Cricket, which is the second most played sport in the current universe after football, has become one of the most lucrative sports in the world. The game’s biggest stars are earning far beyond the boundary ropes. The match fees, these days, have gone over the roof and are just a very small portion of their income. And Virat Kohli perhaps sits at the top in this aspect among the active players. 

Apart from the match fees, there are brand endorsements, business ventures, investments, social media deals, and the franchise leagues around the world, which have several players building fortunes worth hundreds of crores, while in some cases, it may move up to thousands of crores.

But the million-dollar question remains: who is the richest cricketer in the world? Is it an active superstar like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, or a former legendary player whose business empire has taken his wealth to another level? The answer may not be what one would expect. 

From the World Cup winners and the Indian Premier League (IPL) legends to the global brand ambassadors, these players have turned their success into enormous wealth and property. Some have built companies, a few have invested wisely, while a few will continue to dominate endorsement charts years after their retirements.

Top 10 richest cricketers in the world — Ranked by net worth

Here are the top 10 richest cricketers in the world based on their estimated net worth, considering the earnings from the game, endorsements, businesses, investments, and other income sources. Every name on the list has created a legacy not just on the field but also in the business world.

So, who tops the list, and where do stars like Kohli, Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, Chris Gayle, and Rohit Sharma rank? Let’s dive into the list and find out who is the game’s current richest superstar-

#10 AB de Villiers (South Africa)- Approx. INR 306 crore-

The former South African captain, AB de Villiers, who is renowned as Mr. 360, is one of the richest players of the country. The veteran, who retired from international cricket in 2021, became the eighth player from the side to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2024. His net worth is estimated to be nearly INR 306 crore. 

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De Villiers, who has played around the globe across the three formats for a long time, was also a prominent figure in the IPL and got paid a high salary from the Royal Challengers Bengaluru for most of the past. He has also collaborated with various brands like Sneaker LAB, Supply6, MRF, Mont Blanc, and Wrong, and he has also invested in areas like design, sales and marketing, and commerce and shopping.

#9 Shane Watson (Australia)- Approx. INR 348 crore-

One of the top all-rounders of his time, Shane Watson, who led the Australian side in the shortest format, is one of the top 10 wealthiest cricketers in the world. He hung up his shoes from international cricket in 2016 after the T20 World Cup 2016, where he faced India in the last game in Mohali. He was a crucial part of their two World Cup-winning sides in 2007 and 2015.

Watson became the ninth highest-paid cricketer of all-time. His net worth is around INR 348 crore, and he made a substantial amount of money from the central cricket contracts and the IPL contracts, where he played for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He also played in various leagues in Pakistan, the West Indies, and other places.

Watson continued to earn through commentary, analysis, coaching, and business ventures. He also invested in real estate by purchasing and is a brand ambassador for the Indian Protein brand FitFeast since 2025.

#8 Virender Sehwag (India)- Approx. INR 348 crore-

The former Indian opening batter, Virender Sehwag, is among the list of the richest players in India. He represented the national side between 1999 and 2013 and was widely known as one of the most aggressive batters of the game, who changed the approach of openers against the new ball.

See Also: Smriti Mandhana Net Worth 2026: Salary, Endorsements & Income

Sehwag, who is one of the only four batters in the history of the game to score two triple centuries (300+) in Tests, has a net worth of nearly INR 348 crore. Most of his earnings came through international cricket contracts and the IPL during his playing career. Sehwag, apart from this, has endorsed brands like Boost, Hero Honda, and ADIDAS.  

In Haryana, he has established the Sehwag International School and invested in startups like T9L QUBE. His foundation works as a philanthropic organization as it focuses on offering quality education, sports training, and aid to underprivileged children in India.

#7 Chris Gayle (West Indies)- Approx. INR 393 crore-

The former West Indies opener, Chris Gayle, who called himself the ‘Universe Boss’, was the most brutal player of his time in the shortest format. But along with smashing 14562 runs in 455 T20 innings at a strike rate of 144.75, he also played 103 Tests and 301 ODIs for the West Indies. 

Gayle, who was a regular member in the IPL for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) side between 2011 and 2016, has a net worth of nearly INR 393 crore. His massive property makes him one of the richest players of all time. He has multiple contracts and collaborations with several brands. 

Gayle owns the sports bar named ‘Triple Century 333’ in Jamaica and has also invested in real estate properties. He also invested in IONA Entertainment and FlipAR.

#6 Jacques Kallis (South Africa)- Approx. INR 419 crore-

The most premier all-rounder of the game, South Africa's Jacques Kallis, did everything a player could have done in Tests and ODIs. In the longest format, he collected 13289 runs and picked up 292 wickets, while in the ODI format, the 50-year-old bagged 11579 runs and 273 wickets.

Kallis, who won a total of 23 Player of the Match awards to be at the top in the qualification, has a net worth of nearly INR 419 crore, making him sixth on the list. Just like the other players, he also had international contracts and IPL contracts and partnered with major brands like Slazenger, Pepsi, Reebok, and Advance Hair Studio India.

