Meet the richest cricketer in the world. He’s an Indian, not Dhoni or Kohli

In India, cricket is not just a sport but a religion and these sentiments are present in many Asian countries. And so, cricketers are treated no less than gods here. This makes cricket not only a much-loved, played and followed sport but also one of the highest earners! No wonder professional cricketers earn a lot of money from various sources like: international and domestic cricket events, cricket leagues, endorsements, guest appearances etc.
For the uninitiated, Indian Premier League (IPL), which started its operations in 2008, is one of the the richest sports leagues in the world today! No wonder the cricketers who play in it earn huge amounts of money as their fees. However, it is not easy to become a professional cricketer; it takes years of determination, perseverance and hard work to reach the pinnacle of the sport.
Here is the list of the richest cricketers in the world, according to a report by Business Insider. Can you guess who might be number one? Well, here’s a hint: there are Indian cricketerand he is not Mahendra Singh Dhoni Or Virat Kohli. Read on to find out more.

1. Sachin Tendulkar
At the top of the list of the richest cricketers in the world is the ‘God of Cricket’ Sachin Tendulkar! With a career spanning over 20 years, Tendulkar is considered to be one of the best cricketers of all time in the world. His estimated net worth is $170 million (INR 1500 crores) according to Business Insider, making him the richest cricketer in the world today! According to reports, the legendary cricketer earns from brand endorsements, his business ventures including stakes in restaurants called Sachins and Tendulkars in Bengaluru and involvement in Smaaash Entertainment, among others. He has also invested in real estate and owns several luxury cars.
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2. Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Second on the list is ‘Captain Cool’ Mahendra Singh Dhoni, whose net worth is estimated at $111 million (around Rs 1000 crores), according to Business Insider. MS Dhoni is one of the most successful Indian cricket captains and under his leadership the Indian team won the ICC World Twenty20 in 2007 and the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011!
3. Virat Kohli
Third richest cricketer in the world is Virat Kohli, as per reports by Business Insider. His net worth is around $92 million (Rs. 800 crores) and he earns from several media outlets including playing cricket internationally and domestically, IPL, sponsorships and endorsements, and his business venture One8 commune which includes his restaurants.
4. Ricky Ponting
Former Australian cricketer, who is remembered as one of the greatest batsmen of all time, Ricky Ponting has a net worth of around $70 million (INR 600 crores), making him the fourth richest cricketer in the world, as per a report. It was under Ponting’s leadership that the Australian cricket team won two consecutive ICC Cricket World Cups — in 2003 and 2007.
5. Brian Lara
And in fifth place we have West Indies cricketer Brian Lara who has a net worth of around $60 million (INR 500 crores). Brian Lara, affectionately called the ‘Prince of Trinidad’, is known for his cricketing style and records.