New Delhi: The whole cricket-crazy nation is celebrating the 36th birthday of Virat Kohli. Widely regarded as the greatest batter of his generation, the master batter has dominated bowlers from every country and has amassed over 27000 international runs in 538 matches.
Virat’s superlative performances on the cricket field, combined with his enigmatic presence on the internet have made him the most popular personality among brands.
In July this year, Kohli scripted history by overtaking Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Ranveer Singh to become India’s top celebrity in terms of brand value. As per Kroll’s Celebrity Brand Valuation Report 2023, Kohli’s brand value rose by 29 per cent, reaching $227.9 million (around Rs 1,900 crore).
Kohli’s name and face value attracts top brands who never miss an opportunity to use his popularity as a promotional tool. A viral social media post from Kohli’s birthday last year is going viral. The post shows Swiggy, the popular online food/grocery ordering and delivery company, using Kohli’s nickname ‘Cheeku’ on a banner to sell fruits. Kohli is famously called by his nickname ‘Cheeku’, which is also a famous fruit Sapodilla plum.
WATCH THE VIRAL POST
Who remembers this gem from Virat Kohli’s birthday last year? 🤌❤️ pic.twitter.com/khB5soOg6G
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 5, 2024
Celebrity brand value is calculated after taking several factors into account. It includes endorsements, sponsorships, popularity, public image, social media impact, marketability, financial measures, reputation, career longevity, and industry comparison.
Highest-earning Instagram creator
Kohli also rules the social media charts. Last year a report ranked him as India’s highest-earning Instagram creator, According to Hopper HQ, Kohli demands a whopping fee of Rs 14 crore for each post on Instagram. The cricket legend was the only Indian to feature in the global top 20 list of Instagram earners, as per the 2023 Hopper HQ ranking.
Kohli’s estimated annual earnings are $33 million every year making him one of the highest-paid athletes in the world and the best-paid cricketer globally. His current net worth is estimated at a whopping Rs 1,050 crore.
