Top 5 Diverse Income Streams of Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli's income streams
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Virat Kohli is more than just a cricketer. He is a brand, a phenomenon, and a legend. He is the former captain of the Indian cricket team, the world’s best batsman, and the most followed Indian on social media. He has won countless awards, trophies, and accolades for his outstanding performances on the field. But do you know how he makes his money off the field?

In this article, we will explore the top 5 diverse income streams of Virat Kohli, and how they contribute to his whopping net worth of over ₹1065 crore INR. You will be amazed to see how Virat Kohli has diversified his sources of income and how he uses his fame, influence, and passion to create wealth and value for himself and others.

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These are the Top 5 Income Streams of Virat Kohli

1. Salary as a Cricket Player

Virat Kohli's salary from BCCI

Virat Kohli is one of the highest-paid cricketers in the world, earning a salary from playing for India and the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). His salary consists of two main components: his annual contract with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and his IPL salary.

According to the BCCI’s annual player retainership list for 2020-21, Kohli is among the three players who are in the Grade A+ category, along with Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah. This means that he receives an annual salary of ₹7 crore INR (approximately $900,000) from the BCCI for representing India in all three formats of the game: Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.

Virat Kohli gets match fees of ₹15 lakh per Test match, ₹6 lakh per ODI, and ₹3 lakh per T20I match. Assuming he plays all the matches for India in a year, he can earn up to INR 8.5 crore from the BCCI contract alone. This is the highest salary grade for Indian cricketers and reflects Kohli’s status as the captain and the best batsman of the team.

In addition to his BCCI salary, Kohli also earns a hefty amount from playing in the IPL, the most lucrative T20 league in the world. Kohli has been associated with RCB since the inception of the IPL in 2008 and is the only player to have played for the same franchise throughout his IPL career.

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Virat Kohli IPL team RCB

He is also the highest run-scorer in the history of the IPL, with 7,263 runs in 237 matches as of November 2023. Kohli is currently on a contract worth ₹15 crore INR for IPL 2023, which he signed after being retained as the first pick by RCB ahead of the IPL 2022 mega-auction. This is 2 crores down from the INR 17 crore per season salary he drew from IPL 2018 to 2021. However, he remains the third-highest-paid player in the IPL, behind KL Rahul and Pat Cummins, who both earn ₹17 crore INR per season.

Kohli’s salary from playing cricket makes him one of the top earners in the sport globally. According to Forbes, he was the only cricketer to feature in the list of the world’s 100 highest-paid athletes in 2020, ranking at No. 66 with total earnings of $26 million, including $24 million from endorsements and $2 million from salary and winnings. He was also the only Indian sportsperson to make it to the list, which is dominated by soccer, basketball, and tennis stars.

Kohli’s salary is comparable to some of the top athletes in other sports, such as Gareth Bale, David De Gea, and Alexis Sanchez, who all earned $25 million to $26 million in 2020. However, he was far behind the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Roger Federer, who topped the list with earnings of $104 million, $105 million, and $106.3 million, respectively.

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2. Endorsements

Virat Kohli brand endorsements

Virat Kohli is one of the most popular and influential celebrities in India, who earns a huge amount of money from endorsing various brands and products. He is the face of many prominent names in sports, fashion, lifestyle, automobiles, personal care, and more. Some of his notable endorsements include Puma, Myntra, Audi, Colgate, Wrogn, MRF Tyres, Too Yumm, Uber, MPL, Vicks, Boost Energy, Vivo, and Toothsi.

According to a report by Economic Times, a top news media, Kohli endorses more than 19 brands and has an estimated endorsement value of USD 176.9 million (close to INR 1,400 crore) in 2023. This is a slight decline from his previous brand value of USD 185.7 million in 2022 and USD 237.7 million in 2020. However, he still remains one of the most valued celebrity brands in India, ranking second after actor Ranveer Singh, who has a brand value of USD 181.7 million in 2023.

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A post shared by Virat Kohli (@virat.kohli)

Kohli’s brand value reflects his immense popularity, charisma, and exceptional cricketing skills. He is widely admired for his passion, dedication, and leadership qualities. He also has a massive fan following on social media platforms, with more than 264 million followers on Instagram alone. As a brand ambassador, Kohli appeals to a wide range of audiences, especially the youth, who look up to him as a role model and inspiration. He also promotes social causes and initiatives, such as fitness, education, environment, and animal welfare.

