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Written by Akash Saha | Edited and fact-checked by Amit Saha | Editorial policy
Quick answer: Sachin Tendulkar is the richest cricketer in the world in 2026, with an estimated net worth of about US$170 million (₹1,415 crore) built from his playing career, endorsements and investments. MS Dhoni (about US$127 million) and Virat Kohli (about US$125 million) complete the top three. Former India batter Ajay Jadeja is sometimes listed first, at about ₹1,450 crore, but that figure comes from his 2024 royal inheritance, not from cricket.
All net worth figures are estimates from published media reports and rankings. Cricketers do not publish their wealth, so figures vary.
Top 10 Richest Cricketers in the World 2026
| # | Cricketer | Country | Net worth (est.) | In rupees (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sachin Tendulkar | India | US$170 million | ₹1,415 crore |
| 2 | MS Dhoni | India | US$127 million | ₹1,060 crore |
| 3 | Virat Kohli | India | US$125 million | ₹1,040–1,115 crore |
| 4 | Ricky Ponting | Australia | US$70 million | ₹580 crore |
| 5 | Brian Lara | West Indies | US$60 million | ₹500 crore |
| 6 | Jacques Kallis | South Africa | US$48 million | ₹400 crore |
| 7 | Chris Gayle | West Indies | US$45 million | ₹375 crore |
| 8 | Virender Sehwag | India | US$40 million | ₹335 crore |
| 9 | Shane Watson | Australia | US$40 million | ₹335 crore |
| 10 | Yuvraj Singh | India | US$35 million | ₹290 crore |
Estimates as of 2026, based on published rankings and media reports. Shane Warne, who died in 2022, is not ranked; his estate was estimated at about US$50 million.
What about Ajay Jadeja? In October 2024 the Jam Saheb of Nawanagar named former India batter Ajay Jadeja as his heir. Reports valued that royal inheritance at about ₹1,450 crore (around US$175 million), which is why some lists now call him the richest cricketer. That wealth comes from ancestral estates and land, not from cricket, so most 2026 rankings list him separately. Read the full story: Ajay Jadeja: the richest cricketer in the world?
The Richest Cricketers: Player Profiles
1. Sachin Tendulkar – about US$170 million
Tendulkar retired in 2013 with 34,357 international runs and 100 international centuries, yet he still earns heavily from endorsements, business investments and his long association with Mumbai Indians. A decade after his last match, his brand value keeps him at the top of cricket’s rich list. More in our Sachin Tendulkar biography.
2. MS Dhoni – about US$127 million
Dhoni led India to the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy, and won five IPL titles with Chennai Super Kings. Long after his 2020 international retirement, he earns from CSK, a large endorsement portfolio and investments in businesses ranging from fitness and drinks to drones and film production. See his captaincy record.
3. Virat Kohli – about US$125 million
Kohli earns the most of any active cricketer. He is paid ₹21 crore a season by Royal Challengers Bengaluru, has earned more than ₹210 crore from the IPL since 2008, and reportedly makes ₹200–250 crore a year from brand deals including MRF and Puma. He also owns the Wrogn clothing label, One8 Commune restaurants and Chisel Fitness gyms. He retired from T20Is in 2024 and Tests in 2025 but still plays ODIs. Compare him with Sachin in our Kohli vs Tendulkar ODI centuries piece.
4. Ricky Ponting – about US$70 million
Australia’s most successful captain won the 2003 and 2007 World Cups and has built a second career in coaching and commentary. He coached Delhi Capitals and is head coach of Punjab Kings, as well as working with Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket. See most runs for Australia in all formats.
5. Brian Lara – about US$60 million
The West Indies great still holds the record for the highest individual Test score, 400 not out. His income today comes from commentary, coaching and brand work.
6. Jacques Kallis – about US$48 million
Arguably the greatest all-rounder of the modern era, Kallis scored more than 25,000 international runs and took over 500 wickets, and later coached Kolkata Knight Riders.
