India’s star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has emerged as the highest-paid Indian cricketer, overtaking former captain Virat Kohli. This development comes after Pant was signed by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for a record-breaking ₹27 crore at the IPL 2025 auction held in Jeddah. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer also made headlines by earning more than Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, despite not holding a BCCI central contract.
Pant’s Record-Breaking Deal
Pant, who was part of the marquee players’ set at the auction, became the most expensive player in IPL history, surpassing Mitchell Starc’s ₹24.75 crore record set in 2024 by Kolkata Knight Riders. With his Grade B BCCI retainership worth ₹3 crore annually, Pant’s total annual earnings now stand at ₹30 crore.
Previously part of the Grade A category, Pant was demoted due to his unavailability following a car accident in December 2022. He is, however, expected to regain his Grade A status or even secure a Grade A+ promotion in the next contract cycle, given his importance in India’s cricket setup across formats.
Kohli Slips to Second
Virat Kohli, who is part of the Grade A+ category in the BCCI contract list (₹7 crore), remains one of the most valuable players in cricket. Combined with his ₹21 crore IPL contract with Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kohli’s annual earnings total ₹28 crore, placing him second among India’s highest-paid cricketers.
Shreyas Iyer Surpasses Rohit Sharma
Shreyas Iyer, despite not having a BCCI central contract, has climbed above Indian captain Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah in the earnings list. Iyer, who was recently signed by Punjab Kings for ₹26.75 crore, is now the second-most expensive player in IPL history.
Iyer and Ishan Kishan were dropped from the BCCI contract list for the 2023-24 season after failing to participate in domestic cricket as mandated by the board. However, Iyer’s lucrative IPL deal places him ahead of Bumrah and Rohit in the income rankings.
Bumrah, Rohit, and Other Top Earners
Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja, both in the Grade A+ BCCI category, earn ₹25 crore annually. This includes their ₹18 crore IPL contracts with their respective franchises. Hardik Pandya, retained by Mumbai Indians for ₹16.35 crore and part of Grade A, follows next.
Rohit Sharma, who also belongs to Grade A+ in the BCCI contract list and was retained for ₹16.30 crore by Mumbai Indians, ranks below Pandya.
The Changing Dynamics of Player Earnings
The IPL auction has once again highlighted how franchise cricket can significantly influence player earnings, often reshaping income hierarchies. As the sport evolves, performances in high-profile tournaments like the IPL increasingly dictate the financial standings of cricketers.
With the upcoming BCCI contract announcements in March, the earnings landscape for Indian cricketers could see further adjustments.
