Virat Kohli has retired from Test cricket. He is also a global brand. As a brand, Kohli has created a powerful and marketable identity by combining his on-field achievements, charismatic personality and strategic business ventures. Here we are telling in 5 points what makes Virat Kohli a global brand… 1. Excellence and performance Kohli is considered one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history, scoring over 27,000 international runs. This includes 82 centuries (30 Tests, 51 ODIs, 1 T20I). His consistency, aggressive batting style and record-breaking performances (e.g., fastest to 8,000-13,000 ODI runs) have earned him a reputation as a top-tier athlete. 2. Fitness and discipline Kohli is a fitness icon, known for his rigorous training and dietary discipline (e.g., adopting a vegetarian lifestyle). His transformation from a young player to a fitness-focused athlete inspires fans. 3. Passion and authenticity Kohli’s aggressive celebrations on the field reflect his passion and connect with fans. Off the field, his candid conversations, philanthropy (e.g., Virat Kohli Foundation) and openness about mental health create an authentic and humanized brand image. 4. Youth appeal At 36, Kohli’s modern lifestyle, fashion sense and social media presence connect with younger audiences. His roots in Delhi and middle-class upbringing also connect him with India’s aspirational youth. 5. Global appeal Kohli has fans outside India as well. He has fans in countries like Australia, England and UAE. This is driven by his universal appeal as a sportsperson and a style icon. His marriage to Bollywood star Anushka Sharma adds to his brand glamour. That is, through a combination of personal qualities, professional achievement and public perception, Virat Kohli has managed to become a global brand. Advertising and Brand Associations Kohli’s endorsement portfolio spans across diverse sectors, reflecting his versatile brand appeal. His major endorsements include brands such as Puma, Audi, MRF, MPL, Hero MotoCorp, Tissot, Manyavar, Myntra, Vivo, Pepsi, American Tourister and Digit Insurance. Business Ventures Kohli has also started businesses by taking advantage of his brand image: Virat has also surpassed Shahrukh in brand value According to the Duff & Phelps report, Virat Kohli was India’s most valuable celebrity brand in 2023. His value was $227.9 million i.e., around Rs 1900 crore. He also surpassed Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan ($120.7 million i.e., around Rs 1 thousand crore). However, now his estimated brand value is close to Rs 1000 crore. BCCI A+ central contract fetches Rs 7 crore Virat Kohli’s journey to becoming one of India’s highest-paid athletes began with his BCCI A+ central contract, which earns him Rs 7 crore annually. Apart from this, he also gets a per match fee – Rs 15 lakh for Tests, Rs 6 lakh for ODIs and Rs 3 lakh for T20Is. However, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been the most lucrative domestic contract of his career. Kohli has been the face of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) since the inception of the league in 2008. What started as a modest Rs 12 lakh contract has now turned into an annual deal worth Rs 21 crore in 2025. According to OneCricket, his total earnings from the IPL now stand at Rs 212.44 crore.