#5 Brian Lara (West Indies)- Approx. 524 crore-

The former West Indies captain, Brian Lara, is one of the top 10 richest players in the world. Coming from Port of Spain and known as ‘The Prince’, he is regarded as one of the top 10 batters in the world and had a net worth of nearly INR 524 crores.

Lara holds the record for the highest individual score in Tests, when he smashed an unbeaten 400 runs against England, before getting an unbeaten 501 runs in County Cricket. He also partnered with various companies like CA Sports and MRF and has his own eyewear line known as the Brian Lara Vision Collection.

See Also: MS Dhoni turns 45: Net worth, salary & endorsements inside

The eyewear was designed by Ferreria Optical Ltd in collaboration with the batter, who is also engaged in several charity works, such as the foundation named Pearl and Bunty Lara Foundation, which keeps an eye on health and social care.

#4 Ricky Ponting (Australia)- Approx. INR 612 crore-

The former World Cup-winning captain of the Australian side, Ricky Ponting, had a net worth of nearly INR 612 crore and has worked as a coach and commentator after ending his playing career. He is the richest Australian cricketer of all time.

Ponting, who played in the IPL, became the coach of Delhi Capitals (DC) and currently Punjab Kings (PBKS), and announced his international retirement in 2012. He is a premier commentator and has tied up with various brands like Pura Milk, Rexona, ADIDAS, and others.

#3 MS Dhoni (India)- Approx INR 1040 crore-

The former Indian captain, MS Dhoni, is the third richest player in the world, and he has been the most successful captain in ICC events from the country, having won all three major ICC titles, including the ODI World Cup 2011, T20 World Cup 2007, and the Champions Trophy 2013.

In 2020, Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket but continued to feature in the IPL for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). His net worth is estimated to be around INR 1040 crore, as Dhoni's wealth comes from the combination of his high-value IPL contracts, strong earnings from brand endorsements and investments in startups, fitness, and production.

In Ranchi, Dhoni owns a hotel called Hotel Mahi Residency, as it reflects his interest in the hotel industry. In 2010, he founded the MS Dhoni Charitable Foundation, which empowers underprivileged children.

#2 Virat Kohli (India)- Approx. INR 1000-1050 crore-

Another former Indian captain, Virat Kohli, is the second richest cricketer of the world currently and has a net worth of around INR 1050 crore. Starting his international career in 2008, Kohli has broken several records across the three formats in his long-lasting career. Having already retired from T20Is and Tests, he is available only in ODIs.

Kohli has signed high-value IPL contracts and received a high-paying BCCI salary, and has done collaborations with brands like Audi, Puma, and MRF along with owning a restaurant chain called One8 Commune.

See Also: Virat Kohli Business Empire 2026 — Full list of brands he owns and endorses

The Delhi-born has also invested in startups like Blue Tribe, Universal Sportsbiz and Digit Insurance besides being a philanthropist in the Virat Kohli Foundation, which works closely with other NGOs to support underprivileged children to get access to education, healthcare, and sports training.

#1 Sachin Tendulkar (India)- Approx. 1300-1400 crore-

Named as ‘God of Cricket’, ‘Master Blaster’, and ‘Little Master’, Sachin Tendulkar had a 24-year-long playing career between 1989 and 2013. It has been over a decade since he retired from international cricket. Tendulkar made investments in several business ventures and sports-related franchises and has been quite successful when it comes to generating wealth beyond his playing salary.

Sachin runs a foundation known as the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation with his wife, Dr. Anjali Tendulkar. His foundation supports underprivileged children through sports, Health, and Education. He is a true icon whose legacy has been built on his talent, integrity, and compassion for the young generation.

Top 10 richest cricketers in the world- FAQs

Scoring fastest hundreds in the ODIs isn’t an easy job. A batter will need to start aggressively, coming early in the innings and taking advantage of the first 10 overs, where only two fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard ring. India’s current captain of the ODIs, Shubman Gill, gets his name in the fifth position of the list as the Indian captain. 

The 50-over formats always provide the best chance for batters to take their time in an innings, get settled as per the surface, conditions, and the opposition for the game, and then show their natural approach with the bat. For the top order batters, it becomes easier to tackle the situation.

Gill has been in tremendous form in the last couple of weeks. During the second qualifier of the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 for the Gujarat Titans (GT) against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, the right-handed batter smashed a fine century to shoulder his side to their third final.

A week after the end of the tournament, he led the Indian side in the one-off Test against Afghanistan at the same venue and cracked a dashing knock of 126 runs to contribute to their biggest win in the history of red-ball cricket.  

The Punjab-born followed it up with an unbeaten knock of 84 runs against the same opposition in Dharamsala during the opening ODI of the three-match series before smashing a fine knock of 154 runs off just 110 balls at a strike rate of 140, thanks to 22 boundaries and a pair of sixes.

At the start of his career, Gill wasn’t renowned for showing his aggressive batting. But over the years, as the eras have changed, the right-handed batter has developed his batting skills.

He got his name in the record book against Afghanistan through the supreme knock in the heat, the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, as the hosts joined South Africa in getting the most number (8) of 400s in the ODIs.

