The conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction has reshaped the cricketing landscape in India. Rishabh Pant shattered records by being the most expensive player in the history of the IPL for INR 27 crore by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), while Shreyas Iyer and Venkatesh Iyer fetched INR 26.75 crore and INR 23.75 crore respectively. Among Indian players, Virat Kohli emerged as the most valuable retention, with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) securing his services for INR 21 crore.
With the IPL player salaries now finalized, Rishabh Pant has become the highest-earning Indian cricketer in terms of cricket-related income. The wicketkeeper-batter secures an annual income of INR 32 crore from his cricketing engagements, surpassing Virat Kohli, who now earns INR 28 crore per year.
Both Pant and Kohli derive their income from two primary streams: BCCI central contracts and IPL deals. Pant is placed in the A category of the BCCI central contracts, earning INR 5 crore annually, while his IPL remuneration stands at INR 27 crore per year, bringing his total earnings to INR 32 crore.
Virat Kohli’s earnings from the BCCI central contract amount to INR 7 crore, as he belongs to the elite A+ category. Additionally, his IPL franchise, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), compensates him with INR 21 crore annually under the newly revised agreement, bringing his total cricket-related income to INR 28 crore.
However, Rishabh Pant’s earnings are poised to rise further when the BCCI announces its updated central contracts in March next year. It is highly likely that Pant will be elevated to the A+ category, given his pivotal role in Team India’s plans across all three formats. Such an upgrade would allow Pant to further widen the earnings gap with Kohli.
Kohli, who has been excluded from India’s T20I squad, may face a downgrade to the A category of the BCCI central contracts, resulting in a reduction in his earnings. As for Shreyas Iyer and Venkatesh Iyer, the next highest earners from the IPL auction, neither player is currently part of the BCCI central contract structure. However, Shreyas still has the opportunity to be included if he makes a successful return to the national team.
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Jasir Basharat is a cricket enthusiast capturing the heart of the game through insightful analysis and storytelling sharing his passion for the sport through engaging narratives. He is a business graduate from University of Kashmir.
