge in cricket’s popularity. As was to be expected, the crowd’s tolerance was put to the test, and fewer people stayed for the whole game.
Top richest cricketers:
Nevertheless, despite being played in the 50-over format, the ICC Cricket World Cup, the premier quadrennial event in the cricket world, continues to garner a lot of media attention and fan excitement. As it happens, the Cricket World Cup will take place in 2023, with India serving as the host nation.
Tickets for practically all matches sold out in a matter of hours, which was not surprising considering that over 80% of the sport’s global fan base is Indian. So far, nearly all of the matches in which India has participated have drawn crowds close to capacity.
Cricket players who have served as outstanding brand ambassadors for their game have frequently amassed enormous wealth. Some of them are even among the wealthiest sportsmen in the world. But there is a difference in the salaries these cricket players receive from their national cricket associations. The main cause of this is the dominance of a small number of national top governing bodies in the world of cricket, which gives them access to more lucrative revenue-generating opportunities than others.
The majority of cricket players who are among the richest sportsmen in the world today have given up playing the game. They nevertheless keep making a fortune from their sponsorships. Maybe this is how cricket is rewarding its biggest stars for all of their years of unceasing labour.
In light of this, we examine the wealthiest cricket players in the world, encompassing both active and retired players.
Who are the richest cricketers in the world:
1. Sachin Tendulkar:
Net worth in 2023: USD 170 million (INR 1,410 crores)
One of the best cricket players in history and the sport’s greatest ambassador, Sachin Tendulkar is widely recognised as the “God of Cricket.” Tendulkar is incredibly popular in India. Indians may not be familiar with the names of the President or Prime Minister of their nation, but they are all aware of Sachin Tendulkar.
That is the kind of effect he has had on the general public. The fame of Tendulkar extends beyond India’s borders as well. He is one of the greatest athletes alive and a global icon of the sport.
The renowned cricket player, who will turn 50 in 2023, played the game professionally for 24 years, setting multiple records during that time. The achievement of 100 international centuries stands out among them.
Other notable records include being the highest run scorer in both the Test and ODI cricket formats as well as in all of international cricket. He is the only player in cricket history to have participated in as many as six World Cups, and he took home the coveted trophy just once, in 2011.
As per a report published by CAknowledge, Sachin Tendulkar is the richest cricket player globally with a net worth of approximately USD 170 million (INR 1,410 crore) in 2023. Ten years after he retired from professional cricket, Tendulkar is still earning about USD 6 million (INR 50 crore) annually.
2. Mahendra Singh Dhoni:
Net worth in 2023: USD 127 million (INR 1,053 crores)
Many people consider Mahendra Singh Dhoni to be one of India’s greatest sports legends and to be one of the best captains in cricket history. During his nearly ten years as captain of the Indian cricket team, the former wicketkeeper and batsman developed a number of young players, the majority of whom went on to become outstanding players for their nation.
Cricket players like Virat Kohli are one example of this. Dhoni is still playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the age of 42. In 2023, he even helped the Chennai Super Kings win their fifth IPL championship.
The only cricket player to have won every ICC competition while serving as captain is Mahendra Singh Dhoni (the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013, the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011, and the ICC World Twenty-20 in 2007).
In addition, he has the distinction of being a captain in the greatest number of international cricket matches played (332 matches). In addition to his ability to lead, Dhoni is renowned for his ability to hit hard and his skill at winning games in very challenging circumstances.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is regarded as one of the best finishers in modern cricket, achieved his greatest moment as a finisher in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup final. He amassed an undefeated 91 off 79 deliveries, including a six off Sri Lankan batsman Nuwan Kulasekara to give India its first World Cup victory in 28 years.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni is still one of the richest cricket players in 2023, even after quitting the game three years ago. His estimated net worth is $127 million (INR 1,053 crores), based on reports. In addition to his passion for motorbikes and automobiles, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is well-known for having a number of high-end vehicles in his garage, such as a Hummer, a Porsche 911, an Audi, a Range Rover, and a Mitsubishi Pajero.
