The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the best in the world – the national Indian cricket team features some of the best players in the league. And they definitely get paid for it. Cricket is like football in India. It’s a high-profile sport with a lot of money.
Below, we’ll give you an overview of the IPL and who are the highest-earning players in 2024.
The Indian Premier League
The IPL started in 2008, quickly becoming the top league in Indian cricket. An IPL cricket match is one of the best to watch – there’s so much talent on screen. In 2014, it was ranked the 6th most-attended sports league worldwide.
And while social media and Netflix might have made Formula 1 and NFL more popular, it’s still a top-watched sport. It brings together the crème de la crème of international and Indian cricket talent. The IPL arguably changed cricket with its city-based franchises, glamorous auctions, and a mix of sports and entertainment.
It completely changed the game with its night matches and strategic innovations, providing a golden opportunity for young talents to shine. The IPL’s success has inspired similar T20 leagues globally.
Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc is the biggest star in the IPL. Or, at least, his bank account is the biggest. He bags an incredible 247.5 million rupees, currently about $2.98 million. It doesn’t sound like much when you compare it to NFL and NBA salaries, but for the IPL, it’s a lot. Starc plays for the Kolkata Knight Riders. He’s an Australian known for delivering toe-crushing yorkers and swift bouncers. He’s an incredible bowler.
Starc’s journey is spectacular; his IPL salary reflects that. He’s the player who can turn the game on its head within a couple of overs.
Pat Cummins
Pat Cummins, is another unbelievable Australian player currently playing for the Sunrisers Hyderabad. He pockets 205 million rupees, currently about $2.47 million.
Cummins is another Australian who’s made a mark with rapid pace and is good at batting lower down the order. Cummins can break crucial partnerships and chip in with valuable runs. He’s one of the most prized assets in the IPL.
Sam Curran
Sam Curran plays for the Punjab Kings. He isn’t too far behind Cummins, earning 185 million rupees. That’s about $2.23 million. He’s a young English all-rounder who left for India to play with the best, and he’s been shining in the league. He’s known for his swing bowling and aggressive batting. Curran can change the game with the bat and ball – he can pretty much do anything. He had a rapid rise to success in the IPL. He’ll likely stay for a year.
Cameron Green
Cameron Green plays for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. He makes 175 million rupees. With the current exchange rate, that’s about $2.11 million. Another Australian all-rounder, Green has quickly made a name for himself. He’s massive and towers above everything – it’s hard to miss him. And his ability to hit the ball for miles is incredible. He’s not a bad bowler either. He’s a vital part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
KL Rahul
KL Rahul is the captain of the Lucknow Super Giants. He might not be the highest earner in the IPL, but he is one of the best players. He earns 170 million rupees, about $2.05 million. It’s a good salary for the team he’s playing for. He’s arguably one of the best batsmen in the IPL.
Rahul’s ability to anchor the innings and switch up the game makes him an invaluable player. Rahul’s leadership and batting skills are essential to his team’s winnings – you could say the team wouldn’t survive without him.
Nicholas Pooran
Finally, we have Nicholas Pooran. He also plays for the Lucknow Super Giants, earning 160 million rupees. That’s about $1.93 million. He comes from West India and is known for his explosive batting in the middle order. And if you watch some of his games, the explosive is maybe not the right word to describe the power of his batting. He’s a valuable player in the T20 format. He has a fearless approach and the ability to clear the boundaries with ease.
These players earn their money. And they’re incredible talents playing in a league everyone wants to play in. Watch a game of IPL cricket and you’ll realize why these players earn as much as they do.
