Indian cricketers are among the highest-paid athletes in the world, thanks to their lucrative contracts with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and substantial endorsement deals with global brands. The Indian Premier League (IPL), the most prestigious and profitable T20 league, plays a significant role in boosting their income, with top players earning multi-crore sums. The convergence of national team contracts and franchise deals has propelled Indian cricketers to financial stardom, making them some of the richest sports personalities globally. This financial clout is exemplified by record-breaking contracts and sponsorships that contribute to their growing wealth year after year.
Sets new record as highest-paid Indian cricketer
In a landmark moment for Indian cricket, Rishabh Pant has emerged as the highest-paid Indian cricketer following the IPL 2025 auction. Pant’s acquisition by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for an eye-watering INR 27 crore has rewritten the record books, establishing him as the most expensive player in IPL history. This record-breaking deal has catapulted his total annual earnings from cricket to a remarkable INR 30 crore, combining his hefty IPL salary with his Grade B BCCI central contract, which stands at INR 3 crore.
Pant’s journey to the top of the financial hierarchy is particularly significant given his recent challenges. He was demoted to Grade B after his prolonged absence due to a car accident in December 2022, which kept him out of action for several months. This contract change underscores the impact of his comeback and the pivotal role he plays in the Indian squad across formats, suggesting that a return to Grade A or even an upgrade to A+ might be on the horizon when the BCCI announces its new contracts next March.
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The IPL 2025 Auction: Historic bid
The IPL 2025 auction, held in Jeddah, saw Pant’s record-setting bid for INR 27 crore, breaking the previous benchmark of INR 24.75 crore set by Mitchell Starc in the IPL 2024 auction. This substantial leap in value not only makes Pant the most expensive player in the history of the league but also showcases his growing stature as one of the most marketable and valuable players in the cricketing world. Released by Delhi Capitals ahead of the 2025 season, Pant’s stellar performance and potential future contributions played a crucial role in LSG’s aggressive bidding strategy.
Pant’s newfound status as the highest-paid Indian cricketer means he has overtaken Virat Kohli’s annual earnings of INR 28 crore, which are derived from his Grade A+ central contract worth INR 7 crore and his IPL salary from Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). This shift not only highlights Pant’s financial ascent but also reinforces the IPL’s role as a transformative force in cricketers’ earnings.
Unexpected rise despite no BCCI’s contract
Shreyas Iyer’s earnings from IPL 2025 have also been noteworthy. Despite not holding a BCCI central contract, Iyer secured the third spot among Indian cricketers with a staggering IPL salary of INR 26.75 crore after being bought by Punjab Kings (PBKS). This remarkable figure underscores his market value and the trust franchises place in his leadership and batting prowess. Iyer’s earnings even surpassed those of Rohit Sharma, who, as the India Test captain, has long been a financial powerhouse. Rohit ranks fifth with combined earnings of INR 25.3 crore, thanks to his Grade A+ central contract (worth INR 7 crore) and his IPL salary of INR 16.3 crore.
Top 5 earners: The breakdown of India cricketers with earnings from IPL and BCCI
The IPL 2025 season has significantly reshaped the landscape of Indian cricket salaries, with the top earners showcasing a blend of IPL contracts and BCCI central retainers:
- Rishabh Pant: INR 30 crore (IPL salary of INR 27 crore + Grade B BCCI salary of INR 3 crore)
- Virat Kohli: INR 28 crore (RCB salary of INR 21 crore + Grade A+ BCCI salary of INR 7 crore)
- Shreyas Iyer: INR 26.75 crore (IPL salary only)
- Jasprit Bumrah & Ravindra Jadeja: INR 25 crore each (IPL salary of INR 18 crore + Grade A+ BCCI salary of INR 7 crore)
- Hardik Pandya: INR 22.35 crore (IPL salary of INR 16.35 crore + Grade A BCCI salary of INR 6 crore)
- Rohit Sharma: INR 25.3 crore (IPL salary of INR 16.3 crore + Grade A+ BCCI salary of INR 7 crore)
This newly established hierarchy demonstrates the increasing power of the IPL in defining cricketers’ earnings. While Kohli remains an influential figure, the spotlight now shifts to younger stars like Pant, who are capitalizing on their match-winning potential and rising market value. The IPL’s influence on player salaries is set to continue redefining the boundaries of cricketing incomes, cementing its status as a global financial powerhouse in sports.