Shubman Gill ranked above Ronaldo-Messi in most marketable athletes list, Dhoni-Kohli-Rohit totally snubbed

Shubman Gill ranked above Ronaldo-Messi in most marketable athletes list, Dhoni-Kohli-Rohit totally snubbed

Shubman Gill Leads Indian Cricketers in SportsPro’s 2026 Most Marketable Athletes Ranking

India’s next generation of cricket stars is making its mark beyond the boundary. Shubman Gill has emerged as the country’s highest-ranked cricketer in SportsPro’s 2026 list of the 50 Most Marketable Athletes, placing 13th overall and ahead of football icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

The ranking highlights the growing commercial appeal of Indian sport and the influence of athletes who connect with audiences across social media, sponsorships and global competition. Gill is joined in the top 50 by fellow men’s cricketers Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant, as well as India women’s stars Jemimah Rodrigues and Smriti Mandhana. Together, the five are the only Indian cricketers included in this year’s top 50.

Gill’s rise reflects a new generation of cricket fandom

Gill’s position at No. 13 places him among the most commercially promising athletes in the world. At 26, the India captain has a profile that combines high-level performance with strong appeal among younger fans. His visibility in international cricket, growing leadership responsibilities and substantial digital following have helped make him one of the sport’s most recognisable emerging figures.

His ranking is particularly notable because he sits above Ronaldo, who is 14th, and Lionel Messi, who is 27th. That comparison does not suggest that Gill has surpassed either footballer in overall fame or career achievements. Rather, SportsPro’s list assesses marketability through a specific mix of brand strength, recent momentum and future commercial potential. Gill’s age, career trajectory and connection with a rapidly expanding cricket audience may all contribute to his strong position.

Gill’s rise also reflects a broader shift in how sports stars build influence. Today, an athlete’s marketability can be shaped not only by trophies and statistics, but also by their ability to engage fans between matches, appeal to brands and remain relevant across different platforms. For cricket, which commands enormous audiences in India and beyond, a young captain with international exposure offers a particularly attractive combination.

Five Indian cricketers feature in the top 50

Gill is the highest-placed Indian, but the list also recognises the commercial reach of several other players. Jemimah Rodrigues ranks 31st, Rishabh Pant is 36th, Smriti Mandhana is 37th and Jasprit Bumrah is 39th. Rodrigues and Mandhana are both positioned ahead of Bumrah, underlining the increasing visibility and commercial influence of women’s cricket.

The inclusion of two members of India’s Women’s ODI World Cup-winning side is especially significant. Rodrigues and Mandhana have become familiar faces to fans through their performances, media presence and growing role in the sport’s expanding women’s competitions. Their rankings point to a wider opportunity for brands and broadcasters as interest in women’s cricket continues to grow.

Pant’s place in the top 50 reflects his distinctive public profile and ability to attract attention, while Bumrah’s reputation as one of the world’s leading fast bowlers gives him strong recognition among cricket followers. The five selections show that Indian cricket’s commercial presence is not limited to a single star or format: it spans men’s and women’s teams, batting and bowling, and established as well as emerging audiences.

How SportsPro calculates its marketability ranking

SportsPro’s Most Marketable Athletes ranking, often referred to as the 50MM, is an annual assessment of athletes’ commercial potential. The project began in 2010 and considers far more than sporting results. Its stated framework scores athletes out of 100 across three pillars: Brand Equity, Momentum and Commercial Trajectory.

Brand Equity is worth up to 45 points and measures the strength, trust and reach of an athlete’s personal brand. Momentum accounts for 40 points and looks at how quickly that brand is growing. Commercial Trajectory makes up the remaining 15 points, assessing the athlete’s potential to develop further business opportunities in the future.

The research process is broad in scope. SportsPro considers 1,202 athletes across 70 sports before narrowing the field to 247 candidates for detailed analysis. The evaluation uses 27 marketability variables and draws on hundreds of data points for each athlete, alongside more than 3,000 brand partnership records. Factors include audience size, online search interest, media sentiment and recent commercial agreements.

That methodology helps explain why the ranking can differ from a list based on sporting achievements or lifetime fame. A veteran with a celebrated career may remain hugely popular while scoring differently on measures of growth or future commercial opportunity. The list is best understood as a prediction of marketability, not a definitive verdict on which athlete is the most famous or successful.

Where are Kohli, Rohit and Dhoni?

One of the biggest talking points is the absence of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni from the top 50. All three remain among cricket’s most widely recognised names, but their positions have shifted outside the leading group. Kohli is ranked 85th, Dhoni 83rd and Rohit 90th.

The change is striking given their previous presence near the top of the ranking. Kohli was the only Indian on the list in 2014, when he was placed behind Lewis Hamilton; in 2016, he rose to third. Kohli and Rohit also featured in the top 50 last year. Their latest positions underline the difference between enduring popularity and a ranking focused on current momentum and future commercial growth.

Being outside the top 50 does not mean these players have lost their appeal. Kohli, Rohit and Dhoni continue to command enormous fan loyalty and remain influential figures in Indian cricket. The SportsPro ranking measures marketability through its own criteria, and it should not be treated as a complete measure of an athlete’s cultural impact or standing with supporters.

Gill turns attention to New Zealand series

Gill’s commercial recognition arrives as he prepares for an important international assignment. He has travelled to New Zealand for a five-match ODI series followed by two Test matches. The Tests will be particularly significant for India’s ambitions in the World Test Championship, where every series can affect the team’s position and route towards the final.

India will also be looking to address concerns in its ODI bowling. The death-overs phase has been a particular area of difficulty, with the attack needing greater control and consistency when opposing batters accelerate late in an innings. A demanding tour will test the depth and experience of the bowling group, as well as Gill’s leadership in managing match situations.

For Gill, the New Zealand tour offers a chance to strengthen his reputation on the field while carrying the attention that comes with his No. 13 marketability ranking. His performance as captain, the team’s results and the way he connects with supporters will all shape the next chapter of his growing profile.

Latest News