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
26th CEAT Cricket Rating Awards: Rohit, Kohli And Other Award Winners
The 26th CEAT Cricket Rating Awards was held in Mumbai on Wednesday, 21st August, 2024. This event marked the outstanding performances in both international and domestic cricket fields by those individuals who have worked hard to showcase talent and leadership skills throughout the year. Here is a complete list of award winners at the 26th CEAT Cricket Rating Awards. Sr. No Award Winner 1 CEAT Lifetime Achievement Award Rahul Dravid 2 CEAT Men’s International Cricketer Of The Year Rohit Sharma 3 CEAT Men’s ODI Batter Of The Year Virat Kohli 4 CEAT Men’s ODI Bowler Of The Year Mohammad Shami 5 CEAT Men’s Test Batter Of The Year Yashashvi Jaiswal 6 CEAT Men’s Test Bowler Of The Year Ravichandran Ashwin 7 CEAT Men’s T20I Batter Of The Year Phil Salt 8 CEAT Men’s T20I Bowler Of The Year Tim Southee 9 CEAT Domestic Cricketer Of The Year Sai Kishore 10 CEAT Women’s Indian Batter Of The Year Smriti Mandhana 11 CEAT Women’s Indian Bowler Of The Year Deepti Sharma 12 Memento – Most Matches As A Captain In Women’s T20I History Harmanpreet Kaur 13 Memento For Outstanding Leadership For TATA IPL Shreyas Iyer 14 Memento For Fastest Double Century In Women’s Test Shafali Verma 15 CEAT Award for Excellence In Sports Administration Jay Shah The 26th CEAT Cricket Rating Awards kept on continuing the celebration of cricketing excellence with many eyeballs as the world of cricket, celebrities, and sports lovers came under one umbrella. It acknowledged not just individual brilliance but also reinstated the fact that cricket binds and keeps. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
3 Years Since Virat Kohli’s Fiery One-Liner At Lords
2 sessions of play were left on that day at the Lord’s. India had posted a target of 272 with just 60 overs remaining in the 2nd test match against England in 2021. The Indian Cricket Team makes a huddle. In walks then skipper, Virat Kohli and throws a fiery one liner that was going to be remembered for ages. “For 60 overs they should feel hell out there” said Virat. And that was the exact thing that happened next. That was a shattering blow to England from the Indian pace unit, particularly Mohammad Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah, as both combined to dismantle the English batting line-up at the Home of Cricket. The struggles of England started right at the beginning as openers Dom Sibley and Rory Burns fell for ducks, with Bumrah and Shami laying the groundwork in the very first over. Captain Joe Root was attempting to graft the innings, but was dismissed for 33 following an excellent catch by Virat Kohli in the slips off an inch-perfect delivery from Jasprit Bumrah. Ishant Sharma joined in with the fall of Haseeb Hameed and Jonny Bairstow to reduce England to 67/4 in an extremely precarious position. Despite the best efforts of Root, England collapsed for a meager 120 all out against the target of 272 runs. Siraj led from the front in the late attack on England’s tail with four timely wickets; Bumrah added three to his tally to close out the game and secure the dominating 151-run victory for India. The Indian bowlers, with spicy spells and continuous pressure, ensured a delightful victory that is going to be there in memory for any debacle encountered by India. Kohli’s words probably acted as the fuel to the fire. The 2021 Lord’s test match between England and India is surely the one remembered for the ages. Courtesy – Virat Kohli and his words of wisdom. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Questions Loom Before The Border-Gavaskar Trophy
With the flame already ignited for one of the most famous rivalries in the history of cricket, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024 is going to be nothing short of action and intense drama. Though a couple of months are still left, many questions are yet to be answered as the series gets anticipated. If Not RO-KO Then Who? Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been India’s batting mainstays for more than a decade now. The Virat-Rohit duo has piled up 2629 runs for India while playing against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Although Rohit Sharma cemented his place in the Indian red ball side in 2018, he has been a major contributor when it comes to scoring runs. However, considering the age in the legs of both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma it is important for someone else from the batting order to step up and deliver it for the Indian Cricket Team. While the hopes rest on Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, it would be interesting to see if they can meet the expectations by facing the challenge down under. Who Will Join Jasprit Bumrah? Australia is known for producing fast and bouncy decks unlike India where the pitches are more spin dominant. To give Australia a tough fight, India need more resources in their fast bowling