The full ranked list — Top 5 fastest ODI centuries by Indian captains in balls faced

India have always been blessed with their strong top order. They have several batters, who have used their aggression to smash the bowlers around the park in the ODIs and break some incredible records. Here is the list of the top five fastest ODI centuries by the Indian captains in terms of balls faced-

#5 Shubman Gill- 77 balls vs Afghanistan, Lucknow 2026

With India opting to go with Yashasvi Jaiswal at the opening position with Rohit Sharma, Gill had to demote himself to number three. Walking out to bat in the third over of the innings, the right-handed batter broke the jail with a flurry of boundaries around the park and celebrated his half-century off just 38 balls with a massive six. It was his sixth 50+ score in home ODIs since Jan 2024 out of seven innings.

See Also: Watch: Gill's one-handed catch — IND vs AFG 1st ODI 2026

In the previous game, Gill became the second-fastest to reach 3000 runs in the 50-over format. He continued the same style of batting in Lucknow against Afghanistan and brought up his ninth 50-over hundred in just 77 balls.

That became the fifth fastest century for India as the captain of the side in terms of balls being faced. That was also the fifth fastest ODI century against Afghanistan as his partner, Ishan Kishan, found himself in the third rank of the list in just 71 balls.

Gill, after smashing the third fastest ODI 150 for India off 108 balls, was dismissed on 154 runs in 110 balls, with the help of 22 boundaries and a pair of sixes as the national side ended up with 402 in 49.5 overs of the innings.

Brief Scores- India 402 (Shubman Gill 154, Ishan Kishan 125, Nangeyalia Kharoti 4/76) vs Afghanistan 232 (Rahmat Shah 79, Arshdeep Singh 3/45) by 170 runs. 

#4 Rohit Sharma- 76 balls vs England, Cuttack 2025-

It was the second ODI game of the series between India and England at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. The visitors posted a good score of 304 runs, thanks to a couple of half-centuries from Ben Duckett and Joe Root and a late flourish from their lower order.

India needed a good start and someone to stay till the end of the chase to take them home. Rohit Sharma provided them with an aggressive start inside the power play. He smashed his 332nd six during the contest to overtake Chris Gayle in the ODIs and never backed down to celebrate the half-century off just 30 balls. 

Despite losing two successive wickets in the contest, the opening batter kept nailing the spinners and pacers around the ground, creating massive pressure on the opposition captain to make several changes in the field.

See Also: From Manav Suthar to Rohit Sharma: Indian POTM on Test debut

Finally, he reached his 32nd century off just 76 balls with a huge six. He soaked up the applause by raising his bat. There was a lot of criticism going around due to his poor form in the longest format, but once it came to the ODIs, Rohit showed his class. He was dismissed for 119 runs off 90 balls at a strike rate of 132.22, thanks to 12 boundaries and seven sixes.

“It was good, really enjoyed being out there, scoring some runs for the team. Important game, series on the line. I broke it into pieces how I wanted to bat. It's a format that is longer than T20 cricket and a lot shorter than Tests.” The former Indian ODI captain expressed.

Brief Scores- India 308/6 (Rohit 119, Shubman Gill 60, Jamie Overton 2/27) beat England 304 (Joe Root 69, Ben Duckett 65, Ravindra Jadeja 3/35) by four wickets.

#3 Virat Kohli- 76 balls vs Sri Lanka, Colombo 2017

It was the fourth ODI of the five-match series in 2017 between Sri Lanka and India at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The visitors didn’t make a great start with the bat, losing Shikhar Dhawan on the ninth delivery of the innings. Walking at number three, Virat Kohli looked to be on a mission.

The right-handed batter put his feet on the accelerator early and celebrated his half-century off just 38 balls with a single as Rohit was only on 20 off 22 balls by then. Akila Dhananjaya put the Indian batting line-up under pressure on many occasions of the series, but Kohli’s eyes were telling a story.

See Also: Watch: "No idea how that happened" — Virat Kohli on his most adrenaline-charged IND vs PAK moment

It took the then Indian captain only 76 balls to reach his 29th ODI century with a boundary into the on-side as he raised his bat to thank the crowd. The veteran ended up with 131 runs off just 96 balls at a strike rate of 136.46, thanks to 17 boundaries and two sixes.

“It was one of the good games for us. We spoke about not getting complacent at any stage, and today was a clinical performance. Today was about doing things the way we wanted to do, and I think it is a very satisfying day.” Kohli noted at the end of the game.

Brief Scores- 375/5 (Virat Kohli 131, Rohit Sharma 104, Angelo Matthew 2/24) beat Sri Lanka 207 (Angelo Matthews 70, Kuldeep Yadav 2/31) by 168 runs.

#2 Virender Sehwag- 69 balls vs West Indies, Indore 2011

It was the famous ODI encounter between India and the West Indies in 2011 at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore, where the former Indian opening batter and the captain of the side for the game, Virender Sehwag, celebrated a double-hundred in the 50-over game. 

