In the latest financial year, Virat Kohli, the esteemed former captain of the Indian cricket team, has once again emerged as the highest tax-paying sportsperson in India.
According to Fortune India, Kohli contributed a remarkable Rs 66 crore in taxes, reinforcing his position as a leading figure both on and off the cricket field. His contributions surpassed those of other cricketing legends such as MS Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar. Kohli’s impressive tax payments not only secured him the top spot in the sports category but also earned him the fifth position on the overall list of highest tax-paying celebrities, trailing only behind iconic Bollywood figures like Shah Rukh Khan, Vijay Salman Khan and Amitabh Bachchan.
Dhoni, renowned for leading India to a World Cup victory, secured the seventh position on the overall list of top tax-payers, with a substantial Rs 38 crore paid during the past financial year. Close behind him, the legendary Tendulkar contributed Rs 28 crore, marking his place among the top sportspersons in terms of tax payments. Other notable mentions include former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, who paid Rs 23 crore, and current all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who contributed Rs 13 crore. Additionally, the young and talented wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant rounded out the list of prominent cricketers with a tax payment of Rs 10 crore.
It is noteworthy that Rohit Sharma, the current Indian captain, did not feature in the top ranks of this high tax-paying list, which is unexpected given his significant stature in Indian cricket. His absence from the list of top tax-paying sportspersons comes as a surprise, considering his prominent role in the sport. Nonetheless, the top five tax-paying athletes were represented by Ganguly and Pandya, both of whom have made considerable contributions on and off the field.
As of 2024, Kohli’s net worth is estimated to exceed ₹1,000 crore (approximately $127 million). This substantial wealth primarily stems from his illustrious cricketing career, which includes lucrative contracts with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and substantial earnings from his participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
In addition to his cricketing income, Kohli’s financial portfolio is bolstered by numerous endorsements with global brands such as Puma, Audi, and MRF. His ventures extend beyond cricket, with a notable foray into the business world through his fitness brand “One8,” developed in collaboration with Puma.
Kohli is set to showcase his skills in the forthcoming two-match home Test series against Bangladesh. The series is scheduled to commence with the first Test at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday, September 19, followed by the second and final Test at Kanpur’s Green Park Stadium starting Friday, September 27.
