Rishabh Pant has set a remarkable milestone by overtaking Virat Kohli as the highest-earning Indian cricketer from cricketing commitments alone. The star wicketkeeper-batter made headlines by becoming the highest-paid cricketer in Indian Premier League (IPL) history. Released by Delhi Capitals ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, Pant was snapped up by the Lucknow Super Giants for a jaw-dropping INR 27 crore, setting a new record in the league’s history.

This staggering salary not only eclipsed the previous IPL salary record held by Pat Cummins but also propelled Pant ahead of Virat Kohli in overall cricket-related earnings. Pant now earns a massive INR 30 crore annually from cricketing endeavours, surpassing Kohli’s INR 28 crore.

This earning encompasses Pant’s IPL salary and his central contract with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), both of which are significant contributors to this financial achievement. Interestingly, Shreyas Iyer could have rivalled Pant’s position with his impressive IPL salary of INR 26.75 crore.

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However, Shreyas Iyer currently lacks a central BCCI contract, which disqualifies him from being included in this exclusive list. Consequently, Indian Test skipper Rohit Sharma occupies the fifth spot among the top earners. Following Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja also rank among the highest-paid Indian cricketers, solidifying their positions as vital assets for Indian cricket.

Pant’s monumental IPL deal highlights his growing stature in the sport and the faith franchises place in his match-winning abilities. It also underscores the evolution of IPL as a platform where players can achieve unprecedented financial success, rewarding them for their impact on the game. With such achievements, Pant continues to rise as one of Indian cricket’s brightest stars.

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Top Indian players’ total earnings when IPL Salary and BCCI Contract combined