Virat Kohli is one of the most popular and influential cricketers in the world. He is the former captain of the Indian national cricket team and the current vice-captain of the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time and has won many accolades and awards for his performances on the field.
Apart from his cricketing achievements, Kohli is also a successful brand ambassador for many products and services. Virat Kohli has a net worth of over ₹1065 crore INR ($128 million) and earns more than ₹200 crore INR ($25 million) annually from endorsement deals. He was the only cricketer on Forbes magazine’s list of the top 100 highest-paid athletes in 2020.
In this article, we will explore the top 10 brands endorsed by Virat Kohli, and how these brands act as a part of his income sources.
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These are the Top 10 Brands Endorsed by Virat Kohli
1. Puma
Puma is a global sports and lifestyle brand that offers footwear, apparel, and accessories for various sports and activities. The brand’s logo features a puma, a big, predator cat, renowned for its jumps. The elegant hunter was chosen for the emblem because the founder Rudolf Dassler had the nickname Puma during his university years. Dassler believed that his brand mark should reflect the characteristics of the cat: endurance, elegance, and flexibility.
Endorsement Deal
Virat Kohli has been endorsing Puma since 2017 when he signed a record-breaking deal worth ₹110 crore (US$16.42 million) for eight years. This makes him the first Indian sportsperson to sign a ₹100 crore endorsement deal with a single brand. He is also the only cricketer on the list of Puma’s global ambassadors, which includes legends like Usain Bolt, Pele, Maradona, and Thierry Henry.
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Value and Comparison
Kohli is one of the highest-paid athletes in the world, and his endorsement deal with Puma is one of the most lucrative in the sports industry. According to Forbes, Kohli earned ₹200 crore INR ($24 million) from endorsements in 2020, and Puma was one of his main sponsors.
Virat Kohli’s deal with Puma increased his total brand value. His endorsement earnings are also higher than some of his fellow cricketers, such as MS Dhoni, who earned ₹166 crore INR from endorsements in 2013, and Sachin Tendulkar, who earned ₹500 crore INR from endorsements in his 24-year career.
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2. Myntra
Myntra is an online fashion and lifestyle platform that offers clothing, accessories, and personal care products from various brands. The brand’s logo is a stylized letter M in bright colors, representing the diversity and vibrancy of fashion. Myntra is owned by retail giant Walmart through another Indian e-commerce giant Flipkart.
Endorsement Deal
Virat Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma signed a deal with Myntra in 2019, becoming the brand ambassadors for the platform. The deal is said to be worth more than ₹10 crore, and it involves the couple appearing in various advertisements and campaigns for Myntra. Virat Kohli also co-owns and co-creates some Myntra-exclusive brands like Wrogn and One8. The deal is expected to last for at least two years, and it aims to attract more customers and increase the brand awareness of Myntra.
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Value and Comparison
Kohli is one of the highest-paid celebrities in India, and his endorsement deal with Myntra is one of the most lucrative in the fashion industry. His deal with Myntra is also higher than some of his fellow celebrities, such as Deepika Padukone, who earned ₹8 crore from Myntra in 2018, and Hrithik Roshan, who earned ₹5 crore from Myntra in 2017.
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3. Wrogn
Wrogn is a youth fashion brand that offers casual and sporty clothing and accessories, co-created and co-founded by Virat Kohli and Universal Sportsbiz, founded by Anjana Reddy who is also the CEO of the company. The brand’s name and logo are inspired by Kohli’s rebellious and unconventional style, and his desire to break away from the norms and stereotypes. The logo features a stylized letter W with a slash across it, symbolizing the brand’s attitude and philosophy.
Endorsement Deal
Virat Kohli has been endorsing Wrogn since 2014 when he became the brand ambassador and co-owner of the brand. He is involved in the design and development of the products and also participates in various campaigns and events for the brand. He also showcases Wrogn’s products on his social media platforms and wears them on various occasions. We don’t have much information about the amount Virat Kohli gets to endorse Wrogn products.
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Value and Comparison
Kohli is one of the co-founders of the company Cornerstone LLP which invested ₹20 crore INR in Universal Sportsbiz which owns Wrogn. His deal with Wrogn is also higher than some of his fellow celebrities, such as Ranveer Singh, who earned ₹4 crore from Jack & Jones in 2016, and Varun Dhawan, who earned ₹3 crore from FBB in 2017.
