The playbook changed the day they hung up their spikes
Retirement hit differently for these guys. No more nets at dawn, no last-over heroics, no packed stadiums chanting their names. But the hunger? That stayed. Maybe it even grew. Sachin Tendulkar once said he missed the sound of leather on willow more than the applause. Funny how the same man now owns chunks of companies that make the willow sing for others.
The game’s moved on. So have they.
The big money moves keeping these legends in the headlines
Sachin’s not just selling memorabilia anymore. He’s deep in the guts of the machine. Chisel gyms, gaming startups, food brands that taste like nostalgia. And teams – oh, the teams. He’s got skin in leagues from Mumbai to Melbourne. The man who once carried India’s batting now carries a portfolio that could make a Silicon Valley VC sweat. Estimates put his net worth north of $170 million in 2025. Not bad for someone who spent two decades getting hit on the fingers.
Then there’s Dhoni. The man who played like he had all the time in the world now runs like the clock’s ticking. Hotels, organic farms, sportswear lines that sell out in hours. He’s got a thing for rural India, apparently. Maybe it’s where he came from. Maybe it’s where the real money’s hiding. Either way, he’s not just a brand – he’s a blueprint.
Kohli’s the new kid on the block, relatively speaking. But he’s playing the game like he played cricket: aggressive, stylish, and always eyeing the next boundary. Fashion labels, D2C nutrition brands, fitness startups. He’s not just slapping his name on stuff. He’s building things that last. And the numbers? They’re talking. Some say his net worth’s pushing $150 million. Not quite Sachin levels, but give him time.
Sehwag’s the wildcard. Restaurants, schools, media projects. The guy who once smashed bowlers for fun now smashes spreadsheets. His F&B ventures are everywhere – Sehwag’s Favourites, Sehwag’s Kitchen, Sehwag’s… you get the idea. And the schools? They’re not just buildings. They’re factories for the next generation of Virus. Because if there’s one thing he knows, it’s how to leave a mark.
Yuvraj’s the comeback king. After everything – cancer, comebacks, more comebacks – he’s built a business empire that’s as much about resilience as it is about revenue. Twiddles, his food brand, launched in 2024 and exploded. Sports retail, too. He’s not just selling products. He’s selling a story. And in 2025, that’s worth more than gold.
The world’s catching up, and the legends are cashing in
It’s not just India. The game’s gone global, and the money’s followed. Kallis, Gayle, De Villiers – they’re all in on the action. Leagues, academies, lifestyle brands. The IPL’s not the only show in town anymore. MLC, The Hundred, SA20 – they’re all throwing cash at the sport, and the players are catching it with both hands.
Tech billionaires, private equity, sovereign funds. They’re all piling in. And when the big money talks, the legends listen. Franchise valuations are through the roof. Player contracts are breaking records. The game’s never been richer. And neither have the men who used to play it.
The numbers don’t lie (even if they don’t always agree)
Here’s the thing about net worth figures. They’re slippery. One outlet says Kohli’s worth $150 million. Another says $120 million. Dhoni? Anywhere from $110 million to $130 million. Tendulkar? Somewhere between $170 million and $200 million. The truth? It’s probably somewhere in the middle. But the trend? That’s undeniable. These guys are rich. And they’re getting richer.
The money’s not just coming from cricket, either. It’s coming from everywhere. Tech, food, fashion, fitness. The smart ones aren’t just endorsing products. They’re owning them. They’re building them. They’re making sure that when the applause fades, the bank accounts don’t.
Why this matters now (and why it’s only going to get bigger)
Cricket’s at a crossroads. The old guard’s gone. The new guard’s here. And the money? It’s flowing like never before. The leagues are expanding. The contracts are getting fatter. The opportunities are everywhere.
For the legends, it’s a second act. For the fans, it’s a masterclass in reinvention. And for the rest of us? It’s a reminder that the game doesn’t end when the last ball’s bowled. Sometimes, that’s just the beginning.
The playbook for the next generation
So what’s the secret? How do you go from cricket legend to business mogul?
First, diversify. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Tendulkar’s got gyms, gaming, and teams. Dhoni’s got farms, hotels, and sportswear. Kohli’s got fashion, fitness, and food. The more irons you’ve got in the fire, the less it hurts when one burns out.
Second, leverage your brand. But don’t let it leverage you. These guys aren’t just slapping their names on stuff. They’re building things that stand on their own. Things that last. Things that make sense.
Third, think long-term. The best investments aren’t the ones that pay off tomorrow. They’re the ones that pay off in ten years. In twenty. The ones that grow with you. The ones that become part of your legacy.
And finally, don’t be afraid to take risks. The game’s changed. The rules have changed. The only way to win is to play by the new ones.
The future’s bright, the future’s… well, you know
The next decade’s going to be wild. The leagues will keep growing. The money will keep flowing. And the legends? They’ll keep building.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not about the runs you scored or the wickets you took. It’s about what you do after the last ball’s bowled. It’s about the empire you build when the applause fades.
And if there’s one thing these guys know, it’s how to build an empire.
Want to play the game? Here’s where to start
If you’re an athlete looking to make the jump, or just someone who wants to understand the world of sports analytics and business, there’s no better place to start than tips.gg. They’ve got the insights, the data, and the know-how to help you make the right moves. Because in this game, knowledge isn’t just power – it’s profit.
And if there’s one thing these legends know, it’s how to turn a profit.