cartel to join Jasprit Bumrah and deliver. Fast bowlers, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammad Siraj and Shardul Thakur have a taste of wickets from down under. A couple of these guys alongside Bumrah might make a quality seam bowling attack. Steve Smith The Opener Or Steve Smith The Middle Order Batter? Any cricket fan who follows the Border-Gavaskar Trophy might be aware of how much Steve Smith is in love with scoring runs against India. Smith, till the end of last year used to bat in between number 3 to number 5 in test match cricket. However, including Cameron Green and the empty opening spot at the top post David Warner’s retirement made him think of pushing himself up the batting order. However, Smith opening the innings in test match cricket didn’t come off as a great decision. Smith hasn’t played in the whites and the famous Baggy Green since late January 2024 with Australia having no test matches scheduled in their calendar. However while playing against India, it would be interesting to see if Smith opens the batting or shifts back to any of numbers 3, 4 or 5 in the middle order. FYI – In the 18 test matches Steve Smith has played in the Border-Gavaskar series so far, Steve Smith has successfully piled 1887 runs at an ultra impressive average of 65.06. What’s Bigger – Border-Gavaskar Trophy or The Ashes? The intensity of the India-Australia rivalry has arguably reached the same level to that of the intensity of the England-Australia rivalry. While many believe that The Ashes being the oldest rivalry is cricket’s greatest showdown, some say that the Border-Gavaskar rivalry is the most fierce one due to the intense battles between the two cricketing powerhouses. Well, therefore we leave the answer to this question up to you. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
SL vs IND: Head to Head In ODI’s
The ODI series will see India and Sri Lanka moving to Colombo right after the series conclusion of the T20I series. In the IND vs SL ODI series, there are three matches scheduled for the series, out of which the first one is on Friday, August 2, 2024. The return of captain Rohit Sharma, who comes back into the team following Suryakumar Yadav‘s captaincy in the T20I series, will certainly boost India. Indeed, Sharma is the captain of the team in both ODIs and Tests. It will be the same case for Sri Lanka, who will retain Charith Asalanka as their skipper for the ODI series. Though he was not able to handle his team as expected in the T20I series with an end result of 3-0. Ahead of the IND vs SL 1st ODI at the R Premadasa Stadium, here are the complete head-to-head records between India and Sri Lanka in One Day Internationals. Check out more insights from the ODI leg of India’s tour of Sri Lanka here. Head-To-Head India has played 168 ODI matches against Sri Lanka. Out of these, India has won 99, while Sri Lanka has won 57 games. Besides, 11 matches ended without a result, and 1 match ended in a tie. INDIA vs SRI LANKA HEAD-TO-HEAD IN ODI’s CATEGORY INDIA SRI LANKA Matches Played 168 168 Matches Won 99 57 Matches Lost 57 99 No Result 11 11 Tied 1 1 Home Wins 40 28 Away Wins 32 12 Neutral Venue Wins 27 17 Head-to-Head: Recent 5 Encounters Of the last five ODI outings between these two teams, all have been won by India. However, the home series in July 2021 did see Sri Lanka win one ODI game out of the three. Of these five matches, three have been hosted in India and two in Sri Lanka. India will eye to add one more series win against their name while Sri Lanka will be playing for their pride after a 3-0 loss in theT20I series. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
SL vs IND: ODI Series Kicks Off in Colombo
The three-match ODI series between India and Sri Lanka gets underway on Friday, 2ns August, 2024 at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. Big Names Return for India Bolstered by the return of senior players, including captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, K.L. Rahul, and Kuldeep Yadav, the Indian Cricket Team is looking to keep the winning momentum going. Unlike the T20 format, India has an extremely solid core for the 50-over game; this series will go a long way in cementing places within the team and grooming future talent. Squad Focus and Strategy With only six ODIs to be played before the ICC Champions Trophy in February 2025, the upcoming series becomes very important for the new coach and captain to stamp their strategy. The third pacer to complement Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj features at the top of the list of areas to focus on. On the other hand, Mohammed Shami, an exceptional performer in the World Cup last year, will be tried alongside new talent like Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, and IPL sensation Harshit Rana. The blinding six-wicket haul was by Siraj at this very venue during the Asia Cup, so he will spearhead the pace attack. Wicketkeeper Dilemma Another call pending for the Indian team is