Over the years, cricket has changed a lot in terms of everything like format, tournament, and much more. Cricket has become faster,popular, more exciting for the young crowd, and also became one of the highest paying sports in the world. The cricketers have enormous opportunities to earn well from the international and league tournaments, as well as from their sponsors. Let’s take a look at the top 10 highest paid cricketers of 2019!
Top 10 Highest paid cricketers in 2019.
10. Yuvraj Singh
Total income in 2019: $3.5 Million / ₹23.75 Crores
Team: India and Mumbai Indians
Team: India and Mumbai Indians
9. Michael Clarke
Total income in 2019: $3.9 Million / ₹26.46 Crores
Team: Australia and Sydney Thunder
Team: Australia and Sydney Thunder
8. Gautam Gambhir
Total income in 2019: $4.79 Million / ₹32.50 Crores
Team: India and Delhi Capitals
Team: India and Delhi Capitals
7. Shane Watson
Total income in 2019: $5.5 Million / ₹37.32 Crores
Team: Australia, Chennai Super Kings, and Quetta Gladiators
Team: Australia, Chennai Super Kings, and Quetta Gladiators
6. Shahid Afridi
Total income in 2019: $5.8 Million / ₹39.36 Crores
Team: Pakistan and Dhaka Dynamites
Team: Pakistan and Dhaka Dynamites
5. Virender Sehwag
Total income in 2019: $6.1 Million / ₹41.39 Crores
Team: India and Diamonds XI
Team: India and Diamonds XI
4. AB de Villiers
Total income in 2019: $6.4 Million / ₹43.43 Crores
Team: South Africa and Royal Challengers Bangalore
Team: South Africa and Royal Challengers Bangalore
3. Chris Gayle
Total income in 2019: $7.5 Million / ₹50.89 Crores
Team: West Indies, Multan Sultans, and Kings XI Punjab
Team: West Indies, Multan Sultans, and Kings XI Punjab
2. MS Dhoni
Total income in 2019: $21.7 Million / ₹147.26 Crores
Team: India and Chennai Super Kings
Team: India and Chennai Super Kings
There is no comparison between the top two and the rest eight of the highest paid cricketers in 2019 as the second place holder, MS Dhoni, earns nearly three times of the third place achiever Chris Gayle. He is still the only cricketer ever to rank under 25 in the Forbes List of top-100 highest-paid athletes in 2014. But after his retirement from the international test cricket, his brand value has gone down significantly.
BCCI recently offered MS Dhoni an ‘A category’ annual contract which will earn him more than 5 crores INR this year. Besides, he also bags around 15 crores salary from his current IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings. One of the greatest finisher in the world. Dhoni, earns most of his income from his endorsement deals. His sponsorship portfolio now includes brands like PepsiCo, Reebok, Exide, TVS, GE Money, Dabur, Exide, Lava, and Dream11.
1. Virat Kohli
Total income in 2019: $24 Million / ₹162.87 Crores
Team: India and Royal Challengers Bangalore
Team: India and Royal Challengers Bangalore
The Indian skipper is the only cricketer to be featured in this year’s Forbes list of highest paid athletes. And with a total income of more than $24 million this year, he tops the list of highest paid cricketers in 2019. Often dubbed as one of the greatest cricketer of all time, Kohli, is also one of the most marketable athletes of this year. He is also the only active cricketer to have more than 25 million Twitter followers.
Virat Kohli recently signed an ‘A+ Category’ central contract with BCCI which will earn him more than $1 million this year. Besides, he also signed an improved contract with the IPL side Royal Challengers Bangalore for an astonishing annual salary of $2.6 million. But, most of his earnings generate from his never-ending list of endorsements. His current sponsorship portfolio includes global brands like PepsiCo, Puma, Audi, Tissot, Uber, Oakley, Herbalife, Colgate-Palmolive, and New Era.