Five Indian Cricketers with Highest Brand Value in 2024
In India, cricketers are much more than just athletes. Each of them is a national icon celebrated for their influence on and off the field. Here’s a look at the top five Indian cricketers in 2024 who have the highest estimated brand value. 1. Virat Kohli – $228 million (approx. 1912 cr) Leading from the front is Virat Kohli, whose brand value has risen meteorically because of his aggressive play, consistency and worldwide appeal. Kohli’s brand goes beyond cricket and is interpreted as a way of life representing fitness, lifestyle and aspiration. His endorsement deals range from sports equipment to personal care products, making him an absolute delight for brands looking to target the youth segment. 2. MS Dhoni – $91.4 million (approx. 766 cr) Even after his retirement from international cricket, MS Dhoni continued to be a brand powerhouse. With a cool demeanor and a mind that works like a strategy chart, Dhoni has been associated with brands that emphasize reliability and leadership. He endorses automotive, real estate and sports equipment—reflecting his status as a composed and successful leader. 3. Sachin Tendulkar – $91.4 million (approx. 766 cr) Even years after his retirement, Sachin Tendulkar‘s brand value remains. On account of his legendary status in the game of cricket, brand endorsements focus on legacy, trust and his affiliation with cricket-loving households across India. The image of a role model stays with brands related to education, health and sports. 4. Rohit Sharma – $41 million (approx. 344 cr) A rise in brand value for Rohit Sharma comes on the back of some stellar performances and leadership roles for the stylish batsman in limited-overs cricket. His endorsement portfolio comprises fashion, sports and lifestyle brands because of his stylish yet aggressive gameplay that modern urban Indians look up to. 5. Hardik Pandya – $29.6 million (approx. 249 cr) Hardik Pandya has risen really fast due to his dynamic all-rounder skills. Charisma and energy have made him a darling of the youth-centric brands in fitness, fashion and lifestyle—what has been enough to indubitably put him at the pinnacle of brand ambassadors. There is an exemplary case of these cricketers regarding how cricket has taken on cultural and commercial muscle in India, with athletes turning into icons who affected trends, lifestyles and market dynamics. The Sportz Planet desk,Atharva Shetye
Suryakumar Yadav vs Hardik Pandya: A Captaincy Tug-Of-War
The race to take over the reins from Rohit Sharma as Indian Cricket Team’s T20 Captain has taken an unexpected turn, with Suryakumar Yadav now emerging as a strong contender. For the past two years, it seemed almost certain that Hardik Pandya would be promoted to the role. Hardik has led India in T20 matches during Rohit’s absences since the 2022 T20 World Cup. He has also been captaining IPL teams like Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians for the last three years. As India’s vice-captain and a star performer in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Hardik seemed the obvious choice. However, things have changed with Gautam Gambhir’s appointment as head coach. Suryakumar Yadav’s candidacy is now being seriously considered. The decision will be announced along with the squad for the upcoming Sri Lanka series, which includes three ODIs and T20Is. This announcement will be crucial, as it will determine who will lead India when they defend their T20 World Cup title on home soil in 2026. Player Matches Played As T20I Captain Matches Won As T20I Captain Matches Lost As T20I Captain Win Percentage Matches Played As IPL Captain Matches Won As IPL Captain Matches Lost As IPL Captain Win Percentage Hardik Pandya 16 10 5 62.50% 45 26 19 57.7% Suryakumar Yadav 7 5 2 71.42% 1 1 0 100% Hardik Pandya’s Strengths Hardik’s extensive experience as vice-captain and his role as a regular IPL captain make him a strong candidate. He is one of only four Indian captains to win the IPL and narrowly missed winning a second title in 2023. Hardik Pandya’s Weaknesses Despite his success with Gujarat Titans, Hardik had a disappointing season with Mumbai Indians in 2024, where the team finished last. Additionally, his need for regular rest to manage his workload could be a drawback for a permanent captaincy role. Suryakumar Yadav’s Strengths Suryakumar Yadav is one of the world’s best T20 batters. As India transitions after the retirements of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja, Suryakumar stands out as a guaranteed starter in the shortest format, making him a strong candidate for captaincy. Suryakumar Yadav’s Weaknesses Suryakumar’s lack of captaincy experience is a major concern. He has only captained an IPL team once, and his stint as Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy captain in 2015 ended poorly when he resigned mid-season. Who is the Better Candidate for India’s T20I Captaincy? Based on conventional logic, Hardik Pandya seems the clear choice due to his experience as vice-captain and IPL captain. Historically, Indian cricket has preferred promoting the vice-captain to the captaincy role for continuity. If tradition holds, Hardik’s appointment should be straightforward. However, it’s important to note that exceptions have been made in the past, such as when MS Dhoni was chosen over Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag for the 2007 T20 World Cup captaincy. If Suryakumar Yadav is appointed captain, it will likely be influenced by head coach Gautam Gambhir, who has long believed in his leadership potential. Gambhir made Suryakumar vice-captain of Kolkata Knight Riders back in 2015, recognizing his potential even before he became an IPL star. There’s also a case to be made that Hardik might perform better without the pressures of captaincy. Throughout his tenure as captain, whether for India or in the IPL, there has been criticism that he hasn’t maximized his own potential, particularly in terms of his batting style and bowling decisions. Ultimately, the decision will shape India’s strategy and leadership as they look ahead to defending their T20 World Cup title in 2026. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Not Hardik, Suryakumar Yadav To Be Named Indian Cricket Team’s T20I Captain
