Former India head coach Ravi Shastri made a shocking revelation about the astronomical income of Team India's icon players. During a candid revelation on the ‘Stick to Cricket’ podcast, hosted by ex-England players Michael Vaughan, Alastair Cook, Phil Tufnell, and David Lloyd. Shastri revealed that icon players like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Sachin Tendulkar earned over ₹100 crore annually during their peak years, mainly from endorsements.
During the conversation Shastri revealed that India’s elite cricketers draw massive income off the field due to their marketability. He said, "They earn a lot. They earn a lot through endorsements, for sure. You know, and upwards of a hundred crores, I would say ten million. You just calculate,"
Shastri spills beans on ad shoot done by cricketers
Shastri further stated that during their prime, Indian cricketers could pack in up to 20 ad shoots a day. He revealed, "Someone like an MS Dhoni or a Virat Kohli or a Sachin Tendulkar in his pomp, they would do over 15–20 ads. And it's per day. There's no time. They could easily do more because of the amount of cricket being played. So, you know, they'll do an ad for a year and give it to us and give a day,"
Endorsements Outshine Salaries
While match fees and central contracts provide a stable income, Shastri emphasized that the real financial windfall comes from brand partnerships. The off-field earnings of top Indian cricketers now rival those of international sports superstars like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
England tighten grip over India
While the conversation around off-field riches was unfolding, England have tightened their grip on the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in Manchester. By stumps on Day 3, England had scored 544/7, leading India by 186 runs.
England's top and middle order rose to the occasion. Joe Root played a masterclass, remaining the pillar of the innings with a superb 150, laced with 14 boundaries. He was well-supported by openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, both of whom chipped in with crucial contributions to build a strong platform. Ben Stokes, fresh off his exploits with the ball, added to India’s woes with a gritty 77* and continues to frustrate the visitors alongside Liam Dawson, who is unbeaten on 21.