It was only the second such score back then, followed by Sachin Tendulkar, who achieved the landmark in 2010 at Gwalior. Sehwag smashed the pacers, including Kemar Roach and Ravi Rampaul, around the ground and celebrated his century off just 69 balls. That was the fastest century by an Indian captain during that period.

See Also: Virender Sehwag and his wife Aarti divorced due to new BCCI President? Know full story

The Delhi-born ended up with 219 runs off just 149 balls at a strike rate of 146.98 with the help of 25 boundaries and seven sixes as India posted a huge score of 418/5 and earned a huge win by 153 runs.

Brief Scores- India 418/5 (Virender Sehwag 219, Gautam Gambhir 67, Andre Russell 1/63) beat West Indies 265 (Dinesh Ramdin 96, Rahul Sharma 3/34) by 153 runs.

#1 Rohit Sharma-63 balls vs Afghanistan, Delhi in 2023-

It was the clash between India and Afghanistan during the ODI World Cup 2023 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. In the chase of 273 runs, the home side went off to a flying start thanks to Rohit, who notched up the joint-fastest 1000 runs in World Cups of just 19 innings. The right-handed batter celebrated his fifty in just 30 balls and continued the same aggressive approach.

In the blink of an eye, the veteran nailed the fastest century in the World Cups off just 63 balls. It was also the fastest century by an Indian captain in the ODIs as he followed it up with a six on the very next delivery. He was dismissed for 131 runs off 84 balls at a strike rate of 155.95, with 16 boundaries and five sixes.

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With that century, Rohit went past Ricky Ponting’s 30 centuries in ODIs. It was also his seventh century in ODI WCs, overtaking Sachin Tendulkar’s six. It was also his 29th ODI century as the opener and the fifth fastest for India.

Brief Scores- India 273/2 (Rohit Sharma 131, Virat Kohli 55*, Rashid Khan 2/57) beat Afghanistan 272/8 (Hashmatullah Shahidi 80, Azmatullah Omarzai 62, Jasprit Bumrah 4/39) by eight wickets.

Top 5 fastest ODI hundreds ever scored by an Indian captain- FAQ

India have always had the privilege of some incredible openers in almost every era of international cricket, and it’s set to continue in the future too. From the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag’s aggressive approach in the 50-over format in the past, the blue brigade has shifted to many opening combinations. 

In the golden era of the Indian side in the 50-over format, they relied heavily on Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, who broke numerous records for the two-time champions. When it comes to the longest format, Murli Vijay has done a tremendous job with Dhawan while they have shifted to the new generation of players, including Yashasvi Jaiswal and Lokesh Rahul.

Rohit and Dhawan are equally good in this position for the T20I cricket. It’s never easy to be an opener in any format of the game. They always need to shoulder the responsibility of smashing the big shots and offering a strong platform to the middle order in the 50-over and 20-over games.

In the 90s, the Test openers used to leave as many balls as they could to make it old and create comfort for the upcoming batters. However, the mindset changed with the arrival of Sehwag, who used to smash the bowlers from the very first session of a Test match and get the runs to put the pressure back on the opposition side. After Sehwag’s retirement, Dhawan, and currently Jaiswal, have taken the same route.

Who holds the record? India's highest run-scorer as an opener might surprise you

Some of the opening batters have enjoyed playing in the powerplay as they can go after the bowlers with only two fielders being outside the 30-yard circle in the ODIs and the T20Is. It’s an added advantage. Here are the top five players with the most runs as an opener for the Indian side in international cricket (across the three formats of ODIs, T20Is, and Tests)-

#5 Shikhar Dhawan- 10867 runs as an opener across formats for India-

Shikhar Dhawan is the fifth leading run-getter as an opener for the Indian side in international cricket. The left-handed batter has smashed 10867 runs in 288 innings at an average of nearly 40, thanks to 24 centuries and 55 half-centuries at the best score of 190 runs. Overall, he has got 11 ducks across the three formats.

Dhawan has been decent in the longest format of the game for the blue brigade. The southpaw is the ninth leading run-scorer at the opening position for the national side with 2315 runs in 58 innings at an average of 40.61, thanks to seven centuries and five fifties at the best score of 190 runs, which came on his debut against Australia. 

The Delhi-born is also the fifth-highest run-getter as the opening batter for the Indian side in the 50-over format. He nailed 6793 runs in 164 innings at an average of 44.11 and a strike rate of 91.35, thanks to 17 centuries and 39 half-centuries at the best score of 143 runs.

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In the same qualification, Dhawan is India’s third leading run-getter in the shortest format, having clubbed 1759 runs in 66 innings at an average of 27.92 and a strike rate of 126.36, with the help of 11 fifties at the best score of 92 runs.

Shikhar Dhawan’s record across formats as opener for India-

#4 Sunil Gavaskar- 12258 runs as an opener across formats for India-

In the 90s, there was one batter India used to depend on a lot in the longest format. Sunil Gavaksar. He was one of the greatest opening batters of all time, certainly the most successful. His game was built around the perfect technique and powers of concentration, both of which were important in an era of no helmets and no limitation of bouncers.

