Explained: How Rohit Sharma scores off the field and why he is a brand in Indian cricket

sanjeev

khelja|14-06-2024

Indian men's cricket team captain Rohit Sharma could script history in the ongoing T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies as he tries to end India's drought of titles in the shortest format while targeting a rare feat.
Rohit, one of the best players of the current generation could become the first captain in the history of the game to lead a side in the ODI World Cup, World Test Championship and the T20 World Cup final if India is successful in reaching the summit clash. However, it is Rohit's off-field rise that has also caught the eye of fans and the internet as we decode him and why he is one of the big brand names in Indian sports. Decoding Rohit Sharma as a brand With more than 38 million followers on Instagram, Rohit has one of the highest followers in the Indian sports fraternity engaging him with multiple brand endorsements. The followers account goes past 100 million when all the social media platforms like X and Facebook are included. Currently, Rohit endorses nearly 30 brands which include various industries, showcasing his broad appeal and preference among Indian audiences. His portfolio includes sectors like sportswear, FMCG, BFSI, real estate, quick-delivery platforms, Fantasy sport, edtech, fintech, healthcare and wellness and exploring travel and hospitality, auto, pipes among others, highlighting his versatile influence. It is reported that multiple endorsements done by Rohit sees him earn more than INR 1 billion (approx. $12 million) every annum, making him a big brand name in Indian sports. According to a report from the Economic Times, Rohit annually earns INR 70 million ($837, 885) from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) annual contract while also pocketing INR 160 million ($1.92 million) from the Indian Premier League (IPL). The same report also adds Rohit has an estimated wealth of $22 million, making him one of the richest cricketers on the planet. In total the Mumbai-based player earns in the region of $15-20 million which makes him one of the wealthiest and highest-paid players in the world. "Rohit Sharma has been one of the most sought-after celebrities in the endorsement space, with brands looking at the impact that he has across the country and also globally. Brands across categories seek Rohit as he possesses great affinity with their consumers and has demonstrated values and purpose as an individual, which resonate very strongly with the brands he endorsed, as an individual, family man, captain and teammate," Nikhil Bardia, head of Rise Worldwide stated.