Indian batting superstar Virat Kohli has broken another record, but this time off the field as he has become the highest-paid cricketer in the past 12 months. The Indian batting maestro is the only cricketer among the top 10 highest-earning athletes in the past year.
The Indian cricket icon stands out as the only cricketer on the list of highest-paid sportspersons. Kohli earns a substantial amount of money from endorsements with top brands like Puma and Audi, besides his forays into fitness and fashion through his brands Wrogn and One8.
Virat Kohli becomes the highest-earning cricketer of the year
His significant financial achievement is also backed by his extensive social media influence, apart from receiving a huge salary from BCCI central contracts. Additionally, Kohli owns shares in several companies. According to a recent report by Fortune India, Kohli pays 66 crore Indian rupees in taxes, the highest amount ever paid by an Indian sports figure.
According to a Statista report, Kohli’s staggering earnings of INR 847 crore made him one of the highest-earning athletes in the world in the 12 months between September 1, 2023, and September 1, 2024.
The handsome right-handed hitter’s remarkable financial growth propelled him to ninth place on the overall world list, which includes football and basketball players from around the world.
Virat Kohli has been ranked as the highest-paid cricketer in the world for the past 12 months, according to a report by Statista.
– Your estimated earnings?
A whopping Rs 847 crore! 🔥#ViratKohli #ViratKohli #CristianoRonaldo #CR7 #TrofeoDuleep2024 #India image.twitter.com/aPyOksFVlZ
-Nilesh Biswas (@NileshBiswas18) September 6, 2024
Virat Kohli was the highest-paid cricketer in the world over the past 12 months. (Statista report).
– Kohli’s estimated earnings were INR 847 cr. 🤯 image.twitter.com/byaA8Jkh3T
-Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 6, 2024
Cristiano Ronaldo tops the list of highest-paid sportsmen with Rs 2,081 crore
Meanwhile, football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo leads the table with Rs 2,081 crore. Ronaldo remained the highest-earning sportsperson over the past 12 months, largely due to his recent transfer to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, which has dramatically increased his earnings.
In addition to his lucrative football contract, Ronaldo earns a huge amount of money from sponsorships, collaborations and his huge social media following. In addition, CR7-branded merchandise and various off-field initiatives of the legendary footballer significantly contribute to his top position on the list of the highest-paid athletes of last year.
Well, Virat Kohli is currently on a break and has opted out of playing in the 2024 Duleep Trophy alongside Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah. Kohli was last seen in action in the three-match ODI series in Sri Lanka in July 2024.
The right-handed batsman is expected to return to action in the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh. The series is scheduled to begin on September 19 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, with the second and final Test scheduled in Lucknow from September 27.
You will need to improve your level: Pragyan Ojha on Virat Kohli
Former Indian left-arm spin bowler Pragyan Ojha has advised Kohli to refine his batting strategy to effectively handle the left-arm spin bowlers in the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. Ojha noted that Kohli’s recent performances against left-arm spin bowlers have been less than stellar.
He stressed that even experienced players like Kohli, who have enjoyed a decade-long career, must continuously adapt to new challenges. Ojha believes that true legends evolve with the game and hopes that Kohli makes the necessary adjustments to overcome this particular hurdle.
Ojha said: “There will come a time when there will be different challenges and you will have to improve.”