In the world of cricket, bat sticker sponsorships have become a significant source of income for top players, reflecting their market value and popularity. Among the stars, Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill stand out not only for their exceptional skills but also for their lucrative endorsement deals.
Kohli, a seasoned cricket icon, commands one of the highest bat sponsorship earnings in the country, while Gill, a rising talent, is quickly making his mark with impressive deals.
Virat Kohli’s Bat Sticker Sponsorship Earnings
Virat Kohli, one of the most iconic cricketers of his generation, has long been associated with MRF Tyres for his bat sponsorship. His deal is widely considered the benchmark for cricket bat endorsements in India.
- Brand: MRF Tyres
- Annual Earnings: Approximately INR 12.5 crore per year
- Total Contract Value: INR 100 crore over 8 years
- Contract Duration: 2017–2025 (as per latest available data)
- Background: Kohli has used MRF bats since 2014, following earlier associations with BDM and Nike.
Kohli’s bat sponsorship deal is not only the most lucrative among Indian cricketers but also one of the highest globally. The MRF logo on his bat has become synonymous with his brand, and the deal’s value reflects his dominance both on and off the field.
Shubman Gill’s Bat Sticker Sponsorship Earnings
Shubman Gill, the rising star and current Test captain, has recently joined the elite club of MRF-sponsored players, following in the footsteps of legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli.
- Brand: MRF Tyres (since 2025), previously CEAT
- Annual Earnings: Estimated INR 8–10 crore per year
- Contract Duration: Began in 2025, with details on length undisclosed
- Background: Gill was associated with CEAT since his Under-19 days, with that deal speculated to be in the INR 2–5 crore range annually before switching to MRF.
Gill’s move to MRF marks a significant step up in his endorsement value, aligning him with the biggest names in the sport. The switch also signals his growing stature and market appeal among brands.
Bat Sticker Sponsorship Earnings Comparison Table
| Player | Bat Sponsor | Annual Earnings (INR) | Total Contract Value (INR) | Contract Duration | Previous Sponsor |
| Virat Kohli | MRF Tyres | 12.5 crore | 100 crore | 8 years | Nike, BDM |
| Shubman Gill | MRF Tyres | 8–10 crore | Not disclosed | Not disclosed | CEAT |
Who Earns More from Bat Sticker Sponsorships?
- Virat Kohli is the clear leader in bat sticker sponsorship earnings, with an annual payout of INR 12.5 crore from MRF, totaling INR 100 crore over the contract period.
- Shubman Gill’s latest MRF deal is estimated to fetch him INR 8–10 crore per year, which is a significant jump from his previous CEAT contract but still falls short of Kohli’s earnings.
- Market Value Reflection: Kohli’s higher earnings are a direct result of his longer career, massive fan following, and established brand value. While Gill is fast catching up and has already joined the top tier of endorsement earners, he has yet to reach Kohli’s level in terms of bat sponsorship income.
Everything You Need to Know: Summary
- The bat sticker is another source of money as Virat Kohli gets higher earnings than Shubman Gill, and his annual earnings are INR 12.5 crore through MRF in comparison to the INR 8-10 crore (per year) for Gill.
- They both play in the exclusive club of the MRF club, comprising legends in their own right such as Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara; hence, their bat deals are at the top in the prime sport of cricket.
- Kohli’s deal remains the gold standard for cricket bat endorsements in India, and the same can be said of the young Gill in terms of his rise in the field, which has made him commercially viable as well.
- Bat sponsorship deals form a significant part of the endorsement deal of a cricketer and can be equal to or even bigger than the money earned by way of match fees and central contracts, particularly in the case of high-ranking players.
- The future: As the brand value of Gill is going up, the difference between Gill and Kohli may decrease in future years, but by June 2025, Kohli is still the leading money earner in Indian cricket based on bat stickers sponsorship.
Conclusion
As it is in the Indian cricket bat sticker sponsorship game, Virat Kohli has a lead over Shubman Gill as far as the annual income and the total amount of the contract are concerned. Whereas Gill has surfaced with a new deal with MRF, indicating the increase in his market power, Kohli has been known as the partner of MRF for long and is incomparable in terms of brand value, which makes him the no. 1 in the endorsement business
