Top Taxpayers in Indian Cricket: Virat Kohli Leads the Pack
Friday, September 6, 2024
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Virat Kohli, the former captain of the Indian cricket team, has once again proven his dominance both on and off the field by securing the top spot as India's highest tax-paying sportsperson for fiscal year 2024.
With a remarkable contribution of Rs 66 crore in taxes, Kohli not only leads the sports category but also ranks fifth among all celebrities in terms of tax payments. MS Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar, two cricketing legends who have made significant contributions to Indian cricket, follow closely behind Kohli on the overall list of top taxpayers. Dhoni paid a substantial Rs 38 crore, while Tendulkar contributed Rs 28 crore. Other notable mentions include Sourav Ganguly with Rs 23 crore and Hardik Pandya with Rs 13 crore.
Interestingly, Rohit Sharma, the current Indian captain, did not feature in the top ranks of tax-paying sportspersons, which is surprising given his significant role in Indian cricket. However, Ganguly and Pandya represented the top five tax-payers among athletes.
Kohli's net worth currently exceeds ₹1000 crore ($127 million), primarily due to his successful cricket career and lucrative endorsements with brands like Puma, Audi, and MRF. He will soon showcase his skills in a two-match home Test series against Bangladesh starting on September 19.
Is Kohli truly the highest tax-paying sportsperson? Or are there other factors at play here, such as tax loopholes or creative accounting strategies employed by celebrities to minimize their tax liabilities? It's worth questioning whether this list accurately reflects reality.
Moreover, while it's commendable that these cricketers contribute significantly to the nation's economy through their taxes, one cannot help but wonder about the broader implications of such wealth distribution. Are there ways in which these funds could be better utilized for the greater good of society? Perhaps by investing in grassroots cricket development or supporting underprivileged youth who dream of making it big
