Cricket has roots as ancient as human history, with a documented history beginning in the late 16th century. Originating in Southeast England, it became a well-established sport by the 18th century. The 19th and 20th centuries saw cricket grow globally, becoming the second most popular spectator sport after football.
The Players
As cricket grew in popularity over the years, it attracted significant investments from both the government and the private corporate sector. This influx of funds has led to improved remuneration for players. Today, cricketers earn substantial incomes not only from international competitions but also from privately-run leagues.
Earning Avenues for Cricket Players
Indian cricket players receive a fixed annual salary from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), determined by their seniority, performance, and a grading system established by the board. This salary helps players focus on cricket as their primary career. Additionally, they earn match fees based on the type of match played and have various other income opportunities.
Advertising
Cricket enjoys immense popularity in the Indian subcontinent, making top Indian players highly sought after in the advertising industry. They are approached by leading brands for various campaigns, earning significant income through these endorsements. These can include television commercials, magazine ads, and billboard promotions. Notable players like Virat Kohli promote brands such as Sun Pharma’s Volini Gel, Hero MotoCorp, Google Duo, Vivo, Myntra, and Bluestar. Jasprit Bumrah serves as the brand ambassador for boAt, Unix, Dream11, Seagram’s Royal Stag, and OnePlus Wearables, while Rohit Sharma endorses Adidas, La Liga, Financepeer, and Dr. Trust, among others.
Sponsorships
In cricket, sponsorship serves as a key marketing strategy. Players earn significant sums by endorsing specific brands, effectively promoting them through their visibility on the field. Cricket players, in particular, receive substantial payments for sponsorships related to bats, shirts, athletic shoes, helmets, and protective gear like knee and elbow pads. Brands represented by these players often experience increased sales, while players enjoy lucrative payouts in return.
Playing for Private Enterprises
Private cricket leagues, such as the IPL and other proprietary brands, offer substantial sums of money to attract players. In the IPL, for instance, auctions are conducted where teams bid for players, with the highest bidders securing top talent. The better the player, the greater the financial reward they can command.
Avenues Post Retirement – Cricket Coach
After retiring from active play, cricketers have numerous opportunities to secure a steady income. One option is to leverage their years of training and experience by coaching emerging talent. They can either join a cricket academy to coach a team or take on personal coaching roles, both of which can be lucrative. Notable retired players like Robin Singh, Manoj Prabhakar, Venkatapathy Raju, and S. Sriram have coached international teams. Additionally, prominent figures such as Kapil Dev, Ravi Shastri, and Rahul Dravid have served as coaches for the Indian national cricket team.
Commentators
Being a cricket commentator is a financially rewarding and appealing role. Former players are often hired by major sports networks to provide commentary during matches. Notable figures in the commentary box include Ravi Shastri, Sunil Gavaskar, Mohinder Amarnath, and Mohammad Azharuddin, who bring their expertise and insights to enhance the viewing experience.
Entrepreneurs and Investors
Many former cricketers have successfully transitioned into entrepreneurship, turning their business ventures into their main source of income after retirement. Players often invest their salaries and earnings into various enterprises or launch their own businesses. Kapil Dev, a renowned name in Indian cricket, stands out as a serial entrepreneur. After retiring, he founded several businesses, including a restaurant chain called “Captain’s Eleven” in Chandigarh and Patna, as well as the “Kaptain’s Retreat Hotel” in Chandigarh.