As India’s economy continues to evolve and diversify, one of the most rapidly expanding sectors is the sports industry. No longer confined to cricket weekends or Olympic surges of national pride, Indian sports now command year-round attention—on screens, in stadiums, and increasingly, in the financial world. The sports economy, now worth thousands of crores annually, has a direct impact on media, advertising, merchandise, tourism, and digital platforms. With fan engagement at an all-time high and infrastructure growth accelerating, this sector is leaving a tangible mark on India’s GDP and employment landscape.
At the heart of this transformation is the commercialization of individual athletes. As India’s sporting audience grows, certain players emerge as icons—transcending their disciplines to dominate headlines, endorsements, and brand campaigns. These athletes aren’t just top performers; they are brands in their own right, capable of influencing public opinion, consumer behavior, and cultural conversations. Naturally, in this high-visibility, high-reward environment, a few elite names rise to the top, effectively monopolizing both the sporting and commercial arenas.
Top 10 Highest-Paid Indian Athletes in 2025
The following athletes have capitalized most on India’s booming sports economy, blending elite performance with sharp business instincts and immense brand appeal:
| Rank | Athlete | Sport | Estimated Earnings (₹) | Major Income Sources | Key Brands / Ventures |
| 1 | Virat Kohli | Cricket | ₹270+ crore | Endorsements, business ventures, IPL, BCCI | Puma, MRF, Audi, Myntra, WROGN, Chisel, FC Goa, Blue Tribe Foods |
| 2 | Rishabh Pant | Cricket | ₹32 crore | IPL, BCCI, endorsements | JSW Paints, Zomato, Noise, Cadbury, Himalaya Men |
| 3 | Shreyas Iyer | Cricket | ₹26.75 crore | IPL, endorsements | Puma India, Bajaj Allianz Life, Beardo |
| 4 | Venkatesh Iyer | Cricket | ₹23.75 crore | IPL, endorsements | HRX, Red Bull India, Tata Neu |
| 5 | Jasprit Bumrah | Cricket | ₹20–25 crore | BCCI, IPL, endorsements | Asics, CEAT, Thums Up, Royal Stag, Zaggle |
| 6 | PV Sindhu | Badminton | ₹15–20 crore | Endorsements, sponsorships | Li-Ning, Gatorade, JBL, Myntra, Panasonic |
| 7 | Hardik Pandya | Cricket | ₹15–18 crore | IPL, endorsements, investments | Dream11, Gillette, boAt, Sin Denim, Mivi |
| 8 | Ravindra Jadeja | Cricket | ₹14–16 crore | IPL, BCCI, endorsements | ASICS, Mahindra, BKT Tires, Shiv Naresh |
| 9 | Harmanpreet Singh | Hockey | ₹5–6 crore | HIL, endorsements, government grants | Hero MotoCorp, Adani Sportsline, Odisha Tourism, Shiv Naresh |
| 10 | Udita Duhan | Hockey | ₹3–4 crore | HIL, endorsements, public campaigns | Puma (regional), Tata Group, JSW Sports |
Where the Money Comes From: Beyond Match Fees
While match fees and league salaries form the baseline of an athlete’s income, it is endorsements, social media monetization, and business ventures that significantly boost their earnings. Here’s how India’s top athletes are turning fame into fortune:
- Virat Kohli
- Endorsements: ₹175–200 crore annually
- Business Ventures: WROGN (fashion), Chisel Fitness (gyms), co-owner of FC Goa (football), One8 with Puma, Blue Tribe Foods
Kohli leads the industry in lifetime brand deals, tech startup investments, and equity-based endorsements. - PV Sindhu
- Endorsements: Li-Ning, JBL, Gatorade, Myntra, Panasonic
- Other Ventures: Working on a fitness app and badminton academy
Sindhu remains India’s highest-paid non-cricket athlete, driven by her Olympic success and brand-friendly personality. - Hardik Pandya & Jasprit Bumrah
- Hardik: Endorses boAt, Gillette, Mivi, Sin Denim
- Jasprit: Asics, CEAT, Thums Up, Royal Stag, Zaggle
Both athletes are extending their presence into digital and lifestyle sectors beyond traditional brand types. - Rising Stars – Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Venkatesh Iyer
- Pant: Equity deal with Noise, endorsement deals with Cadbury and JSW
- Shreyas & Venkatesh: Popular with fashion and Gen Z brands
Pant is being increasingly positioned as Kohli’s commercial successor. - Hockey Icons – Harmanpreet Singh & Udita Duhan
These two athletes are now regularly seen in government-backed brand campaigns and CSR initiatives, especially from firms like JSW and Tata. Their growing media exposure indicates expanding commercial interest in Indian hockey.
Virat Kohli: India’s Highest-Earning Athlete of All Time
Virat Kohli’s journey from cricket prodigy to corporate powerhouse is unmatched in Indian sports history.
- Net Worth: ₹1,050 crore+ ($125 million)
- Business Influence: Across fashion (WROGN), fitness (Chisel), plant-based food (Blue Tribe), sports teams (FC Goa), and digital campaigns
- Even after stepping away from Test cricket in 2025, his brand remains stronger than ever.
Kohli’s strategy of blending long-term brand associations with ownership and equity investments makes him India’s most commercially astute athlete ever.
Conclusion: The Billion-Rupee Era of Indian Sports
India’s sports industry is in the midst of a financial renaissance. Athletes today are not only paid for their on-field prowess but also for their off-field persona, digital engagement, and business foresight. What once seemed like a cricket-dominated narrative is now expanding to embrace badminton, hockey, and even kabaddi and athletics.
With rising investments, tech integration, and evolving fan expectations, the next decade will likely bring even more dynamic shifts. Today’s top 10 earners are just the beginning. As sports diversify and digital media levels the playing field, a wider range of Indian athletes will rise—not just as players, but as icons, entrepreneurs, and change-makers.
