Cricket is more than just a sport in India—it’s a national obsession. And with the popularity of the game comes big money for players, especially those who represent Team India. From match fees and BCCI contracts to brand endorsements and IPL deals, the Indian Cricket Players Salary structure is both fascinating and lucrative. In this article, we’ll break down how much Indian cricketers earn, how BCCI grades their contracts, and who the top earners are in 2024.
1. BCCI Central Contracts 2024
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) issues annual central contracts to players, categorizing them into four grades: A+, A, B, and C.
| Grade | Annual Salary | Top Players |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | ₹7 crore | Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah |
| A | ₹5 crore | R. Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul |
| B | ₹3 crore | Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel |
| C | ₹1 crore | Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Umesh Yadav |
💡 Note: These are base salaries and don’t include match fees or endorsements.
2. Match Fees (Per Match Basis)
Indian cricketers also earn match-wise fees based on the format:
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Test Match – ₹15 lakh per match
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ODI Match – ₹6 lakh per match
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T20I Match – ₹3 lakh per match
For example, if a player participates in 10 Tests, 10 ODIs, and 10 T20Is in a year, that adds up to an additional ₹2.4 crore!
3. IPL Salaries
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is where many cricketers make a significant chunk of their annual income.
Here’s a look at some of the highest IPL salaries in 2024:
| Player | IPL Team | Salary (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | Mumbai Indians | ₹16 crore |
| Virat Kohli | RCB | ₹15 crore |
| KL Rahul | LSG | ₹17 crore |
| Hardik Pandya | MI | ₹15 crore |
| Shubman Gill | GT | ₹12 crore |
4. Endorsements and Brand Deals
Top Indian players earn crores annually through endorsements. Companies like Puma, Adidas, MRF, CEAT, and Pepsi sign multi-crore deals with cricketers.
Estimated Endorsement Earnings (2024):
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Virat Kohli – ₹100+ crore/year
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Rohit Sharma – ₹50+ crore/year
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Hardik Pandya – ₹25+ crore/year
5. Additional Earnings
Indian cricketers also earn from:
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Social media collaborations
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Post-retirement commentary or coaching roles
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Personal YouTube channels and podcasts
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Awards and performance bonuses from BCCI
6. Who is the Highest-Paid Indian Cricketer in 2024?
As of 2024, Virat Kohli remains one of the highest-paid Indian cricketers, combining BCCI salary, match fees, IPL earnings, and endorsements. However, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul are not far behind in total income.
Conclusion
The Indian Cricket Players Salary structure showcases how playing for the country isn’t just an honor—it’s also highly rewarding. With BCCI contracts, match fees, IPL money, and booming brand deals, Indian cricketers are among the highest-earning athletes in the country. As cricket continues to grow, especially with T20 leagues and digital fame, the numbers are only expected to rise.