Cricket stands as India’s most popular and lucrative sport, with its top players ranking among the wealthiest celebrities in the nation. Surprisingly, the title of the wealthiest cricketer does not belong to cricketing legends like Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, or Virat Kohli; instead, it is Samarjitsinh Gaekwad who holds that distinction. This lesser-known cricketer has surpassed even the likes of Kohli, Dhoni, and Sachin in terms of affluence.
The game has undergone a transformation, becoming increasingly business-oriented, particularly with the advent of franchise cricket. This shift has enabled players to secure mind-boggling deals that exceed what they could ever earn through their international contracts.
Undoubtedly, the cricketers’ greatest share of earnings now comes from brand endorsements and social media. For instance, former Indian captain Virat Kohli commands a staggering 7 crores for each of his Instagram posts, a substantial contribution to his overall net worth of 1000 crores INR, where social media alone accounts for approximately 200 crores INR.
Despite the astounding wealth accumulated by India’s top cricketers, none of them can rival the financial prowess of Samarjitsinh, who has primarily played first-class cricket. The King of Baroda, Samarjitsinh, holds the esteemed title of the world’s wealthiest cricketer, despite his focus on domestic cricket rather than international matches.
On June 22, 2022, at Laxmi Vilas Palace, his fortunes took a turn, significantly altering his financial standing. Renowned for resolving a 23-year-old legal inheritance dispute worth approximately 340 Billion INR, he has made a name for himself.
The wealthiest cricketer possesses ownership of the Laxmi Vilas Palace, a grand residence that surpasses the renowned Buckingham Palace in size by a staggering sixfold.