He has a strong association with sports and fitness-related brands, such as Puma, MRF Tyres, and Boost, showcasing his athletic prowess and performance. He also has a stylish and trendy persona, which makes him a perfect fit for fashion and lifestyle brands, such as Myntra, Wrogn, and Audi. He also connects with the masses through his endorsements of popular and affordable brands, such as Colgate, Too Yumm, and Vicks. He has also created his athleisure brand, One8, in collaboration with Puma, which reflects his style and vision.

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3. Investments

Virat Kohli startup and ventures
Credit: Hurun India

Virat Kohli is not only a cricket legend, but also a savvy investor and entrepreneur. He has invested his money in various ventures and businesses, such as sports, fitness, technology, education, etc. He has a vision of supporting innovative and impactful startups that can create value for society and the environment. He also has a strategy of diversifying his portfolio and leveraging his brand value as a global icon.

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Here are some of the companies he has invested in, the amount he has invested, and the profit the companies are making:

Rage Coffee

A New Delhi-based coffee brand that offers natural and instant coffee products. Kohli invested an undisclosed amount in March 2022 and became the brand ambassador of the company. The company aims to scale its production, launch new products, and strengthen its senior management team with its investment. The company claims to have grown 10x in revenue in the last year and has a presence in over 1000 retail outlets across India.

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Blue Tribe

A Mumbai-based startup that offers plant-based meat products that are healthy, environmentally friendly, and cruelty-free. Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma invested an undisclosed amount in February 2021 and became the brand ambassador of the company. The company aims to expand its product range, distribution network, and consumer base with its investment. The company has a monthly revenue of over ₹1 crore INR and has partnered with over 200 restaurants and online platforms.

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Sport Convo

A London-based social media startup that aims to bridge the gap between athletes and their fans. Kohli invested an undisclosed amount in 2015 and became the global brand ambassador of the company. The company aims to create a platform where fans can interact with their favorite sports stars, get exclusive content, and win rewards. Real Madrid star and popular football player Gareth Bale is also a co-founder of the company. The company has over 1.5 million users and has partnered with over 100 sports celebrities.

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Universal Sportsbiz

A Bengaluru-based fashion startup that owns and operates brands such as Wrogn, Imara, and Ms.Taken. Kohli invested ₹19.3 crore INR in 2015 through his entity Cornerstone Sports LLP and owns a stake in the company. He also co-owns and endorses the Wrogn brand, which is a youth-focused casual wear brand. The company aims to become a leading player in the fashion and lifestyle segment with its investment. Universal Sportzbiz is also backed by the Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar who is also a investor in the company. The company has a revenue of over ₹300 crore INR in 2022 and has over 250 offline stores and 1000 online outlets.

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Galactus Funware Technology Pvt Ltd

A Bengaluru-based startup that operates Mobile Premier League (MPL), a mobile gaming and esports platform. Kohli invested ₹33.42 lakh INR in 2019 and became the brand ambassador of the company. The company aims to provide a platform where users can play various games, compete with others, and win cash prizes. The company has over 60 million users and has raised over $225 million from investors.

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Digit

A Pune-based insurance startup that offers simple and transparent insurance products and services. Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma invested Rs 2.5 crore in 2021 and own 0.25% of the company. The company aims to make insurance accessible, affordable, and hassle-free for everyone with their investment. The company has a valuation of over $4 billion and has over 20 million customers.

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Chisel Fitness

A Bengaluru-based fitness startup that operates a chain of gyms and fitness centers. Kohli invested ₹90 crore INR in 2014 and co-founded the company with Franchise India. He also owns 30% of the company and endorses the brand. The company aims to provide a holistic and personalized fitness experience to its customers with its investment. The company has over 50 centers across India and has over 1 lakh members.

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Hyperice

A US-based wellness startup that offers devices and technologies for muscle recovery and performance enhancement. Kohli invested an undisclosed amount in 2021 and became the brand ambassador of the company in India. The company aims to enter and grow in the Indian market with its investment. The company has a valuation of over $700 million and has over 1 million customers worldwide.

These are some of the startups that have received funding from Kohli and have benefited from his expertise, network, and influence. Kohli has shown his keen interest and acumen in investing in promising and innovative startups that can make a difference in the world.

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4. Social Media

Virat Kohli's instagram account

Virat Kohli is not only a cricketing superstar, but also a social media sensation. He has a massive fan following across various platforms, such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, where he shares his personal and professional updates, fitness tips, brand endorsements, and social causes. Kohli earns a huge amount of money from his social media presence and engagement, especially on Instagram and Twitter, where he is the most followed cricketer in the world.

