Hyderabad: Gone are those days. What days, which days? Those days, you know. Ok, wait. Those days, when interests, capabilities and market value together would circumscribe an individual to one career.
And yes, reiterating my point: gone are those days. Why, you ask? Because, earlier, politicians used to be politicians, sports personalities would perform on the track and field, writers would write and business magnates, well, would mind their own business.
Today, it’s all a hotch-potch. Everyone is a jack of all trades, more importantly, master of none. Cricketers act, actors buy teams, politicians dig their noses into everything that falls outside their ambit and let’s say businessmen have their fingers in every pie.
Therefore, it comes as no surprise when these immensely rich people, try their hands at some variety, rolling their monies from this to that, and back to this.
So, why exactly are we writing this? Heh. Let’s come to the point straightaway. Virat Kohli is a rich kid. Not just does he don the national colours, he also plays for the IPL, belonging to the richer strata.
To add to that, there are several, and I mean several brands that he endorses. So, the moolah has been piling up thick and fast, and therefore, Kohli decided to follow the footsteps of some of his teammates and try a hand at entrepreneurship.
Kohli has reportedly pumped in 90 crores to his start his chain of gyms and wellness centres. This chain, which will have about 75 centres all over the country, will be called Chisel Fitness and will be co-owner by Kohli, Chisel Fitness and CSE, the sister concern of Cornerstone Sport & Entertainment.
He had earlier also invested in FC Goa in the Indian Super League.
This isn’t the first time when a cricketer has veered into business. From Sachin Tendulkar to Sourav Ganguly, from Zaheer Khan to Virender Sehwag and from Dhoni to Yuvraj, they’ve all been there and done that.
Perhaps, other than sports, these cricketers have varied interests, some milestones in other fields, which they’re able to fulfil thanks from the enormous funds that they’ve managed to stock thus far. Say hi the new Uncles Scrooge of Indian cricket!