World’s Top Earning Cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni...2009

New York, Sep 6 (PTI) Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has topped the list of world''s 10 top earning cricketers compiled by Forbes, which also features four other players from the sub-continent Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly. Raking in USD 10 million, Dhoni is at the top of the chart followed by Tendulkar at the second spot with earnings worth USD 8 million in the list of ''The World''s Top-Earning Cricketers''.

While Singh and Dravid are at the third and fourth spot, respectively, Ganguly and Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting share the sixth place. "Paycheck figures include club and national team salaries and commercial endorsement income over the last 12 months," Forbes said.

According to the magazine, Singh earned USD 5.5 million while Dravid and Ganguly raked in USD 5 million and USD 3.5 million, respectively. Ponting also earned USD 3.5 million.

"With its deep-pocketed owners and global appeal, nine of the 10 highest-paid cricket players call the Indian Premier League (IPL) home, the publication added. At the fifth spot is England''s Andrew Flintoff with earnings of USD 4 million followed by Australia''s Brett Lee and English cricketer Kevin Pietersen both at eighth place and Australian Michael Clarke is ranked tenth.

While Lee and Pietersen raked in USD 3 million each, Clarke earned USD 2.5 million. .

Personal information

Full name : Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Born : 7 July 1981 (age 28)

Ranchi, Jharkhand (formerly a part of Bihar), India

Nickname : Mahi

Batting style : Right-hand batsman Bowling style Right-hand medium

Role : Wicket-keeper, Captain

International information

National side : India

Test debut : 2 December 2005 v Sri Lanka

Last Test : 3 April 2009 v New Zealand

ODI debut : 23 December 2004 v Bangladesh

Last ODI5 : July 2009 v West Indies

ODI shirt no : 7

Domestic team information

Years : Team

1999/00 : Bihar

2004/05

2004/05 : Jharkhand

2008 : Chennai Super Kings