It is indeed surprising to discover that the richest cricketer in India is not a familiar name like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, or Sachin Tendulkar, but a former first-class cricketer from Baroda, Samarjitsingh Ranjitsinh Gaekwad. Gaekwad’s wealth surpasses his more renowned counterparts, with a reported net worth of over Rs 20,000 crore.
Samarjitsingh Gaekwad hailed from the royal Gaekwad family and had a brief cricketing career spanning two seasons from 1987-88 to 1988-89, during which he played six first-class matches. After retiring from the sport, he remained associated with cricket as the president of the Baroda Cricket Association.
However, Gaekwad’s enormous net worth does not stem from his cricketing career or administrative role. Instead, it is primarily a result of his princely heritage. His wealth surged after the resolution of a 23-year-long inheritance dispute in 2013.
The inheritance, estimated to be worth around £3 billion, included the expansive Laxmi Vilas Palace estate, which is reputed to be four times larger than Buckingham Palace and even boasts its golf course. As an avid golfer himself, Gaekwad now enjoys the privilege of owning this opulent asset.
The inheritance dispute originated after the passing of Maharaja Fetehsinghrao Gaekwad in 1988, leading to a bitter succession battle between Samarjitsingh’s father, Ranjitsinh, and his brother, Sangramsinh. Samarjitsingh took the initiative to negotiate a settlement, ending the protracted family conflict.
Under the final agreement, Samarjitsingh emerged with the majority share of the estate, cementing his position as India’s wealthiest cricketer. He acquired the grand Laxmi Vilas Palace, an extensive jewellery collection, and a trove of valuable paintings by renowned 19th-century Indian painter Raja Ravi Verma.
