Shubman Gill has achieved a major milestone off the cricket field, finishing ahead of football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in the SportsPro 50 Most Marketable Athletes 2026 rankings. India’s ODI and Test captain has secured 13th position, while the Portuguese football legend occupies 14th place, making it one of the most talked-about developments in this year’s rankings.

The latest list, powered by NorthStar, features some of the biggest names in international sport. Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka has claimed the No. 1 position, while American-born Chinese freestyle skier Eileen Gu is second. Greek basketball superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and Spanish tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz complete the top five.

However, the biggest talking point for Indian sports fans is Gill’s impressive position ahead of Ronaldo. The ranking also brings disappointing news for some of India’s most celebrated cricket stars, with Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni all missing from the top 50.

Shubman Gill vs Cristiano Ronaldo marketability: How did India captain finish ahead?

Gill’s 13th-place finish is particularly significant considering the global popularity of Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese superstar remains one of the most recognisable athletes in the world and has an enormous following across social media platforms.

Despite that influence, Ronaldo could only manage 14th position, one place behind the Indian batter.

The difference highlights an important aspect of the SportsPro rankings. The assessment does not simply measure an athlete’s social media following or worldwide popularity. Instead, it considers several factors, including brand strength, recent momentum and future commercial opportunities.

Gill’s growing profile in international cricket, leadership responsibilities and commercial potential have helped him establish a strong position in the rankings.

At just 26, the Indian captain represents a younger generation of cricket stars with considerable room for commercial growth. His position also strengthens his reputation as one of the leading faces of Indian cricket in the coming years.

However, finishing ahead of Ronaldo does not necessarily mean Gill has a bigger global fan following. It reflects how the two athletes performed under SportsPro’s particular marketability assessment.

Aryna Sabalenka becomes the most marketable athlete in 2026

While Gill’s position has attracted considerable attention in India, Aryna Sabalenka has created history by becoming the world’s most marketable athlete in 2026.

The Belarusian tennis star occupies the top position, becoming the fourth woman and third tennis player to achieve the distinction since SportsPro introduced its rankings in 2010.

Eileen Gu follows her in second place, while Giannis Antetokounmpo takes third. Erling Haaland is fourth and Carlos Alcaraz completes the top five.

Interestingly, women account for 16 positions in this year’s top 50, compared with 20 in the previous edition. Despite the reduction in representation, female athletes occupy both leading positions.

The result underlines the growing commercial influence of women’s sport, particularly in tennis and freestyle skiing.

Virat Kohli missing from SportsPro top 50 list; Dhoni and Rohit also miss out

One of the biggest surprises in the Most Marketable Athletes list 2026 is the absence of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni from the top 50.

Kohli has previously enjoyed impressive positions in SportsPro’s rankings, including second place in 2014 and third in 2016. However, his position has dropped considerably in the latest assessment.

According to the reported rankings, Dhoni is placed 83rd, followed by Kohli at 85th and Rohit at 90th.

The development is particularly interesting because all three remain among the most recognisable names in Indian cricket.

Their absence from the top 50 should not be interpreted as a decline in their popularity. SportsPro’s assessment considers multiple commercial indicators rather than relying solely on an athlete’s established reputation or social media reach.

Rishabh Pant and Jemimah Rodrigues feature in the top 50

Apart from Gill, four other Indian cricketers have secured places in the 2026 top 50.

Rishabh Pant occupies 36th position, while India’s Women’s World Cup-winning star Jemimah Rodrigues is ranked 31st. Smriti Mandhana follows at 37th, with fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah taking 39th place.

This gives Indian cricket five representatives in the top 50, reflecting the sport’s growing commercial presence.

Jemimah’s inclusion is particularly noteworthy following India’s success in the Women’s ODI World Cup. Her performances and growing public profile have added to her visibility beyond the cricket field.

Pant and Bumrah also bring different commercial strengths, with Pant’s attacking personality and Bumrah’s reputation as one of the leading fast bowlers in international cricket.

SportsPro NorthStar marketability score criteria: How are athletes ranked?

SportsPro uses a 100-point NorthStar Marketability Score to determine the rankings. The assessment is based on three major categories, each carrying a different weight.

• Brand Equity (45 points): Measures the reputation, recognition and overall strength of an athlete’s personal brand.
• Momentum (40 points): Evaluates the current growth and direction of an athlete’s popularity and commercial influence.
• Commercial Trajectory (15 points): Assesses the athlete’s potential to attract future sponsorships and business opportunities.

The 2026 assessment considered 1,202 athletes across 70 sports. Of these, 247 underwent a detailed evaluation before the final rankings were decided.

The research also involved 27 marketability drivers, several hundred data points per athlete and more than 3,000 brand partnership records. The evidence covered the period from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.

This explains why established global superstars and emerging athletes can receive very different positions despite having enormous popularity.

Gill’s achievement is therefore more than just a ranking ahead of Ronaldo. It signals the growing commercial potential of India’s next generation of cricket stars.

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