Not Virat Kohli or MS Dhoni: Meet India's richest cricketer with net worth of Rs 20,000 crore

In India, cricket is more than a sport; it's a part of everyday life. Families come together around the TV during big tournaments, passionately cheering for their favorite players. Cricket heroes are worshipped, with their every action watched closely and celebrated. The game crosses all boundaries of age, gender, and social status, acting as a unifying force for millions of people across the nation. When we think about India's richest cricketers, names like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, and Sachin Tendulkar often come to mind.

Apart from their earnings from playing cricket, these stars also rake in money through brand endorsements. However, none of these well-known cricketers are India's wealthiest. It is Samarjitsinh Ranjitsinh Gaekwad, a name that may be less familiar but with his massive wealth, he surpassed even the most popular cricket superstars not just in India but globally.

Despite being born into a royal family with immense wealth, Samarjitsinh's passion for cricket remains strong. He continues to support the sport with his cricket academy and other activities. His story is an extremely uncommon combination of royalty, sports, and philanthropy, making him an influential personality in Indian cricket history.

Who is Samarjitsinh Ranjitsinh Gaekwad?

Samarjitsinh Ranjitsinh Gaekwad

Samarjitsinh Ranjitsinh Gaekwad, born in April 1967, is India's richest cricketer. He is the only son of Ranjitsinh Pratapsinh Gaekwad and Shubhanginiraje. Samarjitsinh Gaekwad attended the prestigious Doon School, where he led the football, tennis, and cricket teams, showcasing his love of sports.

The Richest Cricketer in India

Samarjitsinh Ranjitsinh Gaekwad, a former cricketer, has a magnificent net worth of more than Rs 20,000 crore, according to DNA India and several other websites, he surpasses the combined wealth of even the most popular players such as Virat Kohli (Net worth Rs 768 crore), MS Dhoni (Net worth Rs 926 crore) and Sachin Tendulkar (Net worth Rs 1400 crore), according to Business Insider. After his father's death, he became Maharaja of Baroda and lived in the glorious Laxmi Vilas Palace, one of the world's largest private luxurious homes. In addition to his fortune, he manages the trusts of 17 popular temples in Baroda and Banaras.

A Royal Family and a Love for Sports

Samarjitsinh is married to Radhikaraje Gaekwad, from the royal family of Wankaner in Gujarat. They have two daughters and live in the luxurious Laxmi Vilas Palace spread over 500 acres and is bigger than Buckingham Palace. Samarjitsinh played cricket for Baroda in the Ranji Trophy, appearing in six first-class matches as a top-order batsman between 1987 to 1989. He later became a cricket administrator, serving as the president of the Baroda Cricket Association, and now runs a cricket academy at the Moti Bagh Stadium. Besides cricket, he has a keen interest in golf and has developed a 10-hole golf course and clubhouse at the Laxmi Vilas Palace complex.

Life Beyond Cricket

Samarjitsinh Ranjitsinh Gaekwad

Since 2002, Samarjitsinh and Radhikaraje have lived with their daughters and Shubhanginiraje in the Palace. As Maharaja, he has opened part of the palace for private ceremonies under the Laxmi Vilas Banquets venture. Although Samarjitsinh joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in November 2014, he has remained inactive in politics since 2017.

History of the Gaekwad Dynasty

The Gaekwad rule in Baroda started in 1721 when Maratha general Pilaji Rao Gaekwad captured the city from the Mughal Empire. Chhatrapati Shahu I of the Maratha Empire rewarded Pilaji's family by giving them Baroda as a jagir (a type of land grant). After the Marathas lost the Battle of Panipat in 1761, several Maratha clans, including the Gaekwads, became almost independent rulers. In 1802, the Maharajas of Baroda signed the Treaty of Cambay with the British, which allowed them to govern locally while acknowledging British authority. This arrangement lasted until India gained independence in 1947.

Samarjitsinh Ranjitsinh Gaekwad, with his impressive net worth and royal heritage, stands out as India's richest cricketer, overshadowing even the biggest names in the sport. His life story, marked by sports, royalty, and business ventures, continues to inspire many across the nation.