Indian cricketers are among the many highest-paid athletes on this planet, because of their profitable contracts with the Board of Management for Cricket in India (BCCI) and substantial endorsement offers with international manufacturers. The Indian Premier League (IPL), probably the most prestigious and worthwhile T20 league, performs a big position in boosting their earnings, with prime gamers incomes multi-crore sums. The convergence of nationwide crew contracts and franchise offers has propelled Indian cricketers to monetary stardom, making them a number of the richest sports activities personalities globally. This monetary clout is exemplified by record-breaking contracts and sponsorships that contribute to their rising wealth yr after yr.
Units new file as highest-paid Indian cricketer
In a landmark second for Indian cricket, Rishabh Pant has emerged because the highest-paid Indian cricketer following the IPL 2025 public sale. Pant’s acquisition by Lucknow Tremendous Giants (LSG) for an eye-watering INR 27 crore has rewritten the file books, establishing him as the most costly participant in IPL historical past. This record-breaking deal has catapulted his complete annual earnings from cricket to a outstanding INR 30 crore, combining his hefty IPL wage along with his Grade B BCCI central contract, which stands at INR 3 crore.
Pant’s journey to the highest of the monetary hierarchy is especially important given his latest challenges. He was demoted to Grade B after his extended absence on account of a automobile accident in December 2022, which stored him out of motion for a number of months. This contract change underscores the impression of his comeback and the pivotal position he performs within the Indian squad throughout codecs, suggesting {that a} return to Grade A and even an improve to A+ is perhaps on the horizon when the BCCI declares its new contracts subsequent March.
Additionally READ: From Rishabh Pant to Jofra Archer: High 10 most costly buys at IPL 2025 Mega Public sale
The IPL 2025 Public sale: Historic bid
The IPL 2025 public sale, held in Jeddah, noticed Pant’s record-setting bid for INR 27 crore, breaking the earlier benchmark of INR 24.75 crore set by Mitchell Starc within the IPL 2024 public sale. This substantial leap in worth not solely makes Pant the most costly participant within the historical past of the league but in addition showcases his rising stature as one of the marketable and worthwhile gamers within the cricketing world. Launched by Delhi Capitals forward of the 2025 season, Pant’s stellar efficiency and potential future contributions performed an important position in LSG’s aggressive bidding technique.
Pant’s newfound standing because the highest-paid Indian cricketer means he has overtaken Virat Kohli’s annual earnings of INR 28 crore, that are derived from his Grade A+ central contract price INR 7 crore and his IPL wage from Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). This shift not solely highlights Pant’s monetary ascent but in addition reinforces the IPL’s position as a transformative drive in cricketers’ earnings.
Surprising rise regardless of no BCCI’s contract
Shreyas Iyer’s earnings from IPL 2025 have additionally been noteworthy. Regardless of not holding a BCCI central contract, Iyer secured the third spot amongst Indian cricketers with a staggering IPL wage of INR 26.75 crore after being purchased by Punjab Kings (PBKS). This outstanding determine underscores his market worth and the belief franchises place in his management and batting prowess. Iyer’s earnings even surpassed these of Rohit Sharma, who, because the India Check captain, has lengthy been a monetary powerhouse. Rohit ranks fifth with mixed earnings of INR 25.3 crore, because of his Grade A+ central contract (price INR 7 crore) and his IPL wage of INR 16.3 crore.
High 5 earners: The breakdown of India cricketers with earnings from IPL and BCCI
The IPL 2025 season has considerably reshaped the panorama of Indian cricket salaries, with the highest earners showcasing a mix of IPL contracts and BCCI central retainers:
- Rishabh Pant: INR 30 crore (IPL wage of INR 27 crore + Grade B BCCI wage of INR 3 crore)
- Virat Kohli: INR 28 crore (RCB wage of INR 21 crore + Grade A+ BCCI wage of INR 7 crore)
- Shreyas Iyer: INR 26.75 crore (IPL wage solely)
- Jasprit Bumrah & Ravindra Jadeja: INR 25 crore every (IPL wage of INR 18 crore + Grade A+ BCCI wage of INR 7 crore)
- Hardik Pandya: INR 22.35 crore (IPL wage of INR 16.35 crore + Grade A BCCI wage of INR 6 crore)
- Rohit Sharma: INR 25.3 crore (IPL wage of INR 16.3 crore + Grade A+ BCCI wage of INR 7 crore)
This newly established hierarchy demonstrates the growing energy of the IPL in defining cricketers’ earnings. Whereas Kohli stays an influential determine, the highlight now shifts to youthful stars like Pant, who’re capitalizing on their match-winning potential and rising market worth. The IPL’s affect on participant salaries is ready to proceed redefining the boundaries of cricketing incomes, cementing its standing as a worldwide monetary powerhouse in sports activities.
