Cricket is more than a sport in India. Glamour and glitz is essential a part of Indian cricket as is the performance on field. No wonder with BCCI (which is the richest cricketing board in the world) cricket in India is awash with riches and glitter. The centrally contracted BCCI players have already been earning hefty amounts as part of their BCCI contracts. However, for the year 2018- 19, the BCCI is awarding such lucrative contracts to its players that will only seem your annual salaries seem like a mere farce in the face.
A whopping Rs 7 crores annual contract for the grade A+ players and a staggering Rs 1 crore even for the grade B contractees puts in purview the tremendous riches Indian cricketers enjoy. And mind it, the salary is only a part of what the cricketers cumulatively amass. Match winning performances and knocks are further translated into monetary benefits while brand power also plays a role in gaining the bucks through endorsements. Here are the salaries of Indian cricketers in 2019 (and their net worth) that will definitely blow your mind-
Virat Kohli
Salary: Rs 7 crore per annum
Source: Wisden
Net worth: Rs 644 crores
The poster boy of Indian cricket that is steeped on buoyed confidence, Virat Kohli is definitely a sportsperson extraordinaire. The world’s No 1 batsman and the captain of the Indian cricket team is also one of the world’s most priciest. Awarded with an A+ contract by BCCI that would earn him an annual salary of a whopping 7 crores, Kohli also draws upon his star power to emerge as cricket’s highest paid player. Kohli also captains the Royal Challengers Bangalore team in the IPL which also earns him a lot of money.
Kohli has been associated with a number of brands. Colgate-Palmolive, Gillette, Gionee, Herbalife, MRF, Manyavar, New Era, Puma, Punjab National Bank, American Tourister, Audi, Boost, Tissot, Uber, Vicks 3C Company, Celkon Mobiles, Cinthol (from Godrej), Clear (from Unilever), Mattel, Munch (from Nestle), Oakley, Red Chief Shoes, Royal Challenge (from United Breweries), Sangam Suiting and Toyota Motors, Fair & Lovely, Fastrack (from Titan), Pepsi, Flying Machine are the brands endorsed by Virat.
Kohli also has his own fashion label WROGN and a personally curated fragrance line that goes by the name of One8 Fragrances. This, and many other commercial investments by the 30 year old sure ensures his position as a highly valued celebrity sportsperson.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Salary: Rs 5 crore per annum
Source: Rangooski.com
Net worth: Rs 777 crores
Dhoni might be viewed as an old war horse now but his enduring legacy and stature as Captain Cool still retains most of his aura and star power. Awarded an A contract by the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Dhoni ‘s annual salary stands as a staggering Rs 5 crore. Add to this his voluminous brand endorsements and investment ventures and Dhoni’s net worth stands at a massive over Rs 700 crores.
Indian Terrain, RedBus, Indigo Paints, Colgate, Panerai, LivFast, Go Daddy, Bharat Matrimony, Mastercard India, Sumadhura, Snickers India, Orient Fans, Netmeds.com, Sound Logic, WandWiz, SRMB Steel, Lava Mobiles, Zed Black Agarbattis, Gulf Oil India, Dream11, Reebok India, Exide Life Insurance, PepsiCo, Boost, Amity University, Spartan Sports, Aircel, TVS, Videocon d2h, Sonata, Cello, Siyarams, India Cements are the brands that Dhoni has endorsed over the years.
Dhoni is also the owner of the footwear side of the lifestyle brand SEVEN. An inseparable part of IPL franchisee Chennai Supe Kings, Dhoni is also one of the highest earning players in the circuit.
Jasprit Bumrah
Salary: Rs 7 crore per annum
Source: Twitter
Net worth: Rs 31.5 crores
Apart from drawing a salary of Rs 7 crores as the world’s top bowler, Bumrah also is associated with brands like boAt, Dream11, Asics, Zaggle that contribute to his net worth. Bumrah also plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL.
Rohit Sharma
Salary: Rs 7 crore per annum
Source: Forbes India
Net worth: Rs 140 crores
The A+ contract with BCCI courtesy his stupendous performances in recent times has led Sharma to draw an annual salary of Rs 7 crore a year. The brand ambassador of World Wide Fund for Nature, Rohit Sharma has endorsed brands like Adidas, Sharp television, Relispray, Conekt Gadget, Hublot, CEAT Limited, Aristocrat Bags, Nissan, Restless Action Drink, Nasivion, Oppo Mobiles, Lays, Maggi which is another of his income sources. A phenomenon in the IPL as well, having led Mumbai Indians to four title wins, Sharma is also known for his philanthropy.
Shikhar Dhawan
Salary: Rs 5 crore per annum
Source: Man’s World India
Net worth: Rs 80 crores
A paycheck of Rs 5 crore as a BCCI Grade A cricketer forms a part of the income of prolific cricketer Shikhar Dhawan. That apart, brand endorsements contribute in part to his net worth. GS Caltex, boAt, Ramsons Perfume India, Alcis Sports, DaOne Home, Canara Bank, Big Bazaar, Allied Blenders and Distillers, Nerolac, Oppo and Lays, R K Global, Jolly Roger, Rodeo Drive, Professional Management Group (PMG), MRF are some of the brands with which Dhawan has been associated.
Hardik Pandya
Salary: Rs 3 crore per annum
Source: mykhel.com
Net worth: Rs 10.5 crores
A Grade B player under the BCCI, Hardik Pandya’s salary of Rs 3 crores contribute handsomely to his net worth of Rs 10.5 crores. Hala Play, Gulf Oil, Star Sports, Gillette, Zaggle, Sin Denim, D:FY, boAt, Oppo are some of the brands that had Pandya in their ranks as the star face. However, he had to lose out on most of his brand image after the Koffee with Karan controversy.