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4. One8
One8 is a lifestyle brand that offers clothing, footwear, fragrances, and accessories, inspired by Virat Kohli’s jersey number and philosophy. The brand was launched in 2017, in collaboration with Puma, as a platform to celebrate Kohli’s legacy and inspire his fans. Kohli is the brand ambassador and co-owner of One8, and he is involved in the design and development of the products. He also showcases One8’s products on his social media platforms and wears them on various occasions.
Endorsement Deal
Kohli signed an endorsement deal with Puma in February 2017, for eight years. The deal is reportedly worth ₹110 crore (US$16.42 million), making him the first Indian sportsperson to sign a ₹100 crore endorsement deal with a single brand. The deal involves Kohli launching his brand, One8, with Puma, and promoting Puma’s products across various categories, such as football, running, training, golf, basketball, and motorsports.
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Value and Comparison
Virat Kohli not only endorses One8 and Puma but he also co-owns One8. His deal with One8 is also higher than some of his fellow celebrities, such as Salman Khan, who earned ₹7 crore from Being Human in 2018, and Shah Rukh Khan, who earned ₹6 crore from Lux in 2017.
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5. Mobile Premier League (MPL)
Mobile Premier League (MPL) is a mobile gaming and esports platform that offers various games and tournaments, and rewards users with cash prizes. The platform was founded in 2018 by Sai Srinivas Kiran G and Shubham Malhotra and is based in Bengaluru, India. MPL has over 60 games in categories such as fantasy sports, sports games, puzzles, casual, and board games. MPL also partners with major sports leagues such as the NBA and Pro Kabaddi League.
Endorsement Deal
MPL signed up Indian cricketer Virat Kohli as its brand ambassador in March 2019, right before the ODI World Cup. The deal was said to be worth around ₹12 crore INR, and it involved Kohli appearing in various advertisements and campaigns for MPL. The deal was renewed in January 2020 for another year.
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Value and Comparison
Kohli’s deal with the fantasy gaming platform MPL is one of the most expensive fantasy gaming deals in India. His deal with MPL is also higher than some of his fellow celebrities, such as Mahendra Singh Dhoni who earned ₹4 crore INR endorsing Dream11, and Hardik Pandya who earned ₹1 crore INR from HalaPlay.
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6. Colgate
Colgate is a leading oral care brand that offers toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, and dental floss. The brand is owned by Colgate-Palmolive, an American multinational consumer products company headquartered in New York City. Colgate was founded in 1806 by William Colgate, who started as a soap and candle maker. Colgate introduced its first toothpaste in 1873, and its first toothbrush in 1938. Colgate is one of the most trusted and recognized brands in the world, with a presence in over 200 countries and territories.
Endorsement Deal
Colgate signed Virat Kohli as its brand ambassador in 2017, as part of its campaign to promote oral hygiene and dental care in India. The deal was said to be worth around ₹50 crore, making it one of the highest endorsement deals in the oral care industry. The deal involved Kohli appearing in various advertisements and campaigns for Colgate, such as the Colgate Total Charcoal Deep Clean, Colgate Active Salt, and Colgate Swarna Vedshakti.
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Value and Comparison
Virat Kohli’s deal with Colgate was one of the most lucrative oral care endorsement deals in India. His deal with Colgate is also higher than some of his fellow celebrities, such as Amitabh Bachchan, who earned ₹10 crore from Dabur in 2018, and Alia Bhatt, who earned ₹6 crore from Sensodyne in 2017.
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7. Duroflex
Duroflex is a mattress and sleep solutions brand that offers a range of products for different sleeping needs and preferences. The brand was founded in 1963 by PC Mathew, who started as a modest mattress factory along a canal in Kerala. Today, Duroflex is a leading enterprise in the sleep products category, with a revenue of over Rs 500 crore and over 500 employees. It owns three manufacturing facilities in South India and produces mattresses from coir, spring, and foam. It also offers pillows, mattress protectors, and other sleep accessories. Duroflex retails its products through its physical and online channels and has over 500 styles to choose from.
Endorsement Deal
Duroflex signed Virat Kohli as its brand ambassador in May 2023, as part of its campaign to promote the importance of quality sleep for good health and an active lifestyle. The deal was said to be worth around ₹12 crore, and it involved Kohli appearing in various advertisements and campaigns for Duroflex, such as the Duroflex Duropedic, Duroflex LiveIn, and Duroflex Sound Sleep. Alia Bhatt was the brand ambassador of the brand before Virat Kohli.
