Quick answer
Sachin Tendulkar is the richest cricketer in the world in 2026, with an estimated net worth of $170 million (Rs 1,627 crore), according to Business Today (August 2026). MS Dhoni is second at about $127 million (Rs 1,215 crore) and Virat Kohli is third at about $125 million (Rs 1,196 crore), giving Indian players the top three spots.
Last updated: 30 September 2026. Figures are the latest published estimates; see sources below.
Also readTop 10 Richest F1 Drivers of 2026: Net Worth and Pay RankedThis list of the richest cricketers in the world in 2026 ranks current and retired players by estimated personal net worth. Forbes and Hurun do not publish net worth figures for cricketers, so the ranking uses Business Today’s August 2026 estimates, supported by WION and Celebrity Net Worth where Business Today has no figure.
Indian players dominate the list because of endorsements, IPL contracts and business stakes. The biggest change this year is Virat Kohli, whose estimate rose from $92 million in 2025 lists to $125 million. Shane Warne is no longer ranked, and heirs whose wealth comes from family businesses are noted separately.
For scale, Tendulkar’s estimated $170 million is more than twice Ricky Ponting’s $70 million, the highest figure for any player from outside India, and the top three together are worth an estimated $422 million (Rs 4,038 crore). Even so, no cricketer is near billionaire level, which is why Forbes and Hurun do not publish net worth figures for the sport’s players.
At a glance: richest cricketers in the world (2026)
| Rank | Name | Country | Net worth (est.) | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sachin Tendulkar | India | $170 million (Rs 1,627 crore) | Aug 2026 |
| 2 | MS Dhoni | India | $127 million (Rs 1,215 crore) | Aug 2026 |
| 3 | Virat Kohli | India | $125 million (Rs 1,196 crore) | Aug 2026 |
| 4 | Sourav Ganguly | India | $80 million (Rs 762 crore) | 2026 |
| 5 | Ricky Ponting | Australia | $70 million (Rs 670 crore) | Aug 2026 |
| 6 | Brian Lara | West Indies | $60 million (Rs 574 crore) | Aug 2026 |
| 7 | Yuvraj Singh | India | $50 million (Rs 476 crore) | 2026 |
| 8 | Jacques Kallis | South Africa | $48 million (Rs 457 crore) | Jun 2025 |
| 9 (tie) | Virender Sehwag | India | $40 million (Rs 381 crore) | 2026 |
| 9 (tie) | Shane Watson | Australia | $40 million (Rs 381 crore) | Jun 2025 |
Who are the richest cricketers in the world in 2026?
1. Sachin Tendulkar: $170 million (Rs 1,627 crore)
Sachin Tendulkar retired from international cricket in 2013 but remains one of India’s highest-earning endorsers more than a decade later. Business Today estimated his net worth at $170 million (Rs 1,627 crore) in August 2026.
Beyond endorsements, he has built a business portfolio. His ventures include the Sachin Tendulkar Middlesex Global Academy, and he has invested in startups such as Smartron and Spinny.
He is well clear at the top: the gap to No. 2 is more than $40 million (over Rs 400 crore).
Known for: Retiring in 2013 as the most celebrated batter of his generation.
2. MS Dhoni: $127 million (Rs 1,215 crore)
MS Dhoni retired from international cricket in August 2020 but still played IPL 2026 for Chennai Super Kings, which retained him for about $420,000 (Rs 4 crore) as an uncapped player in 2025.
His wealth now rests on investments as much as cricket. He has stakes in real estate, the Chennaiyin FC football club, the Seven lifestyle brand and startups such as Khatabook and Garuda Aerospace.
Business Today estimated his net worth at $127 million (Rs 1,215 crore) in August 2026, just ahead of Virat Kohli.
Known for: Captaining India and Chennai Super Kings.
3. Virat Kohli: $125 million (Rs 1,196 crore)
Virat Kohli retired from T20 internationals in June 2024 and from Tests in May 2025, but still plays ODIs and the IPL. Royal Challengers Bengaluru retained him for about $2.2 million (Rs 21 crore), and he won his first IPL title with the franchise in June 2025.
He co-founded the Wrogn clothing brand and the One8 brand with Puma, and endorses companies including MRF, Audi and Tissot.
His estimate is the biggest riser on this list: WION had him at $92 million in June 2025, while Business Today put him at $125 million (Rs 1,196 crore) in August 2026.
Known for: Winning the IPL with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in June 2025.
