Top 10 cricketers with highest pay in IPL 2025

The 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to start on March 14, 2025. The two-day IPL 2025 mega auction held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia saw all the franchises finalizing their squads.

Teams were allowed to retain up to six players this season, including two uncapped and five capped players. The ten franchises spent an incredible INR 639.15 crores on 182 players at the mega auction.

Interestingly, before the IPL 2025 season, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a major change in the IPL by introducing a match fee of ₹7.5 lakhs per game. In addition to their contracted salary, a cricket player who plays in every league game will receive an extra ₹1.05 crores. As a result of the new regulation, players will now be paid even more than their franchise-contractual salary.

In light of this, here are the top 14 players in the IPL 2025 in terms of earnings.

10. Sanju Samson (RR) – 18 crores + match fees

The Rajasthan Royals paid Captain Sanju Samson INR 18 crores to keep him on board. Sanju is one of the most in-form players in T20s right now. In 2024, the right-hander scored three hundreds for India in matches against South Africa and Bangladesh.

Along with Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, and Shimron Hetmyer, Sanju will balance out RR's middle order.

9. Pat Cummins (SRH) – 18 crores + match fees

Sunrisers Hyderabad paid Pat Cummins, the Australian captain of the Test and ODI teams, INR 18 crores. Cummins' leadership played a key role in SRH's successful IPL 2024 campaign, which saw them advance to the tournament final, but they lost it eventually.

The franchise signed Cummins for a hefty fee of INR 20.5 crores during the IPL 2024 auction, so even a salary of an astounding 18 crores will be a pay cut for him.

8. Arshdeep Singh (PBKS) – 18 crores + match fees

Even though Arshdeep Singh was released prior to the IPL 2025 mega auction, PBKS managed to re-acquire the Indian speedster for INR 18 crores in salary. In the past few years, Arshdeep has become one of the top bowlers in the T20 format.

In 65 IPL games, Arshdeep has claimed 76 wickets for PBKS. With 17 wickets during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, he was also India's top wicket-taker.

7. Yuzvendra Chahal (PBKS) – 18 crores + match fees

At the IPL 2025 mega auction, Punjab Kings paid INR 18 crores for Yuzvendra Chahal. At the mega auction, Chahal became the franchise's third big acquisition.

With 205 wickets under his belt, Chahal is the most successful bowler in IPL history. He will be well suited to the long boundaries of Mullanpur.

6. Nicholas Pooran (LSG) – 21 crores + match fees

Prior to the IPL 2024 auction, Nicholas Pooran was signed by the Lucknow Super Giants for a substantial salary of INR 21 crores. 

Pooran, who is regarded as one of the world's most explosive batters, has amassed 1769 runs at a strike rate of 163 in 76 IPL games. He is among the contenders to lead LSG in the forthcoming campaign.

5. Virat Kohli (RCB) – 21 crores + match fees

Modern-day great Virat Kohli was retained for INR 21 crores as the No. 1 pick by Royal Challengers Bengaluru. In addition to Rajat Patidar and Yash Dayal, he was one of just three players kept by the team.

Kohli has been a true IPL icon. With 8004 runs, he is also the most successful batter in the history of the competition. Furthermore, his record of scoring 973 runs in a single IPL season in 2016 is still the most by any batter.

4. Heinrich Klassen (SRH) – 23 crores + match fees

Heinrich Klassen stands as one of the most feared batters in the world. The South African batter and wicketkeeper was signed by Sunrisers Hyderabad for an incredible INR 23 crores. Klassen is now the most expensive player to be retained in the IPL history.

Klassen has amassed 993 runs in 35 IPL games. He played a key role in SRH's stellar IPL 2024 campaign, scoring 479 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 172.

3. Venkatesh Iyer (KKR) – 23.75 crores + match fees

During the IPL 2025 mega auction, the Kolkata Knight Riders paid an enormous INR 23.75 crores to re-acquire the services of all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer. Since 2021, Venkatesh has been a crucial member of KKR. The southpaw has scored 1326 runs for KKR in 50 games.

Venkatesh has been signed by KKR as a possible captain for the upcoming campaign. The player has also expressed his desire to take on the role, saying that he is ready for the opportunity.

2. Shreyas Iyer (PBKS) – 26.75 crores + match fees

Punjab Kings broke the bank to acquire IPL 2024-winning captain Shreyas Iyer. Iyer and coach Ricky Ponting will be reunited after Iyer's INR 26.75 crore transfer to PBKS. Iyer and Ponting have previously collaborated for the Delhi Capitals in the IPL.

Punjab will expect Iyer to replicate his last season’s heroics for the franchise. Over his IPL career, Iyer has amassed 3127 runs in 115 games.

1. Rishabh Pant (LSG) – 27 crores + match fees

At the IPL 2025 mega auction, Rishabh Pant was purchased by the Lucknow Super Giants for an incredible INR 27 crores. Pant has surpassed Shreyas Iyer, who won INR 26.75 crores just minutes before Pant at the IPL 2025 mega auction, to become the most expensive player in IPL history.

Pant has been an IPL icon, scoring 3284 runs across 111 innings in the IPL. For the first time, Pant will play for a team other than the Delhi Capitals in the IPL next season.

Cover Credits - IPL Official