It's hard to visualize a more beautiful defense, which is virtually unbreachable, as it made his wicket among the hardest to earn. He played with power both in the front and back foot with the phenomenal judgement of the length and line.

Gavaskar has been India’s fourth leading run-getter as the opener in international cricket. He has smashed 12258 runs in 286 innings at an average of 46.08, having bagged 34 centuries and 67 half-centuries at the best score of 221 runs against the West Indies side.

See Also: Gavaskar backs Sooryavanshi for India T20Is after IPL 2026 Eliminator

Specifically, in the longest format, the Mumbai batter nailed 9607 runs, remaining India’s highest run-getter at the opening position. He averaged 50.29 with 33 centuries and 42 half-centuries at the best score of 221.

The right-handed batter didn’t get the same success, though, in the ODIs with 2651 runs in 83 innings at an average of 35.34. His lone century was turned into 103* along with 25 half-centuries. And there were no T20Is in that era.

Sunil Gavaskar’s record across formats as opener for India-

#3 Sachin Tendulkar- 15335 runs as opener across formats for India-

Is there any record in the world that Sachin Tendulkar hasn’t achieved in the batting department? No matter which record is being highlighted, Tendulkar always finds himself among the top batters. He didn’t start his career as a prolific opener, but once he moved to the position, the records started to come one after another.

Sachin is India’s third leading run-getter for the Indian side in international cricket. The right-handed batter has smashed 15335 runs in 342 innings across the three formats at an average of 48.07. He has celebrated 45 centuries and 75 half-centuries in this order. It’s the joint-most centuries across formats for India.

See Also: Watch: Sachin plays cricket with family mid-flight — Viral video

Tendulkar opened the batting in the longest format only once and returned with 15 runs in 2004. He mostly batted in the middle order of the blue brigade.

In the 50-over format, Tendulkar started as the opening batter in the early 2000s and ended in the position even after nearly 13 years. He is by far the most successful player as the opener in ODIs with 15310 runs in 340 innings at an average of 48.29 and a strike rate of 88.04, thanks to 45 centuries and 75 half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 200 in Gwalior against the South Africa side. 

Sachin Tendulkar’s record across formats as opener for India-

#2 Virender Sehwag- 15758 runs across formats for India as opener- 

If there is one player who changed the perception of openers across the formats of the game for the Indian side, then it’s Virender Sehwag. He used to play some fancy upper cuts and other shots around the park without any fear, which showed a different way to the opening batters.

He has been India’s second leading run-getter across formats as the opener, having smacked 15758 runs in 388 innings at a fine average of 41.90, with the help of 36 centuries and 65 half-centuries at the best score of 319 runs.

See Also: Virender Sehwag and his wife Aarti divorced due to new BCCI President? Know full story

In the Tests, irrespective of the conditions, he used to play with an aggressive approach, even against the new ball. He finished as India’s second leading run-getter in the red-ball format with 8124 runs in 168 innings at an average of more than 50, which was a fabulous record, thanks to 22 centuries and 29 half-centuries at the best score of 319.

In terms of the ODI format, Sehwag used to start the game with the boundary on the very first ball of an innings. He drilled 7240 runs in 202 innings of the 50-over cricket with 14 centuries and 34 fifties, at an average of 36.93.

The Delhi-born was part of just 18 innings in the shortest format with 394 runs at a strike rate of more than 145, with two fifties at the best score of 68 runs.

Virender Sehwag’s record across formats as opener for India-

#1 Rohit Sharma- 15994 runs as opener across formats for India 

Rohit Sharma was in the middle order of the Indian side when he made his debut in the 20-over and 50-over games. It was the same case when he played his maiden Test against the West Indies in Kolkata in 2013. But once he made his way into the opening position during the 2013 Champions Trophy, his career took an aggressive turn.

Rohit is India’s leading run-getter across formats as the opener. He has smashed 16010 runs in 384 innings at an average of 45.22, having collected 45 centuries and 83 half-centuries at the best score of 264 runs, which came in an ODI against Sri Lanka in Kolkata.

See Also: Top 5 memorable innings of Rohit Sharma in IPL - Cricket Winner

In the longest format, the Mumbai batter has drilled 2697 runs in 66 innings at an average of 42.80 with nine centuries and eight fifties at the best score of 212 against South Africa. In the ODIs, he has scored 9563 runs in 194 innings at an average of 54.43, with 31 centuries and 48 fifties. 

In the shortest format, the Nagpur-born finished as India’s leading run-scorer with 3750 runs in 124 innings at an average of 32.60 and a strike rate of 143.02, thanks to five centuries and 27 fifties at the best score of unbeaten 121 runs.

Rohit Sharma’s record as opener across formats for India-

Top 5 run-getters for India as opener in International cricket- FAQs

Lucknow Super Giants, experiencing their fifth successive defeat of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 against the Kolkata Knight Riders, have dropped down at the bottom of the points table with just two victories in eight clashes at a net run rate of -1.106 as the pressure mounted massively on the Rishabh Pant-led side. 