3. Virat Kohli:
Net worth in 2023: USD 122 million (INR 1,012 crores)
One man has dominated the cricket world since Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement: Virat Kohli. The 34-year-old Delhi, India native is a modern-day legend and one of the best players in cricket history. Over the past ten years, he has completely revolutionised the sport.
With 78 tonnes to his name, the Indian batsman holds the record for the second-highest hundreds in international cricket, among many other cricketing records. With just one tonne separating him from the master blaster’s record of 49 centuries, Kohli is poised to surpass Tendulkar’s record for the most hundreds in One-Day Internationals.
The fact that Virat Kohli is a great batsman frequently overshadows his leadership abilities. If statistics are to be believed, Kohli has led the Indian team to 40 victories out of 68 matches in Test cricket. This gives him the most victories of any captain. In 2018–19, he also guided India to its first Border–Gavaskar Trophy victory in Australia.
In addition to leading India to a semi-final finish at the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, Kohli has led the team to the finals of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy and the 2021 ICC World Test Championship while serving as captain.
As per the available information, Virat Kohli’s net worth in 2023 is estimated to be approximately USD 122 million (INR 1,012 crores). Being one of the few current international cricket players who is also among the wealthiest in the world, he has the advantage of endorsing a number of global brands, including Puma, MRF Tyres, Uber, and Star Sports.
4. Ricky Ponting:
Net worth in 2023: USD 100 million (INR 829 crores)
Ricky Ponting is regarded as one of the best cricket players in history due to his skill as a leader and batsman. Both his numbers as a captain and his record as a batsman are highly commendable. With 71 tonnes under his belt, the former Australian batsman is ranked third among all international centuries.
In addition to amassing more than 13,000 runs in Test and One-Day Internationals, he also held the record for the highest Test batsman rating in fifty years in December 2006 (before Steve Smith overtook him in 2017).
Ricky Ponting is the captain of international cricket with the highest winning percentage (67.91%), having won 220 of 324 games. Australia has won four ICC competitions under his direction, including two ICC Cricket World Cup championships in 2003 and 2007 and two ICC Champions Trophy victories in 2006 and 2009. In addition, as a captain, Ponting owns the record for most ICC tournament wins. In a Test match against South Africa in December 2012, he announced his retirement from international cricket.
As of 2023, Ricky Ponting is one of the wealthiest cricket players in the world, with an estimated net worth of USD 100 million (INR 829 crores). Ponting was admitted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2018.
5. Sourav Ganguly:
Net worth in 2023: USD 85 million (INR 705 crores)
Sourav Ganguly, also referred to as “Dada” and the “Prince of Calcutta,” has had one of the most exciting careers in international cricket. Despite his steady on-field performances, Ganguly was dropped from the Indian team several times during his career. He was known as the “King of Comebacks,” though, because of his propensity to bounce back stronger each time.
Ganguly became the third individual to reach the 10,000-run mark in One-Day Internationals, following Sachin Tendulkar and Inzamam-ul-Haq. In addition, he was well-known for his aggressive off-side shots. He still holds the record for the highest score by an Indian in an ICC Cricket World Cup match, scoring 183 runs against Sri Lanka in 1999.
In addition to his skill as a batsman, Sourav Ganguly is renowned for his outstanding leadership abilities. He is recognised for having revived Indian cricket following the contentious 1999 match-fixing incident. India reached unprecedented heights and developed into one of the most formidable teams in world cricket under his direction.
In the ICC Knockout Cup in 2000, the ICC Champions Trophy in 2002 (where India and Sri Lanka shared the title after the match was washed out), and the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2003, Sourav Ganguly guided India to three ICC tournament finals. Known as a fiery cricket player, Sourav Ganguly is renowned for confronting opponents head-on and winning matches.
As per the available information, Sourav Ganguly’s net worth as of 2023 is approximately USD 85 million (INR 705 crores). While his father, an industrialist, inherited a sizable portion of the family’s wealth, Ganguly also endorses several brands and has been involved in cricket after retiring in 2008 in a variety of capacities, including commentator, administrator, and mentor.
