He has delivered under pressure for Team India — whether it’s filling in the No 4 batting slot once held by Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli or leading a national side in transition. His history-shattering knock at Edgbaston during the second Test against England will likely give Shubman Gill a 30-40% jump in endorsement fees over the next 12-18 months, say experts.
“He’s sexy. He’s stylish. Increasingly, he’s seen to be fun. Add to that his recent exploits — which will enhance his scores on the ‘trust’ and ‘dependability’ counts — and you’ve got a potent combination. One that brands love,” says Sandeep Goyal, managing director, Rediffusion.
Gill currently takes home Rs 5-7 crore per endorsement. He represents brands such as My11Circle, Gillette, TATA Capital, BharatPe, and MRF (also CEAT Tyres earlier). “Shubman hits that sweet spot — young, relatable, aspirational,” says Ramya Ramachandran, founder & CEO of influencer marketing firm Whoppl. “He’s serious about cricket but doesn’t come off as stiff. It’s just a very likable energy.”
What makes Gill’s England exploits so compelling is because there were many doubts about his captaincy capabilities. Now that anxiety has been put to rest, ‘his brand is set to explode on social media’, says Ajimon Francis, managing director, Brand Finance India.
Unlike the aggressive posturing of some peers, Shubman’s calm demeanour paired with a stylish off-field persona allows brands to position him as aspirational yet approachable. Ramachandran expects the 25-year-old to be tapped for big sportswear tie-ups, premium sneakers, fintech and investment apps looking to appear ‘young and smart’, and even luxury brands that favour a clean, stylish imagery.
“He’s clean, modern, and grounded, which is perfect for fashion, fintech, and consumer tech categories,” adds Yasin Hamidani, director, Media Care Brand Solutions.
But experts say new deals will not happen in a jiffy. Cricketing celebrities already dominate the endorsement field. Athlete endorsements in India crossed the Rs 1,000 crore mark to reach Rs 1,224 crore in 2024, led by cricket. Plus endorsements for emerging sports have got a boost from the Olympic Games Paris 2024, points a report by GroupM India.
Analysts say unlike the Kapil Dev and Ravi Shastri days, when being a brand ambassador was a mark of success, today’s athletes are becoming investors and wealth creators. Roger Federer, David Beckham, and Virat Kohli – they’ve all built their own lines or taken equity in emerging brands even while they were active on the field. They won’t be surprised if Gill follows that trajectory.