In the first innings, LSG restricted the Knight Riders to 73/6 before the visitors finished with 155/7 in their 20 overs, thanks to an unbeaten knock of 83 runs in 51 balls by Rinku Singh. Lucknow wasn’t in the chase till the death overs before Mohammed Shami’s last over six pushed the game to the super over.

Virender Sehwag questions key decisions after defeat

The former Indian opener, Virender Sehwag, has slammed the LSG management after they failed in another chase. The veteran has struggled to understand how the Rishabh Pant-led side continued to bowl first after winning the toss. 

“LSG hasn’t been able to chase. I failed to understand why they always win the toss and decide to chase. I mean, they have the director of cricket, the coach, and a strategist. So, can’t they understand they had been trying to chase all the time?” Sehwag expressed on Cricbuzz.

Watch the video here: 

Sehwag Slams Lucknow Decisions 🤯

Who’s Making the Calls❓🤔 #IPL2026 #LSGvKKR @GoogleIndia pic.twitter.com/T8Jur3eaFW

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) April 27, 2026

“If they had put up a score of 150 odd, wouldn’t it put the same pressure on the KKR side? This is what I have failed to understand. You have not been able to chase, but you still have been trying to chase. Markram should have come inside the power play in the batting.” The former opener addressed.

Rohan Gavaskar, the former Indian captain, has also pointed out how both these sides made the clash a hotch-potch despite being at a strong position.

See Also: Watch: Sunil Narine’s excellent double-wicket super over hands KKR win in IPL 2026 vs LSG

“Markram is a waste down the order. If you see the entire game, you will realize where these two teams have been in the points table. There was a point when it felt like KKR would win comfortably, while there was a time when it felt like LSG would get over the line easily, but they made it a hotch-potch at the end.” Rohan added.

It's hard to understand why the franchise hasn't batted freely before defending the total with their clincial bowling performance. That should be the norm for sides, who are strong in the bowling department. 

Lucknow Super Giants under fire following loss to KKR

Lucknow has struggled badly in the top order of the batting department. Their captain has accumulated only 189 runs in eight innings at 27, while Nicholas Pooran has struggled to find 82 runs off eight innings at an average of 10.25 and a strike rate of 81.18, with the best score of 22.

Lucknow will have a few days' break before they take on the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. That will be a hard fixture for the clash, who may be eliminated from the event if they fail to win that contest.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is just a night away, and the fans are excited. Royal Challengers Bengaluru(RCB) will take on the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on March 28 in M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. The tournament will not have any opening ceremony this time to honour the memories of the fans who lost their lives in the stampede that happened in 2025. 

Since the tournament is about to start, Star Sports and Jiostar have released a combined list of commentators on March 27. There are 160+ former cricketers and experts in the commentary panel across 12 languages. The energy is sure to be sky-high since Ravichandran Ashwin is also joining the Hindi panel. 

See Also: BCCI reveals IPL 2026 Phase 2 schedule with key matches and venues announced

Ashwin set to take up new role alongside playing duties

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) former player Ravichandran Ashwin is all set to take on new duties ahead of the IPL 2026. He will join the Hindi commentary panel for this tournament, along with putting up videos on social media. Ashwin, who is one of the best players in the IPL, bid farewell to his 16-year-old career in the tournament in August 2025. He played for CSK in that season. 

Now, he will lend his voice to the tournament. The fans love his analysis on social media, and there couldn't be a better player than Ashwin to take up the commentary job. Meanwhile, he will continue with his analysis on YouTube just like several other commentators. 

160+ voices. 12 languages. 1 epic STARCAST! 🎙️

Voices that will bring TATA IPL 2026’s Bindaas energy to your screens! 😍#TATAIPL 2026 👉 Starts SAT, 28th MAR, 5:30 PM pic.twitter.com/YOCQS1Qwcy

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 27, 2026

Broadcasters' commentary lineup for IPL 2026

The IPL 2026 Hindi commentators list consists of some of the best former players who have had a marvellous career in the tournament. Some of the famous names include Suresh Raina, Irfan Pathan, Virender Sehwag, and others. The fans will be excited to hear the players provide insights and anecdotes during the matches. Below is the list of former players who will be a part of the Hindi commentators panel for both JioHotstar and Star Sports. 

From JioHotstar (Championswaali Commentary)

• R Ashwin
• Suresh Raina
• Harbhajan Singh
• Irfan Pathan
• Virender Sehwag
• Anil Kumble
• Piyush Chawla
• Umesh Yadav
• Aakash Chopra
• Cheteshwar Pujara
• Aditya Tare

From Star Sports (Hindi Commentary)

• Navjot Singh Sidhu
• Sunil Gavaskar
• Sanjay Bangar
• Ajay Jadeja
• Mohammad Kaif
• Saba Karim
• Deep Dasgupta

There was considerable hype surrounding the India-Pakistan clash ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. Many former Pakistani cricketers and fans were claiming that their team would defeat India this time, but they were disappointed once again. India comfortably defeated Pakistan by 61 runs in Colombo on Sunday (February 15) in the 27th match of the ongoing edition of the tournament. This is also India's biggest win by run margin against Pakistan in a T20I.

