India’s cricket is at a crossroads. The biggest players of the last ten years, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja, are no longer playing the formats that made them famous. People of all ages are beginning to think differently. Shubman Gill is now the ODI skipper for Rohit Sharma, who is playing less internationally. This makes me wonder what will happen to the “Hitman” nickname when the runs stop coming.
Rohit’s career achievements speak for themselves: as captain, he led his team to five IPL titles and received many ICC honors. He batted in a way that was both beautiful and terrifying. But the things that show how well you’re doing in marketing change all the time. Brand owners and CMOs will have to wait and watch how long Rohit’s commercial equity lasts over the next few years.
1. The Visibility Question: A Stage That Is Getting Smaller
In Indian cricket, it’s very important to be seen. Athletes who wear blue jerseys the most in big events get the most endorsements. Experts in the profession think that Rohit’s media presence could reduce by 40 to 50 percent from its peak as captain, since he would only play in ODIs and the IPL.
This is vital because companies that work in fast-paced fields like fashion, drinks, and consumer tech need to be seen a lot. People under 30 in India really admire younger performers like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rishabh Pant and now Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma. These new generation cricketers will draw more attention.
But Rohit’s pull is still there. People who value trust over trends, like those in the insurance, financial services, and high-end lifestyle goods industries, still like him because he is quiet and reliable. In some cases, being reliable and leading quietly may be more important than being seen.
2. How Endorsements Have Changed: From Performance to Credibility
Endorsements have life cycles that are like those of athletes. At first, athletes are symbols of life, but by the end, they are symbols of what they have learned. Rohit is in his late 30s now and is moving from a brand that is known for its performance to one that is known for its reliability.
An excellent example is the rise of Rahul Dravid. He went from being a test class player to become the face of stability for finance, banks and insurance companies. People still think of Sachin Tendulkar as humble and living a long time more than as a great batter. Recently he has been appearing in pre used car brand Spinny where the element of trust drives that brands and who else better than Sachin could fit the bill.
That group is perfect for Rohit. People may easily relate to him because he leads and acts in a calm way. This can help campaigns that are founded on trust, care and reliability. Expect a small shift in position: less “power-hitting Hitman” and more “reliable decision-maker.”
3. The Legacy Advantage: What Happens After the Pitch
Based on what I’ve seen in the past, great cricketers don’t leave; they only change lanes. By being honest and making people feel nostalgic, Tendulkar, Dravid, and Dhoni have all made their legacies marketable for a long time.
Rohit has a lot of emotional capital because he has a lot of fans, won the World Cup, and was the best player in the IPL. If he uses it correctly, he may become a “cricket statesman.” This means he might be a mentor, a critic, or someone who knows a lot about business.
His honesty is the most critical factor when he works with schools, leadership programs, CSR projects, and cricket academies. Right now, people value honesty more than flashiness, therefore Rohit’s down-to-earth charm might be his best quality.
4. Will brands pause and look?
Most marketers should employ the “pause and monitor” strategy for now. Three signals will probably help them decide:
IPL Performance: The greatest method to find out how well his brand is doing is to watch him play for the Mumbai Indians.
Digital Engagement: Talking to fans, using social media a lot, and sharing stories through content might make up for not being on the field as much.
If he starts doing commentary, mentoring, or running things, firms might perceive him in a new light in the cricket world.
Rohit’s brand story is now in a data-driven phase where engagement metrics are just as crucial as his strike rates used to be.
5. Emotional Equity: The X-Factor That India Will Always Remember
India’s connection to cricket is more about emotions than business. Legends last because they are more than just memories of important occurrences. Even though Tendulkar and Dhoni have been retired for years, people still trust them and feel nostalgic about them. That’s why they still lead national campaigns.
Rohit seems very much at ease with that area. “The Hitman” makes you feel both enraged and serene, which is not something that happens to athletes very frequently. That gap is still great for firms that have been established for a long time, family-friendly industries, and ads in some places. Rohit is still a sign of stability backed by trust which is good for business.
The Last Word
Rohit Sharma’s bat may stop swinging one day, but his brand will always be there, even if it changes. The next part of his story will be about being a leader, growing up, and being honest. He has a lot of experience; therefore, he can be a wonderful coach and thinker if he wants to be. For Indian cricket to develop better at the grassroot levels, we need more guys like him for India keep shining consistently.
In a place where people remember cricket greats more for their stories than their stats, Rohit’s legacy is still being formed. Brands that understand this will want to stay on his side.
(Views are personal)
