Cricket is one of the most prestigious sports in the world, and cricketers are highly dedicated to their game. Even during the off-season, they try to keep up with the various upcoming events or are seen working on their fitness.
As cricketers can play the sport to a certain age limit, some of them choose to spend their lives after retirement delving into the different aspects of life.
Let us have a look into those top 5 successful cricketers who stepped into the world of business and have been successful in that field.
1.MS Dhoni
Ventures or business: Mahi Racing Team, Sportsfit World, Dhoni Entertainment Private Limited
Former Indian captain who won the World Cup, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is a sharp-witted businessman. He keeps his sharp brain working in the field as well as in business. He has endorsed different types of business ventures. Outside cricket, he has over 20 endorsements and has invested in various ventures to have a robust entrepreneurial presence.
At first, he stepped into the world of business by buying a Supersports world championship team, Mahi Racing Team, which is co-owned by Akkineni Nagarjuna. After that, he also became the co-owner of Chennaiyin FC with Abhishek Bachchan in ISL. He has also launched a lifestyle brand, Seven, and he owns the footwear section of the brand.
In 2021, MS Dhoni, the top cricketer was announced as the brand ambassador of 7Ink Brews. Moreover, in the same year, Khatabook announced him as one of their investors. Dhoni has also launched a chain of gymnasiums with his old friend and business partner, Arun Pandey, known as Sportsfit World.
One more interesting fact about MS Dhoni stepping into the business world is, last year, reputedly he stepped into the film business industry as well. Dhoni Entertainment Private Limited is set to become a production house soon. MS Dhoni’s net worth is now at 127 million USD which is approximately INR 1040 crores.
2. Virat Kohli
Ventures or business: FC Goa, One8, One8 Commune, Wrogn, Chisel, Blue Tribe
Virat Kohli tops the chart of men cricket as one of the most valued cricketers, and not only that but also in the business empire. He is considered one of the best batters of his time.
He built a new brand of his own when he signed a deal with Puma. The brand is known as One8 based on his jersey number, and this brand is considered one of the leading sports brands in India. Virat later took his brand further and opened a multi-cuisine restaurant known as One8 Commune.
He has also launched his fashion brand Wrogn with Anjana Reddy which provides casual wear for men. Virat is also known as a fitness freak, and he owns a Bangalore-based gymnasium known as Chisel.
Apart from all these, he also owns a plant-based meat product company known as Blue Tribe. FC Goa, ISL, his first business investment as a sportsperson, where he co-owned the football team franchise.
With his successful business ventures, Virat Kohli’s net worth now stands at $126 million which is approximately INR 1050 crore.
3. Kumar Sangakkara & Mahela Jayawardene
Ventures or business: Ministry of Crabs
As we all are well aware of the fact that these two top cricketers’ duo was impeccable on the field, but their partnership is going strong off-field as well. This pair bonds over food which interestingly intrigued the business idea of opening a restaurant.
They started their business journey of opening a seafood restaurant by hiring the renowned Sri Lankan chef Dharshan Munidasa. It has been a hit among the audience since its opening, and the restaurant is popularly known as the Ministry of Crabs.
4. Sachin Tendulkar
Ventures or business: Smaaash, Smarton
Even Sachin Tendulkar opened his restaurant named Tendulkar, but due to poor responses, it was shut down in the year 2009. Though Sachin was endorsing brands, he did not establish any big ventures till the 2000s.
When he was close to his retirement from the men cricket team of India, he started investing in brands, and later he invested in Smaaash, a sports and gaming arena that provides virtual reality-based experiences. Apart from that, an IoT start-up named Smartron was funded by Master Blaster.
Besides that, it is also said that he has invested in Unacademy in the year 2021 as well, and according to the 2021 reports, Sachin Tendulkar’s net worth stands at INR 1250 crores
5. Yuvraj Singh
Ventures or business: YouWeCan, Sports365.in
Yuvraj Singh is the new member of the list of top cricketers turned into businessmen. India’s two-time World Cup winner, and former Indian all-rounder who survived cancer, decided to open up an organization named YouWeCan which has helped hundreds of cancer patients over the years.
He even launched a sports-based e-commerce website known as sports365.in which primarily sells sports equipment. Along with that, Yuvraj himself endorses popular known brands which adds value to his portfolio. Considering all the ventures that he has now, Yuvraj Singh net worth stands at approximately INR 258 crores according to the 2021 reports.
Read More: IPL List Of Orange Cap Winners (2008 – 2024)
