Highest Paid Cricketers 2015
Cricket was once begun and restricted to England, and was its national game, and then it began to spread to the countries where The British set up their colonies. It has gained popularity in such countries, and today. The sport is played in countries of the Indian Subcontinent, Australasia, West Indies and South Africa, apart from England itself. In these regions, cricket has always been popular. The earlier variations of the game, which were slow and time-consuming, have changed over the years, and the newer variations are faster and more engaging, while the older variations are also played by those who enjoy the classic approach to the game. Players of cricket bag huge salaries from the teams they play for, as well as through endorsement deals from top not companies. Let us take a look at the Top 10 Highest Paid Cricketers 2015.
Top 10 Highest Paid Cricketers 2015
1. Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Mahendra Singh Dhoni plays for the national cricket team of India. Besides playing for his national team, he also plays for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League. For the national and IPL team, he plays his role as the right-hand batsman and wicket-keeper. Mahendra Singh Dhoni made his ODI debut against Bangladesh on 23 December 2004 and made his Test debut against Sri Lanka on 2 December 2005. In the last season, he has made a cumulative total income of $26.5 million. Mahendra Singh Dhoni earned a total of $23 million from all of his endorsements and a total of $3.5 million as the salary and winning from cricket. He is currently sponsored by several globally reputed companies that include Reebok, PepsiCo, Sony, Lays, Boost, Exide, TVS, Dabur, Titan and Gulf Oil.
2. Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar plays for the national cricket team of India. Besides playing for his national team, he also plays for the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League. For the national and IPL team, he plays his role as the most dependable right-hand batsman. Sachin Tendulkar made his ODI debut against Pakistan on 18 December 1989 and made his Test debut against Pakistan on 15 November 1989. In the last season, he has made a cumulative total income of $18.6 million. Sachin Tendulkar earned a total of $16.5 million from all of his endorsements and earned a total of $2.1 million as the salary and winning from cricket. He is currently sponsored by several globally reputed companies that include Adidas, Coca-Cola, Castrol, Jaypee Cement, Toshiba, Aviva Insurance, Luminous and Rbs Banking.
3. Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir plays for the national cricket team of India. Besides playing for his national team, he also plays for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League. For the national and IPL team, He plays his role as the left-handed opening batsman. Gautam Gambhir made his ODI debut against Bangladesh on 11 April 2003 and made his Test debut against Australia on 3 November 2004. In the last season, he has made a cumulative total income of $7.3 million. Gautam Gambhir earned a total of $3.4 million from all of his endorsements and earned a total of $3.9 million as the salary and winning from cricket. He is currently sponsored by several globally reputed companies that include Reebok, Red Bull, Hero Honda, MRF, BHPC, Lays and Royal Stag.
4. Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli plays for the national cricket team of India. Besides playing for his national team, he also plays for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League. For the national and IPL team, He plays his role as the right-handed middle-order batsman. Virat Kohli made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka on 18 August 2008 and made his Test debut against West Indies on 20 June 2011. In the last season, he made a cumulative total income of $7.1 million. Virat Kohli earned a total of $4 million from all of his endorsements and earned a total of $3.1 million as the salary and winning from cricket. He is currently sponsored by several globally reputed companies that include Nike, PepsiCo, Toyota, Karbonn Mobiles, TVS, Cinthol and Nestle.
5. Virender Sehwag
Virender Sehwag plays for the national cricket team of India. Besides playing for his national team, he also plays for the Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League. For the national and IPL team, he plays his role as the right-handed opening batsman and occasional offspinner. Virender Sehwag made his ODI debut against Pakistan on 1 April 1999 and made his Test debut against South Africa on 6 November 2001. In the last season, he made a cumulative total income of $6.9 million. Virender Sehwag earned a total of $4.1 million from all of his endorsements and earned a total of $2.8 million as the salary and winning from cricket. He is currently sponsored by several globally reputed companies that include Fila, Hero Honda, Royal Challenge and Jaypee cement.
6. Shane Watson
Shane Watson plays for the national cricket team of Australia. Besides playing for his national team, he also plays for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League. For the national and IPL team, He plays his role as the right-handed all-rounder. Shane Watson made his ODI debut against South Africa on 24 March 2002 and made his Test debut against Pakistan on 2 January 2005. In the last season, he has made a cumulative total income of $5.9 million. Shane Watson earned a total of $3 million from all of his endorsements and earned a total of $2.9 million as the salary and winning from cricket. He is currently sponsored by several globally reputed companies that include Gunn & Moore, Asics and TAG Heuer.
7. Michael Clarke
Michael Clarke plays for the national cricket team of Australia. Besides playing for his national team, he also plays for the Pune Warriors in the Indian Premier League. For the national and IPL team, He plays his role as the right-handed middle-order batsman. Michael Clarke made his ODI debut against England on 19 January 2003 and made his Test debut against India on 6 October 2004. In the last season, he made a cumulative total income of $4.9 million. Michael Clarke earned a total of $2.2 million from all of his endorsements and earned a total of $2.7 million as the salary and winning from cricket. He is currently sponsored by several globally reputed companies that include Spartan Sports, Gillette and Bonds.
8. Brett Lee
Brett Lee plays for the national cricket team of Australia. Besides playing for his national team, he also plays for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League. For the national and IPL team, he plays his role as the right-arm fast bowler. Brett Lee made his ODI debut against Pakistan on 9 January 2000 and made his Test debut against India on 26 December 1998. In the last season, he made a cumulative total income of $4.8 million. Brett Lee earned a total of $3 million from all of his endorsements and earned a total of $1.8 million as the salary and winning from cricket. He is currently sponsored by several globally reputed companies that include Reebok, Gatorade and Vodafone.
9. Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting plays for the national cricket team of Australia. Besides playing for his national team, he also plays for the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League. For the national and IPL team, He plays his role as the most dependable right-hand batsman. Ricky Ponting made his ODI debut against South Africa on 15 February 1995 and made his Test debut against Sri Lanka on 8 December 1995. In the last season, he made a cumulative total income of $4.1 million. Ricky Ponting earned a total of $2.3 million from all of his endorsements and earned a total of $1.8 million as the salary and winning from cricket. He is currently sponsored by several globally reputed companies that include Kookaburra, Valvoline and Rexona.
10. Yusuf Pathan
Yusuf Pathan plays for the national cricket team of India. Besides playing for his national team, he also plays for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League. For the national and IPL team, he plays his role as the right-handed Batsman and occasional right arm off break bowler. Yusuf Pathan made his ODI debut against Pakistan on 10 June 2008 and made his Twenty20 debut against Australia on 22 September 2007. In the last season, he made a cumulative total income of $3.7 million. Yusuf Pathan earned a total of $350,000 from all of his endorsements and earned a total of $3.3 million as the salary and winning from cricket. He is currently sponsored by several globally reputed companies that include PepsiCo and Tata Indicom.
Cricketers today earn not only from the national teams they represent, but also from the clubs they play for at the leagues, like in case of the Indian Premier League, which is among the highest paying leagues in cricket. Unlike in the case of the yesteryears, there is more opportunity for the young cricketers to get opportunities to showcase their talents and make a career in the sport. It is likely in the near future that cricketers will be listed among the highest paying athletes in the world.