4. Sourav Ganguly: $80 million (Rs 762 crore)
Sourav Ganguly captained India and later served as BCCI president from 2019 to 2022. His income now comes from commentary, TV hosting, including the Bengali quiz show “Dadagiri”, and endorsements.
His figure is a Celebrity Net Worth estimate of $80 million, converted to about Rs 762 crore at Rs 95.24 to the dollar. It is less recent than the Business Today figures for the top three.
He remains one of the most recognised faces in Indian cricket administration and media.
Known for: Leading India’s revival as captain in the early 2000s.
5. Ricky Ponting: $70 million (Rs 670 crore)
Ricky Ponting is Australia’s most successful captain and the richest non-Indian cricketer on this list. Business Today estimated his net worth at $70 million (Rs 670 crore) in August 2026.
After retiring he moved into commentary and coaching. He has been head coach of Punjab Kings in the IPL since 2025, and he also earns from endorsements.
His Punjab Kings role keeps him closely tied to the IPL and its large Indian audience.
Known for: Being Australia’s most successful captain.
6. Brian Lara: $60 million (Rs 574 crore)
Brian Lara holds the record for the highest individual Test score, 400 not out in 2004. He is the only West Indian on this list.
His income today comes from commentary, coaching roles and endorsements. Business Today estimated his net worth at $60 million (Rs 574 crore) in August 2026.
His place in the top 10 shows how a playing career from before the IPL era can still translate into long-term earnings through media work.
Known for: The 400 not out, still the highest score in Test cricket.
7. Yuvraj Singh: $50 million (Rs 476 crore)
Yuvraj Singh won the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 World Cup with India. After retiring he founded YouWeCan Ventures, an investment fund backing startups.
His endorsements have included Puma. His figure is a Celebrity Net Worth estimate of $50 million, which converts to about Rs 476 crore at Rs 95.24 to the dollar.
He is one of several Indian players in this list whose wealth now depends as much on investments as on cricket.
Known for: Winning two World Cups with India, in 2007 and 2011.
8. Jacques Kallis: $48 million (Rs 457 crore)
Jacques Kallis is South Africa’s leading all-rounder and one of the most complete players of his era. WION, using Celebrity Net Worth data, put his net worth at $48 million in June 2025, about Rs 457 crore at current rates.
Since retiring he has earned from coaching and commentary. He was head coach of Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL from 2015 to 2019.
His figure is older than most on this list, so treat it as a 2025 estimate.
Known for: Being South Africa’s leading all-rounder.
9. Virender Sehwag: $40 million (Rs 381 crore)
Virender Sehwag was the first Indian to score a Test triple century, making 309 against Pakistan in 2004. That aggressive style made him one of India’s most marketable openers.
He now runs the Sehwag International School and works as a commentator. His figure is a Celebrity Net Worth estimate of $40 million, about Rs 381 crore at Rs 95.24 to the dollar.
He is tied with Shane Watson, and his figure is the lowest of the Indian players in this top 10.
Known for: India’s first Test triple century and fearless opening batting.
9. Shane Watson: $40 million (Rs 381 crore)
Shane Watson won the IPL twice, with Rajasthan Royals in 2008 and Chennai Super Kings in 2018. The league played a large part in his earnings late in his career.
He now earns from coaching and commentary. WION, using Celebrity Net Worth data, put his net worth at $40 million in June 2025, which is about Rs 381 crore at current rates.
Like Kallis, his figure dates from 2025, so treat it as an older estimate.
Known for: Two IPL titles with two different franchises.
IPL salary records: the most expensive players
IPL contracts are a major reason Indian and overseas stars earn so much. The record auction bid is still Rishabh Pant’s $2.8 million (Rs 27 crore) from Lucknow Super Giants at the November 2024 mega auction for IPL 2025.
| Player | Team | Price | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rishabh Pant | Lucknow Super Giants | $2.8 million (Rs 27 crore), all-time record | Nov 2024 (IPL 2025) |
| Cameron Green | Kolkata Knight Riders | $2.6 million (Rs 25.20 crore), overseas record | 16 Dec 2025 (IPL 2026) |
| Virat Kohli | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | $2.2 million (Rs 21 crore) | Retention |
| Matheesha Pathirana | Kolkata Knight Riders | $1.9 million (Rs 18 crore) | 16 Dec 2025 (IPL 2026) |
| Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer | Chennai Super Kings | $1.5 million (Rs 14.20 crore) each, uncapped | 16 Dec 2025 (IPL 2026) |
Cameron Green’s $2.65 million (Rs 25.20 crore) bid at the IPL 2026 mini auction in Abu Dhabi made him the most expensive overseas player in IPL history, beating Mitchell Starc’s $2.60 million (Rs 24.75 crore). Under the overseas-player salary cap he receives $1.9 million (Rs 18 crore), and the rest goes to the BCCI’s player development programme, according to Business Standard.