Ravichandran Ashwin
Salary: Rs 5 crore per annum
Source: espncricinfo.com
Net worth: Rs 35 crores
The 2016 ICC Cricketer of the Year Ravichandra Ashwin earns a yearly salary of Rs 5 crore and a net worth of around Rs 35 crores. Brands which Ashwin has endorsed over the years include Manna Foods, Aristocrat, Oppo, Equitas SFB, Nike, Moov, Redmi, Specsmakers, Ramraj Linen Shirts, Johnson’s Baby, Castrol, Vodafone, Complan, GRT Jewellers, Gillette, LYF mobile, HDFC Life, Royal Stag, GSVPL (real estate) and Cavin Milkshakes .
Ravindra Jadeja
Salary: Rs 5 crore per annum
Source: Sportz Craazy
Net worth: Rs 50 crores
An A grade player under the BCCI, Ravindra Jadega’s annual salary is Rs 5 crores excluding the amount that he earns from being a part of Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. Jadeja has also done endorsements for Gujarat Tourism, Incredible India, Life OK, Indian sportswear brand Zeven and Bajaj Consumer Care Ltd.
Umesh Yadav
Salary: Rs 3 crore per annum
Source: India Today
Net worth: Rs 7 crores
The brand ambassador of NMC’s Swachchata Mission, Umesh Yadav is a Grade B player under the BCCI which puts his annual salary at Rs 3 crores per annum. Also an RBI employee who draws salary also from the government, Yadav has also featured in RBI ads promoting financial literacy.
Yuzvendra Chahal
Salary: Rs 3 crore per annum
Source: Royal Challengers
Net worth: Rs 21 crores
Yuzvendra Chahal is the brand ambassador of the Oriental Bank of Commerce and also has his own lifestyle brand – CheQmate. His annual salary is Rs 3 crore per annum.
Mohammed Shami
Salary: Rs 5 crore per annum
Source: Atimanarj News
Net worth: Rs 8 crores
Mohammad Shami is an A grade player under the BCCI and draws a salary of Rs 5 crores.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Salary: Rs 5 crore per annum
Source: Charmboard
Net worth: Rs 51 crores
Bhuvneswar Kumar earns a salary of Rs 5 crore each year and also is associated with the Japanese sportswear brand Asics. He has also been playing in the IPL.
Cheteshwar Pujara
Salary: Rs 5 crore per annum
Source; Magzter
Net worth: Rs 14 crores
Once the brand ambassador of Gujarat Election Commission, Cheteswar Pujara’s annual salary is Rs 5 crores that he draws as a Grade A player under the BCCI.
Rishabh Pant
Salary: Rs 5 crore per annum
Source: Sportzwiki
Net worth: Rs 10 crores
One among the brand ambassadors of Himalaya MEN and Boost, Rishabh Pant is a Grade A player under the BCCI. Also a player for Delhi Daredevils in the IPL, Pant’s central contract earns him an annual salary of Rs 5 crores.
K L Rahul
Salary: Rs 3 crore per annum
Source: Cornerstone
Net worth: Rs 28 crores
K L Rahul endorses brands like Zenovit, Puma and Cure.fit. He also has his own street wear brand Gully and also is a part of ads for the Reserve Bank of India, of which he is also an employee.
Ajinkya Rahane
Salary: Rs 5 crore per annum
Source: The Cricket Lounge
Net worth: Rs 52 crores
Nike and CEAT are among the brands endorsed by another grade A Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane. His salary of Rs 5 crore every year and his earnings from brand endorsements puts his net worth at Rs 52 crores.
Ishant Sharma
Salary: Rs 5 crore per annum
Source: The National
Net worth: 21 crores
Pepsi, Fly Phones, Reebok, Boost are among the brands with which grade A BCCI player Ishant Sharma is associated.
Kuldeep Yadav
Salary: Rs 5 crore per annum
Source: CricTracker.com
Net worth: Rs 14.3 crores
With a grade A level contract with the BCCI, Kuldeep Yadav earns a yearly salary of Rs 5 crores while also being one of the many endorsers for the reputed brand Adidas.
Kedar Jadhav
Salary: Rs 1 crore per annum
Source: espncricinfo.com
Net worth: Rs 14 crores
Kedar Jadhav draws a salary of Rs 1 crore per year as he is a grade B contract holder under the BCCI. Jadhav has also been the brand ambassador of Samarth Bank.
Dinesh Karthik
Salary: Rs 1 crore per annum
Source: India Today
Net worth: Rs 33 crores
Dines Karthik also earns an annual salary of Rs 1 crore per year from the BCCI. He has also worked with brands like Zandu Balm and Asian Paints.
Ambati Rayudu
Salary: Rs 1 crore per annum
Source: Cricketnmore
Net worth: Rs 24 crores
Another B grade central cricketer contracted with the BCCI is Ambati Rayudu who also draws a yearly salary of Rs 1 crore.
Manish Pandey
Salary: Rs 1 crore per annum
Source: Twitter
Net worth: Rs 56 crore
The brand ambassador for Indigo Nation, Manish Pandey’s contract with the BCCI entitles him to a yearly salary of Rs 1 crore.
Wriddhiman Saha
Salary: Rs 1 crore per annum
Source: Scroll.in
Net worth: Rs 42 crores
Wriddhiman Saha also is contracted by the BCCI to play as a Grade B cricketer from which he earns a salary of Rs 1 crore per year.
