(Image source from: Instagram.com/virat.kohli)
Famous cricketer Virat Kohli is at the top of the list of India's most valuable stars, with a brand worth around ₹3,542 crore. In the second position is Shahrukh Khan, followed by Priyanka Chopra in third. The research, done by Fortune India in partnership with the global brand consulting firm Interbrand, looked into the 25 most valuable celebrities in the nation. Among the top 10, there are three cricketers and seven actors. Priyanka Chopra is the leading female celebrity. Additionally, Deepika Padukone, Rashmika Mandanna, Kriti Sanon, Indian women's cricket player Smriti Mandhana, and South Indian actress Nayanthara are also included. Other notable names are Diljit Dosanjh, Karan Johar, Sourav Ganguly, and Vicky Kaushal. The Fortune India-Interbrand list highlights how popular movies and cricket are in India. Most of the valuable celebrities are from the film sector, while cricket ranks second. These two fields generate the majority of celebrity brands.
In this study, assessing brand value took into account various factors beyond just how much celebrities earn, their number of followers, or their box office performance. It looked at elements that contribute to brand strength, including uniqueness, consistency, connection, trust, closeness, and accountability, all of which help establish their overall brand value. Virat Kohli is the wealthiest player in the IPL, ranking number 1. He has been playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) since 2008 and has earned ₹230 crore so far. Kohli is also the top star in the league concerning brand value. According to the Fanatic Sports and Hurun India list, former Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma is in second place with earnings of ₹227.2 crore. Chennai Super Kings (CSK)'s Mahendra Singh Dhoni holds the third spot with a salary of ₹200 crore. Despite not playing any matches in the IPL 2026 season so far, Dhoni remains a significant commercial figure in Indian cricket and the IPL.
In women's cricket, Smriti Mandhana leads with earnings of ₹13.7 crore. The total income of the top 10 female cricketers in the country is ₹90 crore, which is less than half of Virat Kohli's IPL earnings of ₹230 crore. The gap is even larger in other sports. After Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won their second IPL title, Virat Kohli expressed his feelings for the first time, stating that RCB is like home to him. “King” Kohli shared, “Started the season with belief. Ended with back-to-back titles. This team lived every emotion together. The highs, the pressure, the hurdles, and the unwavering support. It feels extra special because… this place is HOME! ”.