Prior to this, he served as President of both the top governing body for cricket in India, the Board of Control for Cricket in India, and the Cricket Association of Bengal.
6. Jacques Kallis:
Net worth in 2023: USD 70 million (INR 580 crores)
Before retiring in 2014, Jacques Kallis, who is regarded by both cricket enthusiasts and experts as one of the sport’s greatest all-rounders, was the captain of the South African cricket team for almost 20 years.
He is still the only cricket player to have amassed over 10,000 runs and claimed over 250 wickets in both Test and ODI matches. Sachin Tendulkar is the only player with more centuries in the longest format of the game than Kallis, who has 45 centuries in Test cricket. Tendulkar has 51 centuries in Test cricket.
In addition to playing cricket for his country, Jacques Kallis was a huge success in franchise-based T20 leagues around the world. Following his retirement from the game of cricket, Kallis was appointed head coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League. Additionally, he served as batting consultant for the national cricket teams of England and South Africa.
Jacques Kallis is one of the wealthiest cricket players worldwide. Several reports claim that the South African has a net worth of approximately USD 70 million (INR 580 crores). He was admitted to the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2020.
7. Brian Lara:
Net worth in 2023: USD 60 million (INR 497 crores)
The best batsman to come out of the Caribbean is without a doubt Brian Lara in the post-Vivian Richards era of West Indies cricket history. As one of the best batsmen in the history of the game, Lara is a Trinidadian native.
With his innings of 501 not out for Warwickshire against Durham, which went down in history as the highest individual score in first-class cricket and the only quintuple hundred in an innings to date, the southpaw is the owner of several cricket records. With his 400-run innings against England in Antigua in 2004—the record for the highest individual score in the history of Test cricket—the Trinidadian batsman also owns this distinction.
In international cricket, it is still the only time a batsman has achieved the 400-run mark. In addition to being one of the best cricket players of his era, Brian Lara was a highly successful captain. In 2004, he guided the West Indies to their sole ICC Champions Trophy victory—their first ICC trophy since the 1979 Cricket World Cup. In 2007, Brian Lara ended his career as an international cricket player.
Brian Lara, who is currently the batting coach for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League, is one of the richest cricketers in 2023. The former batting sensation reportedly has a net worth of about USD 60 million (INR 497 crores). In September 2012, Brian Lara, also known as “The Prince,” was admitted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.
8. Chris Gayle:
Net worth in 2023: USD 45 million (INR 375 crores)
Known as “The Universe Boss,” Chris Gayle is regarded as one of the most devastating batsmen in cricket history by the cricket community. In addition, he holds multiple cricketing records and is considered by both enthusiasts and experts as one of the pioneers of Twenty20 cricket.
The Jamaican cricketer continues to hold the record for the most caps earned by the West Indies. A triple century in Test matches, a double century in ODIs, and a century in T20 Internationals make him the only player in history to have accomplished all three feats.
In addition to being the top run scorer for the West Indies in ODIs and T20 internationals, Chris Gayle is still the only player in the region to score more than 10,000 runs in ODI cricket, along with Brian Lara.
Thanks to his 175-run knock for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2013 Indian Premier League, Gayle also owns the record for the highest individual score in T20 cricket. He played for the West Indies team that won the ICC World Twenty20 in 2012 and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2004.
According to reports, Chris Gayle’s estimated net worth for 2023 is USD 45 million (INR 375 crores). He was named to the ICC T20I Team of the Decade (for 2011–2020) by the ICC in 2020.
9. Virender Sehwag:
Net worth in 2023: USD 42 million (INR 348 crores)
Even in the most extreme circumstances, Virender Sehwag’s hard-hitting ability sent shivers down the spines of the opposing bowling attack, earning him a reputation as one of the most destructive openers in sports history. During his tenure with the Indian national team, Sehwag—an aggressive batsman who discovered his best form under Sourav Ganguly’s tutelage—shared unforgettable opening stands with Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, and Gautam Gambhir.