at the wicketkeeper’s position. K.L. Rahul has been effective both as a batsman and ‘keeper, but with Rishabh Pant back in the ODI set-up, the team has a strategic call to make. Pant would provide an extra left-hand option in batting, but may restrict India to five bowlers. Sri Lanka’s Injury Woes It’s an injurious start to the series for Sri Lanka, with key pacers Dilshan Madushanka and Matheesha Pathirana out of action. Clearly a case of improvements needed, their struggles in the T20 series were marked by middle-order collapses. A second-string pace attack makes Sri Lanka heavily dependent on their spinners to test India’s strong batting line-up. The team is keen to end a ten-match losing streak against India and provide a boost for their fans. INDIA Rohit Sharma (Capt.), Ꮪhubman Gill, Virat Kohli, K.L. Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Riyan Parag, Axar Patel, Khaleel Ahmed, Harshit Rana. SRI LANKA Charith Asalanka (Capt.), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Nishan Madushka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Akila Dananjaya, Asitha Fernando, Mohamed Shiraz and Eshan Malinga. Match Details The first ODI will start at 14:30 IST and both the teams will be looking to start the series on a winning note. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
SL vs IND: Team India’s ODI Team Combination Blueprint
The Indian Cricket Team would be taking on Sri Lanka in a day’s time. The T20I leg of the series starts from the 27th of July, 2024 with the 1st T20I at Pallekele, Sri Lanka. The ODI’s start from the 2nd of August, 2024 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Focussing on the ODI’s, the Indian Cricket Team is in search of balance and right combinations as the men in blue prepare for the Champions Trophy 2025 and also the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2027. However, there are a couple of questions to be answered. The Best Fit Out of KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant? The ODI squad composition is under scrutiny, particularly the middle-order spots. With Rohit, Gill and Kohli cemented at the top and Hardik Pandya’s place secured when fit, the selectors face a dilemma. KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, once mainstays, now find their positions challenged by Rishabh Pant. Pant’s recovery and subsequent performance have put him back in contention, making the Sri Lanka ODIs crucial for these players to stake their claim. The selectors might have to make tough choices, balancing between batting depth and allrounder utility. What Can We Expect from India’s Fast-Bowling Cartel? Managing a heavy test match schedule on the horizon is a must. Jasprit Bumrah has been rested while Mohammed Shami is on a comeback trail from injury. Mohammed Siraj is expected to lead the bowling attack in both formats during the tour. Arshdeep Singh, having established himself in T20Is will look to impress in the 50-over format. Khaleel Ahmed and Harshit Rana, selected for T20Is and ODIs respectively, along with Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan, and Mayank Yadav, have opportunities to make a mark in the Indian bowling lineup. With the questions on the right player to man the middle order and the rising stars set to take responsibility, India’s tour of Sri Lanka surely is going to be a ‘Gambhir Maamla’ to watch out for. Also read about what’s happening with the Indian Cricket Team in T20Is here. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Gautam Gambhir Focuses on Team Unity and Professionalism As New Head Coach
After being appointed as the head coach of the Indian men’s senior team, Gautam Gambhir made a prompt and punctual appearance at his first media interaction on Monday, 22nd of July, 2024. Accompanied by national selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar, Gambhir shared his vision for fostering a harmonious team atmosphere and spoke candidly about his relationship with Virat Kohli. On-Field Rivalry Turned Professional Respect Gambhir, who has had his share of intense on-field clashes with Kohli during the IPL, emphasized that their professional relationship is now based on mutual respect and maturity. “It’s good for the TRP, but our relationship is not public. What kind of a relationship I share with Virat Kohli… I think it’s between two mature individuals,” he said. “On the field, everyone has the right to fight for their own jersey and come back to a winning dressing room. But at the moment, we’re representing India, representing 140 crore Indians and I’m sure we’re going to be on the same page and try and make India proud.“ Optimistic Collaboration with Kohli Gambhir also highlighted that he has been in regular contact with Kohli, looking forward to their collaboration. “I have had a lot of chat with him… we’ve shared messages. It’s not important what we discussed or how many chats I have had with him. Just because we want headlines, it’s not important,” he said. “Right now, the most important thing is we both are going to be working extremely hard to make India proud. And that’s our job.