According to Hopper HQ, a social media marketing solutions platform, Kohli was the highest-earning Indian influencer on Instagram in 2021, and 19th in the world. He made $1.3 million or over ₹11.45 crore per sponsored post on the photo-sharing app in 2023, where he has over 264 million followers. He also became the first cricketer to reach 50 million followers on Twitter in 2022, where he charges ₹2.5 crore per tweet. He has over 49 million followers on Facebook, which takes his social media presence to over 310 million followers.

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Kohli’s popularity and reach as a social media influencer and content creator are unparalleled in the cricketing world. He has outshone the combined social media following of legendary athletes like LeBron James, Tom Brady, and Tiger Woods. He has also collaborated with many global and local brands, such as Puma, Audi, Star Sports, Ocean Beverages, MPL, Wrogn, One8, and many more, to promote their products and services through his social media posts.

He has also used his social media platforms to support various social and environmental causes, such as COVID-19 awareness, domestic violence prevention, animal welfare, and climate change. He is also careful about the brands and causes he associates with, and avoids endorsing products that are harmful or unethical.

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5. Personal Branding

Virat Kohli's personal brand value

Virat Kohli has built a formidable personal brand that reflects his passion, style, and personality. Apart from his earnings from cricket, Kohli makes a substantial income from his personal brand products. Here are some of the details of his personal brand products and how he earns money from them:

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One8

One8 is Kohli’s own athleisure line, which he launched in collaboration with Puma in 2017. The name One8 is derived from Kohli’s jersey number 18, which he considers lucky. The line offers a range of apparel, footwear, and accessories for men, women, and kids, inspired by Kohli’s fitness and fashion sense. One8 aims to encourage people to adopt an active lifestyle and express themselves through their clothing choices.

According to reports, One8 generated a revenue of Rs 100 crore in the first year of its launch and has been growing steadily ever since. Kohli earns a royalty from every sale of One8 products, as well as a fixed fee from Puma for endorsing the brand.

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One8 Fragrances

One8 Fragrances is Kohli’s perfume brand, which he launched in 2018 in partnership with Scentials, a company co-founded by former tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi. The brand offers a range of deodorants, body sprays, and eau de parfums for men, with names such as Aqua, Active, Fresh, Intense, and Willow.

The fragrances are designed to suit different moods and occasions and reflect Kohli’s charisma and confidence. Kohli earns a percentage of the revenue from every sale of One8 Fragrances, as well as a fixed fee from Scentials for endorsing the brand.

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Virat Kohli Official App

Virat Kohli Official App is Kohli’s mobile app, which he launched in 2018 on his 30th birthday. The app is a platform for Kohli’s fans to connect with him and get exclusive access to his personal and professional life. The app features live chats, videos, photos, news, trivia, quizzes, and more. The app also allows fans to shop for Kohli’s merchandise, such as One8 products, Wrogn products, and autographed memorabilia.

The app is free to download, but some of the content and features are available only for premium subscribers, who pay a monthly or annual fee. Kohli earns money from the subscription fees, as well as from the sales of his merchandise through the app.

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Other personal brand products

Virat Kohli Muve Acoustics

Apart from the above-mentioned products, Kohli also has other personal brand products, such as:

  • Wrogn, a youth fashion brand, which he co-owns with Universal Sportsbiz Pvt Ltd (USPL).
  • MuveAcoustics, a premium audio equipment brand, which he co-owns with Hong Kong-based Zeeva International Ltd.
  • Digit Insurance, a general insurance company, which he invested in and became its brand ambassador in 2019.
  • TruFan, a social media engagement platform, which he invested in and became its brand ambassador in 2020.

Kohli earns money from these products either by owning a stake in the companies or by receiving a fee or a royalty for endorsing them.

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Conclusion

We have seen the top 5 diverse income streams of Virat Kohli, and how they make him one of the richest and most influential celebrities in the world. He earns money from cricket, endorsements, social media, business ventures, and charity. He has a net worth of over ₹1065 crore, which is more than most of the top celebrities and sports stars in India.

He is not only a great cricketer, but also a smart businessman, a generous philanthropist, and a role model for millions of fans. He has shown us that with hard work, passion, and vision, anything is possible. He has also shown us that money is not the end goal, but a means to achieve greater things in life. Virat Kohli is truly an inspiration for all of us.

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