7. Chris Gayle – about US$45 million
The “Universe Boss” made his fortune as the face of franchise T20 cricket, playing in the IPL, BBL, CPL and almost every other league for more than a decade. He still holds the record for the most sixes in IPL history.
8. Virender Sehwag – about US$40 million
India’s explosive opener earns from commentary, endorsements and the Sehwag International School he set up near Delhi.
9. Shane Watson – about US$40 million
The Australian all-rounder won IPL titles with Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings and now works as a coach and broadcaster.
10. Yuvraj Singh – about US$35 million
The hero of India’s 2011 World Cup win and the man who hit six sixes in an over at the 2007 T20 World Cup has moved into investing through YouWeCan Ventures and joined the Delhi Capitals coaching staff for IPL 2027.
Richest Cricketers 11–20
| # | Cricketer | Country | Net worth (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | AB de Villiers | South Africa | US$35 million |
| 12 | Steve Smith | Australia | US$30 million |
| 13 | Rohit Sharma | India | US$28 million |
| 14 | David Warner | Australia | US$26 million |
| 15 | Ben Stokes | England | US$25 million |
| 16 | Shikhar Dhawan | India | US$24 million |
| 17 | Sunil Gavaskar | India | US$22 million |
| 18 | Kapil Dev | India | US$21 million |
| 19 | Suresh Raina | India | US$20 million |
| 20 | Hardik Pandya | India | US$11–19 million |
Figures from published 2025–26 rankings. Hardik Pandya’s range reflects the gap between our own ₹95–120 crore estimate and higher figures elsewhere.
How the Richest Cricketers Make Their Money
- Brand endorsements: the biggest earner for Indian stars. Kohli’s brand deals alone are reported at ₹200–250 crore a year.
- The IPL: the world’s richest cricket league. Top players earn up to ₹27 crore a season, and Kohli has made over ₹210 crore from it in his career.
- Business and investments: clothing labels, restaurants, gyms, start-up stakes and property, which keep earning after retirement.
- National contracts and match fees: important but smaller than the other sources for the very top names.
- Coaching and commentary: the main income for retired greats such as Ponting, Lara and Kallis.
Note that income and net worth are different. Kohli earns more each year than Dhoni, but Dhoni’s estimated net worth is slightly higher because he has been building it for longer. See which cars these earnings buy in our Indian cricketers car collection.
Richest Cricketers by Country
- Richest Australian cricketers
- Richest cricketers in England
- Richest cricketers in New Zealand
- Richest cricketers in the West Indies
- Richest women cricketers in the world
- Player net worth: Hardik Pandya and Nicholas Pooran
Richest Cricketers FAQ
Who is the richest cricketer in the world in 2026?
Sachin Tendulkar is the richest cricketer in the world by wealth earned from cricket, with an estimated net worth of about US$170 million (₹1,415 crore). Ajay Jadeja is listed higher by some sources, at about ₹1,450 crore, but that comes from a royal inheritance.
Is Ajay Jadeja the richest cricketer in the world?
Only if inherited wealth is counted. Jadeja was named heir to the Nawanagar royal family in October 2024, an inheritance reported at about ₹1,450 crore. Measured by money made from cricket, Sachin Tendulkar is the richest.
Who is richer, MS Dhoni or Virat Kohli?
MS Dhoni is slightly richer, with an estimated net worth of about US$127 million against Virat Kohli’s US$125 million, although Kohli earns more each year from endorsements and the IPL.
What is Virat Kohli’s net worth in 2026?
Virat Kohli’s net worth is estimated at about ₹1,040–1,115 crore (around US$125 million). He earns ₹21 crore a season from RCB and a reported ₹200–250 crore a year from brand deals.
Who is the richest non-Indian cricketer?
Ricky Ponting of Australia, with an estimated net worth of about US$70 million, followed by West Indies great Brian Lara at about US$60 million.
Last updated: 27 October 2026. Net worth figures are estimates. More records in our cricket records index.
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