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Value and Comparison
Virat Kohli’s deal with Duroflex is also higher than some of his fellow celebrities, such as Kareena Kapoor who earned ₹4 crore INR for endorsing Springfit Mattresses, and P. V. Sindhu who earned ₹1.5 crore INR for promoting Centuary Mattresses. Alia Bhatt, who was the former brand ambassador of Duroflex Mattress earned ₹3 crore INR.
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8. Himalaya
Himalaya is a wellness and personal care brand that offers natural and ayurvedic products for skin, hair, body, and health. The company was founded in 1930 by Mohammad Manal, who was inspired by the healing properties of ayurvedic herbs. Himalaya has a range of products that include pharmaceuticals, personal care, baby care, nutrition, animal health, and cleaning agents. The company operates in over 100 countries and has a presence in India, the United States, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.
Endorsement deal
Himalaya announced Virat Kohli, the captain of the Indian cricket team, as its brand ambassador in May 2019. The deal was for two years and involved Kohli endorsing Himalaya’s men’s face care range. The deal also included Kohli featuring in Himalaya’s digital, TV, and print campaigns.
According to industry sources, the estimated value of the deal was around ₹10 crore, making it one of the most expensive endorsement deals ever made by a startup. Himalaya chose Kohli as its brand ambassador because of his popularity, charisma, and performance on the field.
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Value and Comparison
Virat Kohli’s endorsement deal with Himalaya for men’s face care range was one of the highest in India. His deal with Himalaya was even higher than Shahrukh Khan who earned ₹3.5 crore INR for endorsing Fair and Handsome and John Abraham who earned ₹2 crore INR for endorsing Garnier Men.
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9. Audi
Audi is a German automotive manufacturer of luxury vehicles headquartered in Ingolstadt, Bavaria, Germany. A subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, Audi produces vehicles in nine production facilities worldwide. The origins of the company are complex, dating back to the early 20th century and the initial enterprises (Horch and the Audiwerke) founded by engineer August Horch (1868–1951). Two other manufacturers (DKW and Wanderer) also contributed to the foundation of Auto Union in 1932. The modern Audi era began in the 1960s when Auto Union was acquired by Volkswagen from Daimler-Benz.
Endorsement Deal
Virat Kohli, the iconic Indian cricketer and former captain of the Indian cricket team, has been associated with Audi India since 2015. He has been an integral part of the company’s marketing and social campaigns over the years, promoting various models such as the Audi A8, R8, and Q7. Kohli is also an enthusiastic Audi car lover and owns several high-end Audi models in his collection.
According to industry sources, Virat Kohli signed a whopping eight-year, ₹110 crore INR, contract with Audi India in 2015, making it one of the most expensive endorsement deals in the country. The deal is said to be active until 2023. According to sources, Audi extended its contract with Virat Kohli.
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Value and Comparison
Virat Kohli’s deal with Audi is also higher than the deals of other cricketers and film stars who endorse car brands, such as MS Dhoni, who endorses Mahindra, and Sachin Tendulkar, who endorses BMW, Ranveer Singh, who endorses Lamborghini, and Amitabh Bachchan, who endorses Mercedes-Benz.
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10. Tissot
Tissot is a Swiss watch brand that was founded in 1853 by Charles-Félicien Tissot and his son Charles-Émile Tissot in Le Locle, Switzerland. The company is known for its innovation and quality in watchmaking, offering a variety of styles and functions for different occasions and purposes. Some of its products include sports watches, classic watches, pocket watches, smartwatches, and special editions. Tissot is also an official timekeeper for many international sports events, such as cycling, motorcycling, fencing, and ice hockey.
Endorsement Deal
Tissot signed Virat Kohli as its brand ambassador for India in 2016. Kohli is one of the most popular and successful cricketers in the world, and the former captain of the Indian national cricket team. He is also a style icon and a fashion influencer, with over 234 million followers on Instagram.
According to media reports, Tissot paid Kohli around ₹6 crores INR per year for the endorsement deal, which lasted for three years until 2019. The deal included Kohli featuring in Tissot’s print and digital advertisements, as well as launching and promoting Tissot’s products in India.
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Value and Comparison
Tissot’s endorsement deal with Kohli was surely the highest-paid celebrity endorsement deal for a sports star in India at the time but it wasn’t the highest ever. Virat Kohli’s deal with Tissot was higher than Rohit Sharma’s endorsement deal with Hublot for ₹1 crore INR but it wasn’t higher than Ranveer Singh’s deal with the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer Franck Muller which was worth more than ₹10 crore INR.
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