In the match played at R Premdasa, India batted first and scored 175/7 in 20 overs, to which Pakistan's entire team was bowled out for 114 in 18 overs. After winning the toss, Pakistan chose to bowl first, which seemed to be the right decision when Indian opener Abhishek Sharma got out in the very first over. However, Ishan Kishan, batting at the other end, played aggressively and scored a magnificent 77 runs off 40 balls. Following that, Tilak Varma (25) and captain Suryakumar Yadav (32) couldn’t score runs quickly, but Shivam Dube helped India post a bigger total by scoring 27 runs off 17 balls at the end.

See Also: Fans react hilariously to India's massive 61-run victory vs Pakistan in T20 WC 2026

Pakistan, in their chase, faced trouble from the very beginning and lost four crucial wickets during the powerplay. The fall of wickets continued, preventing Pakistan from completing their full quota of overs. Usman Khan scored 44 runs off 34 balls, and Shaheen Shah Afridi remained unbeaten on 23, reducing the margin of defeat to some extent.

Cricketers react to India's emphatic win against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2026

India defeated Pakistan for the eighth time in the T20 World Cup. Following Team India's impressive victory and Pakistan's humiliating defeat, several cricketers responded.

हर हर महादेव 🕉️ pic.twitter.com/v2629OVGB4

— Surya Kumar Yadav (@surya_14kumar) February 15, 2026

The powerplay was where India took the game away from them.

Ishan Kishan in the first innings, and the clinical bowling we saw in the second innings, made all the difference.

We were always in the driver’s seat. India rocked it tonight!🇮🇳

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) February 15, 2026

Team India 🇮🇳 well done . India vs Pakistan is only hype no contest. Fan made rivalry but one way traffic on the field ….. Again . JAI HIND

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) February 15, 2026

Jai Hind 💪
pic.twitter.com/I6ePCJJxJA

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 15, 2026

Ishan Kishan played like a real Dhurandhar. Among all minnows Pakistan looked like the easiest to beat for Bharat because of their 17th century approach to T-20 cricket, and they have taken a proper beating as usual. Full kambal kuttai. #t20worldcup2026

— Virrender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) February 15, 2026

Honestly, a boycott might have been less embarrassing. #INDvsPAK

— Danish Kaneria (@DanishKaneria61) February 15, 2026

Big games demand big character and the boys showed exactly that tonight! Calm heads and the hunger to finish strong 👏🏻 Proud of the way we delivered as a unit! Onward and upward. 🇮🇳🏏@BCCI #ICCMensT20WorldCup2026 #IndVSPak

— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) February 15, 2026

Colombo was lit tonight but India were too good for Pakistan . A convincing win by them

— Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews) February 15, 2026

Virender Sehwag and MS Dhoni are two legends of Indian cricket. Sehwag changed the game with his aggressive batting, while Dhoni was known for his calm nature and leadership skills in pressure situations. Both have retired from international cricket, but Dhoni still plays in the Indian Premier League (IPL). At 44, he continues to represent his team, Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

There have long been rumours of a rift between the two players. This speculation has been fueled by team selection choices and public interviews over the years.

The rumours first gained attention between 2009 and 2012. The first controversy came during the 2009 T20 World Cup, when Sehwag played with a shoulder injury.

Also read -MS Dhoni-Virender Sehwag dressing room truth exposed by ex-India cricketer

Dhoni-Sehwag Rift Rumours Explained

After the 2009 T20 World Cup shoulder injury issue, Dhoni was asked about it in a pre-match press conference. He replied, “Maybe you should ask his physio to issue a press release.” Later, Sehwag and Dhoni won the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2011 in India, ending much of the speculation.

Another instance came during the 2012 CB Series in Australia. The team decided to rotate senior openers Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, and Sehwag to give younger players experience ahead of the next World Cup.

Sehwag’s Reaction and Team Rotation

Dhoni’s idea to rotate players and give fresh legs also aimed to save runs on the pitch. However, this was misunderstood by some senior players.

Sehwag said at the press conference, “I didn’t know what was said in the media. But we had a meeting. Dhoni talked with everyone, including Gautam, Tendulkar, and me. He wanted to give chances to youngsters so they could play all the matches and understand how the pitches behave in Australia.”

Sudeep Tyagi Clears the Air

After more than a decade, former India pacer Sudeep Tyagi spoke about the Dhoni-Sehwag relationship in an exclusive interview with CricketAddictor (a renowned Indian media house). He said, “Everyone has heard a lot of things, but no one knows the real story. On news channels, people show different things.”

Tyagi added, “No, there was nothing. As long as I was in international cricket, Viru Bhai and Mahi Bhai were there. They used to joke and talk well in the dressing room. Viru Bhai is senior to Mahi Bhai, so he used to help him. It was all rumours. There was nothing like that.”

