TV
Cricket is a highly popular sport, and Indian cricketers earn massive amounts through the game and endorsements. While names like Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, and Virat Kohli are often considered among the richest, there's a lesser-known cricketer who surpasses them all—Samarjitsinh Ranjitsinh Gaekwad, India's wealthiest cricketer.
Born in April 1967, Samarjitsinh hails from the royal Gaekwad family of Baroda. He attended The Doon School, where he developed an interest in sports, captaining his school's teams in football, tennis, and cricket.
Playing cricket at a competitive level, he represented Vadodara in the Ranji Trophy during the 1987/88 and 1988/89 seasons. Despite his relatively low-profile cricket career, he became the president of the Vadodara Cricket Association.
ALSO READ: Top Indian cricketers who have played in foreign leagues
However, his immense wealth is largely due to his royal heritage as he inherited a vast fortune after a settlement with his uncle, making him the richest cricketer in India, with an estimated net worth of over Rs 20,000 crores.
In 2012, following his father's death, he was crowned the Maharaja of Vadodara in a grand ceremony at the Laxmi Vilas Palace, which is another magnificence of its own.
Laxmi Vilas Palace, owned by Samarjitsinh, is the largest private residence in the world, spanning over 500 acres—four times the size of Buckingham Palace.
Meanwhile, Samarjitsinh is married to Radhikaraje Gaekwad from the royal family of Wankaner, Gujarat, and they have two daughters. Apart from cricket, he has a keen interest in golf and has established a 10-hole golf course and clubhouse within the Laxmi Vilas Palace complex.
ALSO READ: 8 Indian-origin cricketers who represented other countries
Despite his quiet presence in the cricket world, Samarjitsinh Gaekwad remains significant due to his royal legacy and immense wealth.
