There is a lot of passion among cricket players. For them, cricket is as essential as eating breakfast every day. Most of them can still be found in the off-season training or preparing for the next season. However, there are a selected few cricketers who have found time for other pursuits in addition to their illustrious careers on the pitch. They’re not only successful off the field, but also have a solid reputation among fans. Many professional cricketers have marketing contracts with major companies, but others have launched on their own.
1. Mahendra Singh Dhoni
MS Dhoni is one of the most successful captains for India. His support of young players has helped to revolutionise cricket in India. Outside of cricket, he has built a strong entrepreneurial existence thanks to his over 20 endorsements and the few enterprises he has gone into. Akkineni Nagarjuna co-owns “Mahi Racing Team India”, which Dhoni bought. He then co-owned “Chennaiyin FC” with Abhishek Bachchan and “Ranchi Rays” alongside Sahara India Pariwar. He owns the lifestyle brand “SEVEN”. He bought 25% of Run Adams. He accomplished almost everything in his life.
2. Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli, generally regarded as one of the century’s best cricketers, is also a model businessman. His first foray into shareholdings was with the Indian Super League’s FC Goa, a football franchise he co-owned. Following his co-ownership of the Pro-Wrestling League’s Bengaluru Yodhas franchise (owned by the JSW group) in India in late 2015. He became co-owner of the IPTL’s “UAE Royals”. He and Anjana Reddy launched “Wrong,” a men’s casual clothing brand. They partnered with online retailers Myntra Fashion and Shopper Stop to promote the brand. Kohli also invests in London tech startup Sport Convo. Virat is one of the world’s fittest athletes and a self-proclaimed “fitness obsessive.” He launched Chisel, a fitness brand, with Franchise India to get India fit. He has partnered with Stepathlon Lifestyle to fund a children’s fitness venture called “Stepathlon Kids”.
3. Gary Kirsten
Performance Zone was Gary Kirsten and Paddy Upton’s first business partnership. Gary, after having left the coaching profession in India, has announced the launch of a tours and travel company in South Africa. He launched his business brand, GaryKirsten.com. Currently, he also runs a cricket academy under the Gary Kirsten brand.
4. Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar founded India’s first sports marketing agency, Professional Management Group (PMG) in 1985. He is also the co-owner of the Indian Badminton League franchise Mumbai Masters.
5. Mahela Jayawardene & Kumar Sangakarra
Together with Sri Lanka’s renowned chef Darshan Munidasa, Jayawardene and Sangakarra invested in the venture “Ministry of Crabs.” Among the best seafood restaurants in Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Crabs has swiftly gained recognition.
6. Zaheer Khan
Zaheer Khan’s first business named Zaheer Khan Hospitality was founded in 2005. In Pune, he opened his first restaurant, ZK. Zaheer Khan Hospitality Limited expanded its business with the opening of two sports lounges, Toss and Banquet Foyer, following the success of his initial restaurant.
7. Virendra Sehwag
Virendra Sehwag built the “Sehwag International School” in Jhajjar, Haryana. Sehwag spends his free time helping students through the academy, which is recognised as one of the top institutions in India.