Indian cricketers are among the highest paid athletes in the world thanks to their lucrative contracts with Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and major endorsement deals with global brands. THE Indian Premier League (IPL)the most prestigious and lucrative T20 league, plays a major role in boosting their income, with top players earning multi-million sums. The convergence of national team contracts and franchise deals has propelled Indian cricketers to financial stardom, making them some of the richest sports figures in the world. This financial clout is evidenced by record-breaking contracts and sponsorships that contribute to their growing wealth year after year.
He set a new record as the highest paid Indian cricketer
In a watershed moment for Indian cricket, Rishabh Pants emerged as the highest paid Indian cricketer after the IPL 2025 auction. Pant’s acquisition from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for a whopping INR 27 crore has rewritten the record books, making him 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 huge 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 B grade following his prolonged absence due to a car accident in December 2022, which kept him out of action for several months. This contract change underlines the impact of his return and the pivotal role he plays in the Indian team across all formats, suggesting that a return to Grade A or even an upgrade to A+ could be on the horizon when the BCCI announces the news his contract next March.
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The IPL Auction 2025: Historic bidding
The IPL 2025 auction, held in Jeddah, saw Pant’s record bid of INR 27 crore, breaking the previous benchmark of INR 24.75 crore set by Mitchell Starc in the IPL 2024 auction. This significant jump in value no not only makes Pant the most expensive player in league history, but also shows his growing stature as one of the most marketable and valuable players in the world of cricket. Released by Delhi Capitals ahead of the 2025 season, Pant’s outstanding performance and potential future contributions played a key role in LSG’s aggressive bidding strategy.
Pant’s new status as the highest-paid Indian cricketer means he has surpassed Virat Kohlihis annual earnings of INR 28 crore, which comes from his Grade A+ central contract worth INR 7 crore and his IPL salary of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). This change not only highlights Pant’s financial rise, but also reinforces IPL’s role as a transformative force in cricketers’ earnings.
Windfall despite BCCI contract
Shreyas IyerHer earnings from IPL 2025 have also been remarkable. Despite not holding a central BCCI contract, Iyer secured the third position 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 franchise’s confidence in his leadership and ability. Iyer’s earnings surpassed even his own Rohit Sharmawho, as India’s Test captain, has long been a financial powerhouse. Rohit ranks fifth with a combined earnings of INR 25.3 crore, thanks to his Grade A+ central contract (worth INR 7 crore) and IPL salary of INR 16.3 crore.
Top 5 Earners: The Breakdown of Indian Cricketers with IPL and BCCI Earnings
The IPL 2025 season has significantly reshaped the salary landscape of Indian cricket, with the top earners featuring a mix of IPL contracts and BCCI central retainers:
- Rishabh Pants: INR 30 crore (IPL Salary INR 27 + BCCI Grade B Salary INR 3)
- Virat Kohli: INR 28 crore (RCB salary INR 21 crore + Grade A+ BCCI salary INR 7 crore)
- Shreyas Iyer: INR 26.75 crore (IPL salary only)
- Jasprit Bumrah & Ravindra Jadeja: INR 25 crore each (IPL Salary INR 18 + Grade A+ BCCI Salary INR 7 crore)
- Hardik Pandya: INR 22.35 crore (IPL salary INR 16.35 + BCCI Grade A salary INR 6)
- Rohit Sharma: INR 25.3 crore (IPL salary INR 16.3 + Grade A+ BCCI salary INR 7 crore)
This newly formed hierarchy demonstrates the growing power of the IPL in determining the earnings of cricketers. While Kohli remains an influential figure, the spotlight is now on younger stars like Pant, who are capitalizing on their match-winning potential and rising market value. The IPL’s influence on player wages is set to continue to redefine the boundaries of cricket’s earnings, cementing its status as a global financial powerhouse in sports.