“ Future of Senior Players: Kohli and Rohit Discussing the future of senior players Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Gambhir assured fans that both players remain motivated and ready to contribute to the team’s success in upcoming tournaments like the Champions Trophy and the tour of Australia. “I think they’ve shown what they can deliver on the big stage. Whether it is the T20 World Cup or the ODI World Cup. I think both of those guys have a lot more to offer. We’ve got the Champions Trophy, a tour of Australia, so they will be motivated,” Gambhir said. “Hopefully, they can keep their fitness till the 2027 ODI World Cup. To say how much cricket is left in them is difficult. Any team that has players of their class would love to have them for as long as possible.“ Managing Workloads: Focus on Fast Bowlers On the crucial issue of managing player workloads, particularly for key fast bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Gambhir stressed its importance. “He is one rare bowler, who anyone would want. You want him to play important games. That’s why the workload management for not just him but fast bowlers is important,” he explained. Support Staff Setup: Key Appointments Gambhir also shared his satisfaction with the support staff setup, announcing that Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate will join as assistant coaches, with T. Dilip continuing as the fielding coach. “I am really happy with BCCI. They’ve agreed with most things I’ve asked for. The crux of the support staff will remain as they are. The rest of the staff will be finalised after the Sri Lanka tour,” he said. He also hinted at the possible appointment of Morne Morkel as the bowling coach, with Sairaj Bahutule stepping in on an interim basis for the Sri Lanka tour. Gambhir’s approach emphasizing on unity and professional excellence promises to bring a fresh dynamic to Indian cricket as the men in blue gear up for the start of the Gambhir era. 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
Cricket Legends Who’ve Ventured Into The Restaurant Business
Virat Kohli’s One8 Commune in Bangalore is currently making headlines. Beyond cricket, it has become common for cricketers to explore side-businesses for additional income. Here are 10 cricketers who have ventured into the restaurant business: 10. Shakib Al Hasan Known for his contributions to Bangladesh cricket, Shakib opened Shakib’s 75, a cricket-themed sports lounge in Dhaka in 2015. It features memorabilia from his career and a menu inspired by his achievements. 9. Shoaib Malik In Lahore, Pakistan, Shoaib Malik launched The Rice Bowl in early 2022, attracting attention not only for its cuisine but also for celebrity visits, including Pakistani singer Atif Aslam. 8. Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene The Sri Lankan legends partnered with chef Dharshan Munidasa to establish the Ministry of Crab (MOC) in Colombo in 2011, expanding globally to cities like Mumbai and Bangkok, celebrating Sri Lankan seafood. The Sri Lankan legends partnered with chef Dharshan Munidasa to establish the Ministry of Crab (MOC) in Colombo in 2011, expanding globally to cities like Mumbai and Bangkok, celebrating Sri Lankan seafood. 7. Kapil Dev The former Indian captain owns Elevens, a cricket-themed restaurant in Patna since 2008, renowned for its diverse menu and family-friendly atmosphere. 6. Zaheer Khan Zaheer entered the hospitality industry in 2005 with ZK’s Dine Fine in Pune, later expanding to Toss Sports Lounge in 2013, offering sports enthusiasts a vibrant dining experience. Zaheer entered the hospitality industry in 2005 with ZK’s Dine Fine in Pune, later expanding to Toss Sports Lounge in 2013, offering sports enthusiasts a vibrant dining experience. 5. Suresh Raina After retiring from international cricket in 2020, Raina fulfilled a dream by opening Raina Indian Restaurant in Amsterdam in June 2023, serving a variety of Indian delicacies. 4. Shikhar Dhawan The Flying Catch in Dubai, opened in 2023, reflects Dhawan’s sporting prowess and commitment to healthy dining options, catering especially to the Indian community in the city. 3. Ravindra Jadeja Known as Jaddu’s Food Field in Rajkot, Jadeja’s restaurant underwent a transformation after a 2018 raid and now offers a variety of multi cuisine dishes. 2. MS Dhoni Dhoni’s investment in Shaka Harry, a plant-based food venture at Bangalore airport since December 2022, has attracted travelers and vegans alike. 1. Virat Kohli With One8 Commune, Kohli has expanded his restaurant chain across major Indian cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, and Kolkata, focusing on vegetarian cuisine and global flavors. These cricketers have leveraged their fame and love for food to create successful ventures that resonate with fans and food enthusiasts. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
