World’s Richest Cricketer Retired at 22, Earned ₹70,000 Crore Without IPL

World’s Richest Cricketer Retired at 22: The likes of Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli have grown as big brand names, transcending their sport of cricket. These have been through a mixture of factors, among which is the fact that all these persons are respected by most as some of the finest cricketers of their day. They are not, however, the richest cricketers in the world, or even in the country.

That mantle belongs to Aryaman Birla, son of billionaire Kumar Mangalam Birla . In the year 2023, Aryaman joined the Aditya Birla Group, where he became inducted as director at Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited (ABFRL). Besides that, he is also a director on the Boards of both Aditya Birla Management Corporation and Grasim Industries, and is considered by many as the future of this conglomerate. Before stepping into the business, Aryaman also played cricket and boasts a first class century to his name.

Also Read: Jennifer Lopez Opens Up About Latina Stereotypes and Battling Imposter Syndrome in Hollywood

Born in July 1997, Aryaman lives in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, where the headquarters of the cement unit of the Aditya Birla Group is located. However, he had completed the movements to take part in the junior circuit of the state and gradually make it through the ranks. He played his first senior-level match in the Ranji Trophy for MP against Odisha in November 2017. In his very first innings he shared a 72-run opening partnership with Rajat Patidar, who scored 123; however, Aryaman could only manage 16 from 67 balls and six from 27 in that match.

At Eden Gardens against Bengal almost precisely a year later, he left a mark. Manoj Tiwary's unbeaten double century helped Bengal declare at 510/9. Hosts enforced a follow on after MP was all out for 335 and Birla grinded out an unbeaten 103 off 189 balls to force a draw.

Both aspects of his innings had enough impact to earn Birla an IPL contract with the Rajasthan Royals during 2018 auction. "Performances are the best way of earning trust and respect, so when I started scoring runs, people started seeing me in a different light," he had told ESPNcricinfo. "When I first came to MP, I was known more by my last name. I kept hearing 'Birla's son, Birla's grandson.' But through my performances, I changed perceptions, they started seeing me differently.

Also Read: Rekha Praises Kapil Sharma’s Amitabh Bachchan Mimicry, Says ‘Ek Ek Dialogue Yaad Hai

"That's been my biggest achievement so far. Recently someone came and asked me 'you're so seedha saadha (simple and straightforward), we didn't even know you're from the Birla family.' That to me was a sign of change."

"I've felt trapped. I've pushed myself through all the distress so far, but now I feel the need to put my mental health and wellbeing above all else," he wrote on Instagram. "We all have our own journeys and I want to take this time to understand myself better, open my mind to new and varied perspectives and seek purpose in my findings."

Following that Birla entered his family's business and has been earning ever since. Although his net worth isn't made public, it is assumed to be around INR 70,000 crores.

Also Read: Farmers’ Protest March from Noida to Delhi: Traffic Advisory and Routes to Avoid