With his 319-run innings against Pakistan in 2006, Sehwag also has the distinction of being the highest-scoring Indian in Test cricket. In Test cricket, he is also the only Indian and the fourth batsman to have scored more than 300 runs twice.
Virender Sehwag is one of the richest cricket players in 2023. He has won three ICC tournaments with Indian teams: the ICC Champions Trophy in 2002, the ICC World T20 in 2007, and the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011. Sehwag has accumulated substantial wealth over the course of his career and even beyond. Virender Sehwag’s estimated net worth is USD 42 million (INR 348 crores), per a report by CAknowledge.
10. Pat Cummins:
Net worth in 2023: USD 41 million (INR 341 crores)
Pat Cummins, arguably one of the best pace bowlers of the modern era, has evolved into not only a star player for the Australian cricket team but also a representative of the sport in general. When Tim Paine resigned as captain of the Australian Test cricket team, Pat Cummins, a man of leadership, assumed leadership of the team.
As the captain of the longest format of the game, he quickly achieved success, leading Australia to victory in the Ashes series (2021–2022), a bilateral Test cricket series spanning five matches between Australia and England.
After leading Australia to their first-ever ICC World Test Championship victory in the championship match against India in 2023, Pat Cummins went on to become one of the greatest captains of the modern era. Along with managing Australia’s ODI team, Cummins took over after Aaron Finch retired.
The Australian team participating in the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup is led by him. In addition to winning the Test Championship, Cummins was a member of the Australian squads that participated in and won the Men’s T20 World Cup in 2021 and the ODI World Cup in 2015.
Numerous reports state that Pat Cummins’s net worth as of 2023 is approximately USD 41 million (INR 341 crores). He was the recipient of the 2019 ICC Test Cricketer of the Year award as well as the Allan Border Medal, which goes to the best Australian cricketer of the year.
11. Yuvraj Singh:
Net worth in 2023: USD 40 million (INR 332 crores)
Few cricketers in Indian history have quite the flamboyance and aura of Yuvraj Singh. Singh, who can bat left-handed and bowl spin, is still one of India’s best all-around players. Throughout his career, the Punjabi cricketer was one of the Indian team’s best fielders in addition to his batting and bowling prowess.
In the same match, Singh achieved the fastest half-century in international cricket history by hitting England’s Stuart Broad for six sixes in an over (he reached 50 runs in just 12 deliveries). In 2011, he also accomplished the distinction of being the first cricket player to take five wickets and score 50 runs or more in a World Cup match. India won its second World Cup title thanks to the heroics of Yuvraj Singh, who was named the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup’s Player of the Tournament.
Following the World Cup’s highs, cancer became a grim reality. After receiving a cancerous tumour diagnosis in his left lung, Yuvraj Singh was forced to stop playing cricket in order to receive treatment. After winning his fight against cancer, he rejoined the Indian team in 2012. Yuvraj Singh received the FICCI Most Inspiring Sportsperson of the Year award in February 2014.
12. Shane Watson:
Net worth in 2023: USD 40 million (INR 332 crores)
Shane Watson, one of the most well-known cricket players among millennials, spent about 14 years playing for the national team. He has participated in four Australian teams that have won ICC competitions: the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2007 and 2015, the ICC Champions Trophy in 2006 and 2009.
Playing in multiple franchise-based cricket leagues around the world, fast-bowling all-rounder Watson established himself as one of the most valuable T20 cricket players in history. The Australian all-rounder has had great success in India, having won the IPL twice (in 2008 and 2018) and been selected as the tournament’s player twice (in 2008 and 2013).
With an estimated net worth of USD 40 million (INR 332 crores) in 2023, Shane Watson, along with fellow all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, completes the list of the richest cricket players in the world.
So, this was all about the top richest cricketers in the world. Also read, CBMAK issues 100 crore Rs lawsuit on Shark Tank India