The former lower-order batter of the Indian cricket team, Mohammad Kaif, along with former premier spin all-rounder of the national side, Yuvraj Singh, had been spending their holiday in Thailand, as the video has gone viral on social media platforms. Kaif shared the video on Instagram, where Yuvraj also revealed the presence of Ashish Nehra.

A few moments later, the former spinner- Bishan Singh Bedi’s son, Angad Bedi, also walked into the middle while the former opening bater of the side, Virender Sehwag, was seen crossing the road, which showed the bond of these former players despite not being together for a long time after their respective retirements from the game.

See Also: Watch: Indian players visit Padmanabhaswamy Temple ahead of IND vs NZ 5th T20I

Kaif has smashed an overall 2753 runs in 110 innings of the ODI format at an average of 32.01 and a strike rate of 72.03, with the help of 17 half-centuries and two centuries at the best score of unbeaten 111 runs. On the other hand, Sehwag has notched up 8273 runs in 245 innings of the 50-over format at an average of 35.05 and a strike rate of 104.33, notching 38 fifties and 15 centuries.

Mohammad Kaif, Virender Sehwag, and Yuvraj Singh enjoy Thailand in viral video

Kaif and Sehwag are expected to return to the commentary box ahead of the upcoming 2026 season of the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. India will start the campaign as favorites, where they begin the event against the United States of America on February 07 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Watch the video here: 

थाईलैंड में कैफ, Yuvi और सहवाग की मस्ती

◆ Mohammad Kaif ने शेयर किया अपने इंस्टाग्राम पर वीडियो@MohammadKaif | #MohammadKaif | #YuvrajSingh | Bangkok | Thailand | Virender Sehwag pic.twitter.com/q8oN7TANOQ

— News24 (@news24tvchannel) January 30, 2026

Later, India will fly to the Arun Jaitley Stadium for the clash against Namibia before they travel to the R Premadasa Cricket Stadium against Pakistan, which will be a mouth-watering fixture. On the other hand, they will return home for the last group-stage event against the Netherlands at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, India haven’t lost a single T20I series since winning their second title in the previous edition under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, beating South Africa in the final.

Achieving a double hundred (200 runs or more) has been an outstanding achievement for batsmen in one-day international (ODI) and domestic cricket, both form of cricket is played over 50 Overs. To achieve that score in one day of cricket require great concentration, skill, endurance, and tactical acumen on the part of the batsman. There are only a select few batsmen that have reached the double hundred mark for ODIs and Domestic Cricket throughout the history of cricket, only to have their names immortalised in the annals of cricket as member of an elite group.

The most recent addition to this group is Aman Rao Perala, who played for Andhra Pradesh in the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy against Bengal and not only achieved his own personal milestone but also was one of the standout performances of this season's List A cricket. History has shown that many of the double-hundred innings played by batsmen have changed the direction of the match and been the highlights of that tournament.

See Also: WATCH: Rohit Sharma smiles as ICC Chairman Jay Shah refers to him as India captain

Rohit Sharma is the highest profile player to have a number of List A double hundreds to his name, including his highest score in the ODI, where he set the record at 264, which is still one of the highest scores in the history of 50 overs cricket. Other very notable players such as Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill have also managed to make the double hundred club, indicating that the double hundred is still a milestone that modern-day players aspire to play for.

List of all List A Double Hundreds

Cricket is a special genre in India because fans in the country follow cricket matches passionately. Taking their passion to a whole new level, the EBG Group has come up with the Tollywood Pro League in Hyderabad because they want to blend cricket action with entertainment for their fans.

Over the years, cricket has evolved from being a sporting activity; it has now become one of the primary forms of entertainment. This is what the Tollywood Pro League captures as it offers a stage where cricket and movies blend. It is exclusively for the Telugu film industry, which gives it a peculiar identity among all the other tournaments.

Following the official announcement, the leadership of the EBG Group spoke about the idea behind the league. The focus is on building a structured, long-term competition that celebrates talent, unity, and entertainment, while also delivering a high-quality experience to fans across the country.

Stars Light Up the Launch of Tollywood Pro League

The launch event in Hyderabad brought together famous names from both cricket and the film industry. Renowned film producer Dil Raju officially opened the tournament. Legendary cricketers Suresh Raina, Virender Sehwag, and the captain of the World Cup-winning team Kapil Dev also graced the event with their presence.

A number of known faces in the film industry were also in attendance, including Ashish Vidyarthi and Dino Morea. Their presence underlined the close link between films and cricket that the league wants to foster. The tournament will consist of six franchise-based teams and will be held in two seasons in a calendar year.

See Also: 'I’m a Long Way from Max' - Cooper Connolly on PBKS role after IPL 2026 auction pick

Sharing his vision, EBG Group Founder and Chairman Dr. Irfan Khan said, “Tollywood Pro League is not just a cricket tournament; it is a cultural movement built on dignity, structure and long-term vision. With TPL, our intent is to create a world-class platform that celebrates the Telugu film fraternity, strengthens unity within the industry and delivers a premium sports and entertainment experience for fans across the country. A defining pillar of the league is Alai Balai—an inclusion-led movement within TPL that ensures representation across every craft of the Telugu film industry.”