Just outside the top 10
- Rohit Sharma: estimates conflict. WION (August 2025) put him at about $24 million (Rs 230 crore), and Celebrity Net Worth says $25 million on an outdated page. Either way he sits just below the top 10.
- Chris Gayle: estimated $45 million (about Rs 429 crore) in some lists.
- Shane Warne: listed at $50 million in WION’s 2025 list but excluded here as an estate; he died in 2022.
- Hardik Pandya and AB de Villiers: no reliable net worth estimate found, so we have not given a figure.
- Aryaman Birla: son of Aditya Birla Group chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla, who played 9 first-class matches for Madhya Pradesh and was in the Rajasthan Royals squad in 2018 before stepping away in December 2019. Reports citing Hurun put his wealth at $7.3 billion (Rs 70,000 crore) or more, but this is family and group-linked wealth, not cricket earnings, so he is not ranked.
What changed in 2026
- Virat Kohli’s estimate rose from $92 million (WION, June 2025) to $125 million (Rs 1,196 crore) (Business Today, August 2026).
- Shane Warne is removed from the ranking as an estate.
- Sourav Ganguly and Yuvraj Singh are included on Celebrity Net Worth figures.
- Rohit Sharma, at about $24 million (Rs 230 crore), sits just outside the top 10.
- Cameron Green set an overseas IPL auction record at $2.6 million (Rs 25.20 crore), while Rishabh Pant’s $2.8 million (Rs 27 crore) remains the all-time record.
How we ranked this list
We ranked cricketers by estimated personal net worth. The main source is Business Today (8 August 2026), which uses Celebrity Net Worth-based estimates; WION (June 2025) and Celebrity Net Worth fill gaps, with Celebrity Net Worth treated as a secondary source. US dollar figures come first, with rupees in brackets, at Business Today’s rate of $1 = Rs 95.24; where a source gave only one currency, including IPL auction fees, we converted at the same rate. Estimates are not audited and change with contracts, endorsements and markets.
Related reads
- Top 25 richest athletes in the world by net worth
- Forbes highest-paid athletes of 2026
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Frequently asked questions
Who is the richest cricketer in the world in 2026?
Sachin Tendulkar, with an estimated net worth of about $170 million (Rs 1,627 crore), per Business Today (August 2026).
How much is MS Dhoni worth?
About $127 million (Rs 1,215 crore), estimated by Business Today in August 2026. He still played IPL 2026 for Chennai Super Kings.
How much is Virat Kohli worth in 2026?
About $125 million (Rs 1,196 crore), estimated by Business Today in August 2026, up from $92 million in WION’s June 2025 list.
What is the most an IPL team has paid for a player?
$2.8 million (Rs 27 crore), paid by Lucknow Super Giants for Rishabh Pant at the November 2024 mega auction for IPL 2025.
Who was the most expensive player at the IPL 2026 auction?
Cameron Green, bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for $2.6 million (Rs 25.20 crore) on 16 December 2025, a record for an overseas player. Under the salary cap he receives $1.9 million (Rs 18 crore).
Is Aryaman Birla the richest cricketer?
Some reports call him that, citing Hurun estimates of $7.3 billion (Rs 70,000 crore) or more, but that is family wealth linked to the Aditya Birla Group, not cricket earnings. He stepped away from cricket in December 2019.
Sources
- Business Today, How the world’s richest cricketers built their wealth in 2026 (8 Aug 2026)
- WION, World’s richest cricketers list (Jun 2025)
- WION, Rohit Sharma net worth (Aug 2025)
- Business Standard, Top 20 most expensive players in IPL 2026 mini auction (Dec 2025)
- ESPNcricinfo, KKR buy Cameron Green for Rs 25.20 crore (Dec 2025)
- Storyboard18, MS Dhoni to play IPL 2026
- Celebrity Net Worth, Sourav Ganguly
- Celebrity Net Worth, Yuvraj Singh
- Free Press Journal, Who is Aryaman Birla
Featured image: Photo: Flying Cloud from Australia / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Net worth figures are estimates based on public data and change with contracts, endorsements and markets; they are not audited. US dollar and rupee figures use $1 = Rs 95.24.
