Sachin Tendulkar, the Richie Rich of Indian cricket, deserves every penny
Not a single soul in this country or others would begrudge the greatest cricketer of this generation a single cent.
- Updated: 01 November 2013 13:41 IST
Between November 6 and November 18, India and the rest of the cricketing world will focus its attention on the stance, shuffles, glances and drives of Sachin Tendulkar. The Master Blaster will call it a day after the second Test versus West Indies (his 200th) - an event possibly on par with the fall of the Berlin Wall, or any other such emotionally-charged atmosphere.
As the dust settles and Sachin heads into retirement with a deserved kitty for 24 years of servitude with the bat to a nation who reveres him at par with 'God'. According to Wealth X ('definitive source of intelligence on the ultra-wealthy'), Sachin is expected to welcome the dusk with an estimated personal fortune of US$160 million (approximately 1000 Crore). As much as Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh and Virat Kohli have risen in popularity stakes, their wealth is dwarfed by the Little Master. (Note: 'Dwarfed' is subjective as Wealth X only aggregates the ultra-rich!). Even his contemporary in ability, personality and period - Rahul Dravid - is nowhere near the value of a Sachin.
Dhoni is valued at $50 million, Yuvraj at $30 million, Dravid at $20 million and Kohli at $15 million. Sachin's net worth is estimated to be higher than all four above-mentioned players combined, a stunning achievement considering his form has been on the wane over the past two years. The earnings have dimmed in comparison though. In June this year, Forbes released a list which ranked Dhoni as the 31st highest-paid sportsperson in the world. Sachin was placed a 'lowly' 78.
Nonetheless, not a single soul in this country or others would begrudge the greatest cricketer of this generation a single cent. As a 17-year-old frustrating the English at Old Trafford, to his twin desert-storm knocks against Shane Warne and Co. in Sharjah, Sachin has provided entertainment worth every penny. The passion that the Master evokes, the television sets that go off when he is dismissed, contribute to an aura that is part human, part divine. Sachin is as much as a brand name as he is a cricketer and the question of 'what next?' springs to mind. (Also read: Special gold coin at toss for Sachin's 200th)
Like many former greats, Sachin could become a commentator, where he would be welcomed with open arms. He did try a stint during this year's Indian Premier League, and to be honest, the results were far for exemplary. However, as Sourav Ganguly has proved, improvement comes with the job and who wouldn't want to hear Sachin speak his mind. However it is most likely that Sachin will pursue his business interests. An avid fan or cars and a renowned foodie, the restaurant or the automobile business is likely to swing to his tunes. He has recently invested and promoted a travel portal. Retirement or not, he will rake in the moolah, deservedly so!