The Indian Premier League (IPL), which made its debut in 2008, has evolved into one of the most lucrative sporting leagues worldwide. This growth has transformed many cricketers, both from India and abroad, into millionaires. The franchises have also shown a willingness to spend significant amounts on players each season, highlighting the league’s financial power.
According to data from Fanatic Sports and Hurun India, Virat Kohli, the former captain of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), is currently the highest-paid player in IPL history up to 2026. Over the course of his career, Kohli has earned an impressive total of Rs 230.2 crore. A large portion of this income comes from his consistent performances with RCB, the franchise he has represented since the very first edition of the tournament.
Kohli’s journey with RCB began in 2008 when he was signed as an Under-19 player for just Rs 12 lakh. He has remained with the same team for all 19 editions of the IPL, making him the only player to have played for a single franchise throughout the entire history of the league. His retention for Rs 21 crore ahead of IPL 2026 solidified his status as the highest-paid player in the league until that year.
Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni follow Kohli in the list of top-earning IPL players. Rohit, who previously captained the Mumbai Indians, is the second-highest-paid Indian player, with earnings amounting to Rs 227.2 crore. MS Dhoni, the most successful IPL captain, ranks third with Rs 200.3 crore earned so far.
The trio of Kohli, Rohit, and Dhoni are the only players to have surpassed the Rs 200 crore mark in IPL earnings. They are closely followed by Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant, and Hardik Pandya. Among the foreign players, Sunil Narine stands out as the highest-paid overseas cricketer, ranking within the top ten.
Top 10 Highest-Paid IPL Players of All Time
- Virat Kohli – ₹230.2 crore
- Rohit Sharma – ₹227.2 crore
- MS Dhoni – ₹200.3 crore
- Ravindra Jadeja – ₹157 crore
- Rishabh Pant – ₹137.8 crore
- Sunil Narine – ₹137.2 crore
- Sanju Samson – ₹126.5 crore
- KL Rahul – ₹126.1 crore
- Shreyas Iyer – ₹126 crore
- Hardik Pandya – ₹122 crore
In addition to individual earnings, the value of IPL franchises has also seen significant growth. According to a report on the valuation of all teams until 2026, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) hold the top position with a valuation of Rs 19,200 crore. Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) come in second and third place, respectively, with valuations of approximately Rs 18,400 crore each. The combined value of all 10 franchises now stands at a staggering Rs 1.63 lakh crore.
This financial success underscores the IPL’s global appeal and its ability to attract top-tier talent and investment. As the league continues to grow, it is likely that future seasons will see even more record-breaking deals and earnings for players and franchises alike.
