Ravichandran Ashwin's 'brand value' could touch Rs 200 crore by 2018

Indian spin ace Ravichandran Ashwin has been on a record-breaking spree off late and has been the leading wicket-taker in the longest format of the game in 2016. Besides that he has also bagged the ICC Cricketer of the Year and ICC Test Cricketer of the year awards in the bygone year. As he is on the road to becoming one of the most popular cricketers in the Indian team, he has also reaped a very concrete benefit as well. Very recently the Tamil Nadu lad has signed a brand endorsement deal with ITW Blitz.

ITW Blitz is the talent management arm of sports, media and entertainment company ITW. This is not the first time a cricketer has signed a deal with ITW Blitz as it has also managed legendary cricket like Sir Vivian Richards in the past. Ashwin though is the first Indian to be signed by the brand. The co-founder and director of ITW Blitz, Bhairav Shanth spoke about their latest ‘coup’ at a swish press meet. “Ashwin is currently the best all-rounder in the ICC list. He has a clean, non-controversial image and has an elegant mix of class and mass appeal that will work for all brands.”

Shanth like others believes Ashwin has ‘huge potential’ and in terms of numbers, the CEO predicts that the cricketer’s earnings might go beyond Rs. 200 crores in the coming two years. Shanth also stated that he feels Ashwin would be the highest endorsed cricketer in India by the end of 2017. ITW Blitz is looking to add 15 additional brands to Ashwin’s name during that time span.

A top ad manager who is based out of South India and deals with star endorsements said the two cricketers in the big league are MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. “The top two cricketers in the big league are former Indian captain MS Dhoni and current captain Virat Kohli. It is clear that Kohli has overtaken Dhoni, as he has more recall value and success on the field than others. Now what I hear from sources is that Ashwin is trying to move into the space vacated by Dhoni — and for that, he has to be more aggressive. 2017 is going to be an important year for sports personalities in terms of endorsements, as brand Dhoni fades away,” he was quoted as saying by the FirstPost.

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Bhairav Shanth who was present during the event where his association with ITW was announced was asked what would entice top brands tp sign Ashwin. The cricketer instead took over the microphone and replied in his own frank manner. “We are not here to discuss why brands want to sign us, we are here for responsible endorsing and we will decide whom we want to endorse,” he said.