After Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill may be the next poster boy for brands

Shubman Gill isn’t just India’s cricketing star of the moment, he’s quickly becoming advertisers’ go-to face.

Fresh off a stellar run as captain and batsman in the India-England Test series, Gill’s promotion as Asia Cup vice-captain has supercharged his brand value, putting him firmly on the radar of global and domestic companies, The Times of India's (TOI) Asmita Dey has reported.

Neeraj Jha, senior sports analyst and commentator, told TOI, “Gill's brand value has appreciated by 30%-40% post the India-England series. His brand fees will increase anywhere in the range of 25%-50% depending on the kind of brand approaching him.”

That jump is already visible. Where Gill earlier saw three to four brand queries a month, sources, according to TOI, say the number has shot up to 10-15. From automobiles to luxury brands, everyone wants a piece of India’s Gen Z cricket icon.

Gill currently commands ₹4-5 crore per brand deal per year, but the needle is moving fast. Neerav Tomar, MD and CEO at IOS Sports, told TOI, “That can now easily go up to anywhere between ₹6-8 crore… Gill already endorses close to 20 brands, and this number should go up. Youthful brands will seek new faces. Gill is the new Virat Kohli.”

Some of his earlier contracts were in the ₹2-3.5 crore bracket, showing how sharply his stock has risen. By 2025, Gill’s endorsement portfolio nearly doubled, from about eight in 2023 to 16, including marquee deals with MRF, Oakley (India), Casio, and Coca-Cola. In 2024 alone, he is estimated to have made around ₹40 crore from endorsements.

Even as his brand value rises, Gill stays selective, a stance he underlined in a 2024 interview with The Economic Times. “I am conscious of my responsibility as a role model, especially to my young fans. I believe in using my image and influence responsibly, which means aligning with brands that promote positive, ethical and health-conscious values,” he had said.

Analysts say his exclusivity is part of the appeal. “A lot of MNCs are looking to sign Gill. Small brands can't afford him. His fees will only go up if he keeps on delivering,” Amitesh Shah, founder and CEO of Legaxy, told TOI, estimating Gill’s brand value will jump another 40%.

But what will truly secure his advertising crown? Sandeep Goyal, chairman at Rediffusion, as quoted by TOI, summed it up: “Perenniality leads to continued visibility, which is key to the endorsement game.”

Moreover, unlike most cricketers who work with big talent management firms, Gill had told ET that he manages endorsements with a small team that checks every brand for credibility and creativity. “The partnership needs to feel authentic to me and relatable to my fans,” he said at the time.

This approach has helped him bag marquee deals, from Nike’s multi-million-dollar contract and Apple-owned Beats Electronics to Coca-Cola, Tata Capital, ITC Fiama, Bajaj Allianz, Ceat, Engage, G-Shock and MY11 Circle.

(With inputs from TOI)