Cricket is one of the most beloved sports in India, and successful cricketers are often among the country’s wealthiest athletes. Several cricketers have inspiring “rags to riches” stories that resonate within the cricketing community. A significant source of income for these players comes from bat sponsorships, where companies pay substantial amounts to have their logos featured on the cricketers’ bats.
Shikhar Dhawan- 3 crores annually
Shikhar Dhawan has been a standout performer, particularly in ICC tournaments. Known for his signature thigh-slapping celebration, the Delhi-born cricketer has established himself as one of India’s most dependable openers. For years, Dhawan formed a formidable opening partnership with Rohit Sharma before being dropped from the T20 squad following a poor showing against England. Despite this setback, the left-hander continues to excel in One Day Internationals (ODIs).
Dhawan’s talent and popularity also attracted major sponsorships, including a lucrative deal with leading tyre manufacturer MRF. The company reportedly paid him an impressive three crore rupees annually to display their logo on his bat.
Rohit Sharma- 3 crores annually
Rohit Sharma has cemented his place as one of the premier white-ball cricketers in the world. On his recent birthday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) recognized his brilliance, referring to him as the ‘Master of the Pull Shot. Rohit holds the unique distinction of being the only player to score three double centuries in ODIs and is affectionately known as the ‘Hitman’ by his fans.
In 2016, CEAT began sponsoring Rohit, featuring their logo on his bat. The tyre company renewed the partnership in 2018, extending the deal for three more years, with an annual endorsement of ₹3 crores.
Yuvraj Singh- 4 crores annually
Yuvraj Singh played a pivotal role in India’s triumphs in both the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. His resilience was on full display when he bravely fought cancer, recovered, and made a remarkable return to the Indian team.
It’s no wonder that PUMA secured a deal with the 2011 World Cup ‘Player of the Tournament,’ offering him an annual contract worth four crores to feature their logo on his bat.
MS Dhoni- 4.33 crores annually
MS Dhoni is the only captain in cricket history to win all three major ICC trophies: the ICC T20 World Cup in 2007, the ODI World Cup in 2011, and the Champions Trophy in 2013. Renowned as one of the greatest finishers in the game, Dhoni consistently amazed fans by turning seemingly lost matches into remarkable victories for his team.
Virat Kohli- 12.5 crores annually
Virat Kohli is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in modern cricket. He has shattered numerous records, including being the fastest player to reach 10,000 runs in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Many cricket enthusiasts predict that Kohli may eventually surpass Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most runs in ODI history.
In addition to his prowess as a batsman, Kohli also served as the captain of the Indian cricket team, making him a prominent figure on and off the field. This reputation helped secure a landmark endorsement deal with MRF in 2017, valued at ₹100 crore over eight years (₹12.5 crore annually), for featuring their logo on his bat.