Suryakumar Yadav is set to be appointed as Indian Cricket Team’s new T20I captain, succeeding Hardik Pandya, the current vice-captain for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. Suryakumar will take over from Rohit Sharma, who recently retired from T20Is, along with Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, after leading India to a triumphant victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the Caribbean last month. HARDIK ON THE HELM Despite Hardik’s experience as a captain—having led India in three ODIs and 16 T20Is, and also captaining Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians in the IPL—fitness issues and workload management have been factors against him. Since the beginning of 2022, Hardik has played in only 46 of India’s 79 T20Is. SURYA’S SUCCESSFUL CAPTAINCY RECORD On the other hand, Suryakumar has a solid track record in leadership. He has captained Mumbai in domestic cricket and recently led India to a 4-1 series win against Australia in the T20I series last November, followed by a 1-1 draw in South Africa. His consistent performances have made him a key player in India’s T20I squad. WHO IS A BETTER CAPTAIN? A LEADERSHIP COMPARISON NAME GAMES WINS LOSSES TIED / NR WIN PERCENTAGE Hardik Pandya 16 10 5 1 62.50% Suryakumar Yadav 7 5 2 0 71.43% INDIA’S 1 CAPTAIN IDEOLOGY As per a BCCI source, “Hardik Pandya was India’s T20 vice-captain under Rohit Sharma. He is completely fit and available for the three-match T20I series and was supposed to lead the side but there is a very strong feeling that SKY would be the potential leader not only for the Sri Lanka series but till the 2026 World Cup,” The T20Is in Sri Lanka will also mark the beginning of Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as India’s new coach, taking over from Rahul Dravid after the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. This series is seen as a crucial step towards preparing for the next ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which India will co-host in 2026. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Hardik Pandya’s Redemption- From Boos To Blessings
Two months ago, amidst the deafening boos of a packed Wankhede Stadium, Hardik Himanshu Pandya was facing one of the toughest times of his career. It felt like a scene straight out of a Bollywood movie. However, like any dramatic tale, Pandya’s story saw an incredible turnaround. Hardik Pandya endured a rollercoaster year. His tenure as captain of the Mumbai Indians during IPL 2024 was far from ideal. In his debut season as MI skipper, he struggled to lead the team to success and the Wankhede crowd made their disappointment known by booing him at the top of their lungs. However, Pandya’s fortunes changed dramatically during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. He emerged as a standout performer, playing a crucial role in India’s victorious campaign. His all-around brilliance, both with the bat and the ball, helped India clinch the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 title by defeating South Africa in the final. The same crowd that once jeered him at Wankhede now chanted his name, celebrating his remarkable comeback. During the victory celebrations at the Wankhede Stadium, Indian captain Rohit Sharma lauded Hardik for his heroics in the tournament, particularly his performance in the nerve-wracking final over of the championship match. “Hardik was bowling the final over for us. Hats off to him for bowling that last over. No matter how many runs you need, there is always immense pressure to bowl that over. But hats off to him,” said Rohit, acknowledging Pandya’s composure and skill under pressure. Throughout the tournament, Hardik Pandya delivered impactful performances, scoring crucial runs down the order and taking key wickets when the team needed them most. He finished the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 with 144 runs at a strike rate exceeding 150 and claimed 11 wickets, showcasing his versatility and value to the team. The turnaround for Hardik Pandya within just two months is no less than a story of a so-called villain turning into a national hero. From facing boos at the Wankhede to becoming a World Cup hero, Hardik Pandya’s redemption is well and truly complete. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
What went wrong for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024?
Things are going bizarre for the 5-time IPL Champions, Mumbai Indians in the 2024 season. After Wednesday night’s loss to Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede, Mumbai’s hopes of making it to the playoffs are more or less over. The Mumbai Indians have now slipped to the 9th spot in the IPL 2024 points table. Cricket pundits, former cricketers, and fans are pointing out several reasons for Mumbai’s poor run. This is a good time to scrutinize the MI batters’ and bowlers’ performance in the season, with three more matches to go. What is Alpha Batter Value (aBV)? The Alpha Batter Value (aBV) is a new way to see how well a cricket player is doing compared to others on their team. It helps find the best players on the team by showing how much better or worse they are doing compared to their teammates. When it comes to the Alpha Batter Value of players from the Mumbai Indians, only 2 out of 7 main batters have positive aBV scores, showing they are doing better than others on the team. Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav are doing exceptionally well with aBV scores of +82.1% and +81.2%, showing they are outperforming their teammates. This means Rohit and Surya are important players in the team’s batting lineup, helping the team score points. On the other hand, the other five batters in the Mumbai Indians team have negative aBV scores. This shows they are not doing as well as Rohit and Surya, and they might need to improve or the team might need to change its strategy to balance things out. Negative aBV scores point out areas where the team needs to improve so that more players can help the team win. Players like Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav shine with high aBV scores, showing they’re doing exceptionally well. However, others might need to step up their game to help the team more. By using aBV, teams can figure out where they need to improve and make changes to ensure everyone contributes positively to the team’s success. The Sportz Planet Desk, Atharva Shetye.
