Indian Cricket Salaries: What Players Really Make

Ever wonder how much a cricketer in India takes home? It isn’t just the match fees you hear about on TV. A player’s income comes from a mix of BCCI contracts, IPL team deals, and brand endorsements. Let’s break it down so you can see where the money flows.

BCCI Central Contracts

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) gives every regular international player a central contract. The contracts are split into three grades: A, B, and C. In 2024‑25, Grade A players – the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah – earned about ₹7 crore per year. Grade B players earned around ₹4.5 crore and Grade C about ₹2.5 crore. These figures include a basic salary, match fees for Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, as well as a performance bonus.

What does this mean for a newcomer? If you’re just breaking into the Test side, you’ll likely start in Grade C. That still translates to a comfortable six‑figure monthly income, plus extra cash when you play matches.

IPL Contracts and Endorsements

While BCCI contracts are steady, the Indian Premier League (IPL) can explode a player’s earnings. Teams bid for players in an auction, and top stars often walk away with ₹15‑20 crore for a single season. For example, in the 2023 auction, a few marquee players fetched over ₹30 crore.

Even the average squad member earns around ₹5‑8 crore a season. The amount depends on the player’s reputation, recent form, and the team’s budget. Most contracts include a base salary plus a win‑bonus if the team reaches the playoffs.

Brands love IPL exposure, so many players sign endorsement deals that can match or exceed their cricket earnings. A popular name can earn ₹2‑3 crore per year from ads, social media promotions, and product launches. Endorsements often continue long after the playing career ends, turning a short‑term salary into a lifelong income stream.

How do you maximize these deals? Build a strong personal brand on social media, stay injury‑free, and keep performance consistent. Sponsors look for players who are both skilled and marketable.

In short, an Indian cricketer’s paycheck can range from a few crores for a newcomer to over ₹50 crore for a superstar, when you add IPL and endorsements. The exact numbers change each year, but the mix of BCCI salary, IPL cash, and brand money stays the same.

If you’re a fan curious about the numbers, keep an eye on BCCI’s annual contract releases in December and IPL auction news in December–January. Those two events give you the clearest picture of who’s earning what.

Understanding Indian cricket salaries helps you see why players fight hard for consistency. It’s not just pride – it’s a real financial goal that drives many decisions on the field.