IPL: Top 5 India cricketers who have earned the most from cash-rich league

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in IPL. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

In the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction, youngsters Sam Curran and Cameron Green saw themselves among the big bucks. Both players made it to the list of the costliest players in the history of the tournament. The Australian sensation became the second-most expensive player in the tournament, following the England all-rounder, who became the most expensive buy at INR 18.5 crore.

Looking at these figures, it can be said that the league has done justice to many talents. Along with foreign players, the distinguished league has become a platform for local players to develop their careers and take home exceptional amounts. Some Indian stalwarts who served for their respective franchises for years are now on the chart of India cricketers who have earned vast chunks of money.

Talking more about it, here are five India players who are top earners from the cash-rich league

5. Ravindra Jadeja– INR 109 crore

Ravindra Jadeja. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Ravindra Jadeja started his IPL career with Rajasthan Royals (RR) in 2008. Witnessing his performance in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2008, the franchise signed him for 12 lakh. After serving RR for two years, he was banned from the third installment of the league due to breaching players’ guidelines. The India all-rounder attempted to get a contract from other franchises without informing Royals.

In 2011, he returned to the IPL fold, with Kochi Tuskers Kerala (KTK) signing him at INR 4.37 crore. However, a year later, he again went under the hammer as KTK got terminated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for breaching the terms of the agreement. This time, he became the costliest player of the season as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bought him for INR 12.8 crore.

In 2016 and 2017, Jadeja represented Gujarat Lions (GL) as CSK faced a two-year ban. Playing the maiden season for GL, he got INR 5.5 crore, while in the next season, he received INR 9.5 crore. Since 2018, the veteran is serving Super Kings, and his current salary is INR 16 crore.

4. Suresh Raina– INR 110 crore

Suresh Raina. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Suresh Raina announced his retirement from the IPL in September 2022 after missing the 15th season of the league. The left-arm batter’s journey in the cash-rich league began in 2008, with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) investing INR 2.6 crore at the inaugural IPL auction. In 2010, he played an instrumental role in CSK’s title victory, which elevated his position in the team.

Appreciating Southpaw’s top-notch services to CSK, the team management retained him along with skipper MS Dhoni, Albie Morkel, and Murali Vijay. The Chennai-based franchise also raised his salary from INR 2.6 to INR 5.9 crore for 2011-13 editions. In 2014, the franchise retained him again, reserving his services for a whopping INR 9.5 crore.

In CSK’s absence, the veteran also played for Gujarat Lions (GL) for a couple of years. Believing in his leadership skills, the GL team management didn’t hesitate to splurge INR 9.5 crore and 12.5 crores in 2016 and 2017, respectively. The India veteran rejoined his old franchise CSK in 2018 for INR 11 crore. His second stint with the franchise sustained till 2021.

3. Virat Kohli– INR 173 crore

Virat Kohli. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Virat Kohli is the oldest servant of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), as the veteran is providing his services to the franchise since 2008. In the inaugural IPL auction, the franchise picked him at INR 12 lakh. His amazing captaincy and batting performance in the 2008 Under-19 World Cup played a crucial role in getting him the IPL contract.

Before the 2011 mega-auction, Kohli became the only player retained by the franchise. His excellent performance in international cricket for India grabbed the eyes of the RCB management. Spotting a spark in him, the franchise also gave him a pay raise. This time, the dashing right-handed batter’s salary was INR 8.3 crore.

In 2013, the franchise assigned him the captaincy role, and the following year, RCB again raised his salary from 8.3 crore to 12.5 crore. From 2018 to 2021, his salary was INR 17 crore/year, but since 2022, he is getting paid INR 15 crore per annum as the franchise deducted his pay, following IPL salary-cap rules.

2. MS Dhoni– INR 176 crore

MS Dhoni. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

Under MS Dhoni, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has emerged as one of the most successful franchises in the cash-rich league. Back in 2008, the franchise signed the talismanic player at INR 6 crore. With this sum, he became the highest-paid cricketer in the maiden IPL edition.

In 2010, he lifted the prestigious IPL trophy and Champions League T20 trophy for his team. Witnessing these phenomenal performances of the team, the franchise management retained him for 2011. Along with the retention, he also got a salary hike. This time, his fee was INR 8.3 crore per year.

From 2014 to 2017, he represented two teams, CSK (2014-15) and Rising Pune Supergiant (RPSG), and during this period, he received 12.5 crore every year. CSK returned to the league fold in 2018 after serving their two-year suspension. With the comeback of CSK, MS Dhoni’s salary increased from INR 12.5 crore to INR 15 crore. However, his current fee is INR 12 crore, as the veteran has not shied away from receiving a pay cut before the 2022 IPL.

1. Rohit Sharma– INR 178 crore

Rohit Sharma. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

Rohit Sharma is the most successful captain in the history of the league as the charismatic player has delivered five trophies to Mumbai Indians (MI) under his captaincy. The Nagpur-born cricketer became a part of MI in 2011 as the franchise fetched him in the fourth IPL auction at a humongous sum of INR 9.2 crore.

Earlier, from 2008 to 2010, he played for Deccan Chargers (DC) at a yearly salary of INR 3 crore. After bagging a trophy for MI in 2013 with his leadership skills, he got retained by the franchise for INR 12.5 crore per annum. In 2017, he again proved his mettle in the tournament, winning the third title for his franchise.

Following his fabulous captaincy show, MI reserved his services for INR 15 crore/annum for the 2018 edition. Ahead of the 2022 IPL auction, Mumbai held him back for a tremendous sum of INR 16 crore/year. With this massive amount, Rohit is one of the highest-paid Indian players in the league.

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