Cricket holds a special place in the hearts of many Brits, and it’s hugely popular not only in the UK but also across Southeast Asia, West Indies and Australia.
But it’s not just a beloved sport. It is also a massive opportunity for anyone who’s good at it to make a lot of money.
Cricket has produced some of the wealthiest athletes globally, but none come close to Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar.
With a staggering net worth of $170 million (£134 million), Tendulkar is the richest cricketer in the world – worth more than Indian superstar Virat Kohli and England’s Joe Root combined.
Often called the “God of Cricket,” Tendulkar’s career spanned over two decades, during which he set incredible records.
He is the all-time leading run-scorer in both Test and ODI cricket, with over 15,000 and 18,000 runs, respectively.
Tendulkar also holds the record for the most international centuries, a jaw-dropping 100, and received more Player of the Match awards than any other cricketer.
It is, therefore, not surprising that Tendulkar’s dominance on the field translated into incredible financial success.
Beyond match earnings, his endorsements and business ventures have brought him a lot of wealth.
His achievements include captaining India, playing in six World Cups, and finally lifting the trophy in 2011.
For comparison, Virat Kohli, has a net worth of $92 million (£72 million), despite being one of the most famous cricketers.
He has lucrative sponsorship deals and a massive global fan base, but he still falls well short of Tendulkar’s fortune.
Meanwhile, England’s Joe Root, one of the greatest Test batsmen in his country’s history, has a net worth of around £8 million.
Root’s brilliant performances with the bat have earned him a place among cricket’s elite, but his wealth is modest compared to Indian cricket stars who benefit from the financial power of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
