For a cricketer who grew up playing the game, it is everything. He ultimately advanced to the top level to play for his state and was eventually called up to the national team. A cricketer's international career can last anywhere from 5 to 15 years, although injuries or bad form might cut it short.
However, every cricketer's day comes to an end, and he must leave the game at some point. To pay his debts, he needs to search for another source of income. However, there have been a select few who have managed to make the most of the money they get from playing cricket or appearing in advertising for a business and spent it wisely. On that subject, here's a list of Indian cricketers who also happen to be successful entrepreneurs.
1. Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli has wowed cricket fans all over the world as one of the best athletes of the twenty-first century. On the cricket field and beyond, his transformation from a rowdy kid to a rising star has left an indelible mark. Kohli is known for his on-field strategies, but he is also linked to start-ups and entrepreneurship. The 27-year-old owns two businesses: Wrogn, a fashion e-commerce company, and Chisel, a fitness center chain. He's invested in football and tennis, and he uses Fan box to communicate with his fans both online and in person. If you're wondering how serious Kohli is about fitness, sources say he plans to invest $90 million in a chain of gyms and fitness canters, and that's just the beginning.
2. Sachin Tendulkar
The master blaster is always at the top of the list, whether it's about cricket or life after cricket. The owner of 100 international centuries made a billion people's beautiful fantasies a reality. But that isn't all he owns; the legend has a number of businesses in which he has invested. Musafir, a travel company based in the United Arab Emirates, owns a 7.5 percent stake. He also has an 18 percent stake in Smaaash Entertainment, a sports simulation company. He is also a shareholder in a joint venture between the Future Group-Manipal Group. Kerala Blasters, an Indian Super League team, was also co-owned by him.
3. Sourav Ganguly
Sourav Ganguly is one of India's greatest ever captains. He works as a mentor for the Delhi Capitals of the Indian Premier League and is frequently seen in the commentary box. He's also invested in a number of different businesses. However, his first business venture, a restaurant called 'Sourav's—The Food Pavilion,' failed miserably. After that, he put money into Flickstree, a digital start-up. It's a platform that lets users edit content from a variety of free websites. In addition, he is a co-owner of ATK, an ISL team. Despite the fact that he has never won a World Cup, his team has won the ISL twice.
4. MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni, a common man who became known as 'Captain Cool' after winning three ICC trophies for India.MS Dhoni is a co-owner of Chennaiyin FC of the Indian Super League (ISL). He was also a co-owner of the Ranchi Rays, a Hockey India League team. The Ranchi Rays, formerly known as the Ranchi Rhinos, were the league champions in 2015. In 2016, he also launched his lifestyle brand SEVEN. SEVEN is a clothing and footwear company named after his famous jersey number. Dhoni is the owner of SEVEN's footwear division and the company's brand ambassador, which was launched in collaboration with RS Seven Lifestyle (owned by Rhiti Group). MS Dhoni recently invested in and became the brand ambassador for the Bangalore-based startup named Khatabook. Dhoni is said to have invested an undisclosed amount in the startup, which has raised 29 million dollars so far. Small businesses in India can use the app to manage their accounts and ledgers.
5. Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar's on-field achievements have yielded a slew of firsts, including statistics never before seen in Indian cricket. On and off the field, he is a record-breaker. Professional Management Group (PMG), India's first sports marketing firm, was founded by him in 1985. Due to a conflict of interest, the BCCI advised him to choose between his corporate and commentary responsibilities. He chose both because he kept his job as CEO of his company but closed down its player management division, allowing him to work as a commentator.
6. Yuvraj Singh
India's dashing all-rounder, Yuvraj Singh, has made a significant contribution to the country's cricketing achievements. His six sixes in the 2007 T20 World Cup and crucial role in the 2011 World Cup victory are noteworthy. However, in 2005, he was diagnosed with cancer, which he overcame and returned to cricket. However, as his cricket career drew to a close, he shifted his focus to other business ventures. He founded YouWeCan, a firm that specializes in start-up investments. He has invested in a number of companies, including Holosuit, a virtual reality company, and Healthians, a home diagnostics company. YouWeCan also has a clothing line, according to the Economic Times, with sales of Rs 30 crores last year. He has a net worth of nearly Rs 250 crores and is involved in a business that is expected to grow exponentially in the future.
7. Gary Kirsten
Gary Kirsten is a well-known figure in India. He was the most successful coach in Indian cricket history, guiding the team to a World Cup victory after a 28-year wait. Paddy Upton, India's mental health coach, and Gary formed a strong bond while working together. They collaborated to found Performance Zone, a firm that helps businesses and individuals increase productivity. Kirsten has his own website, which is a one-stop-shop for all of the legend's services. Gary Kirsten Academy is a motivational company that works in the same way as Performance Zone. It helps young people get the training they need for their chosen career path. Aside from that, the former Indian coach has a travel agency in South Africa, which he established after finishing his coaching career with the Indian squad.
8. Mahela Jayawardene And Kumar Sangakkara
This one may not catch you off guard as much as the others. The Ministry of Crab seafood restaurant franchise is owned by Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. Dharshan Munidasa, a well-known chef, assisted in the establishment of the restaurant. It began as a small business in Colombo and has since grown to include locations in Mumbai, Shanghai, the Maldives, Bangkok, and Manila. You can only imagine how much money they're making on this dead-on bet.
9. Virendra Sehwag
Sehwag was one of India's most successful opening batsmen, and his career has flourished since he retired. He not only has a large social media following, but he also makes money from it. He has over 20 million Twitter followers and around 30,000 YouTube subscribers. In an interview, he claimed that he earns around $3 million dollars solely from Twitter. In addition to having a large social media presence, he is a regular on Hindi commentary, as well as post- and pre-match broadcasts. A lucrative Star Sports contract for the former Indian opener adds to his fortune. Sehwag also owns the Sehwag International School in Haryana, which has a cricket academy. It's impossible to overlook his numerous brand endorsements.
10. Anil Kumble
In 2010, Anil Kumble and world table tennis player Vasanth Bharadwaj co-founded TENVIC Sports. The company intends to provide structured coaching to help children excel in a sport of their choice. It also provides training and coaching to businesses and athletes, as well as vision and ideas to assist brands to increase their marketing leverage. Schools such as Pearson and Delhi Public School are among their clients. IBM, Weber Shandwick, Accenture, PepsiCo, HP, and others are among the corporate clients.
