Rishabh Pant Becomes Highest-Paid Player In IPL History With Earnings Surpassing Rs. 27 Crore

Rishabh Pant has set a new benchmark in the Indian Premier League (IPL) by becoming the highest-paid player ever. The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) secured his services for an unprecedented Rs. 27 crore during the IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

This significant milestone comes after Pant's remarkable comeback from a serious car accident in 2022, which saw him return to international cricket. The auction witnessed intense bidding, with Delhi Capitals trying to retain him using the Right to Match (RTM) card at Rs. 20.75 crore. However, LSG's aggressive offer of Rs. 27 crore led Delhi to withdraw, making Pant the focal point of LSG's IPL 2025 strategy.

Pant's contract headlines with Rs. 27 crore, but his earnings will exceed this due to a new initiative by the IPL Governing Council. Starting in IPL 2025, players will receive an additional match fee of Rs. 7.5 lakh per game.

If Pant participates in all 14 league matches, he will earn an extra Rs. 1.05 crore, raising his total annual IPL income to Rs. 28.05 crore. Despite these impressive figures, tax deductions will significantly impact his earnings.

The Indian government imposes a 30% income tax on Pant's salary, amounting to Rs. 8.1 crore from his Rs. 27 crore contract. Consequently, he will take home Rs. 18.9 crore annually.

The match fees are not included in this calculation, potentially increasing his effective annual earnings to nearly Rs. 20 crore if he plays the entire season.

Leadership Role and Contractual Guarantees

Pant is expected to lead LSG as captain in IPL 2025, taking over from Nicholas Pooran. The franchise assures full payment even if players suffer mid-tournament injuries.

However, those who withdraw before the tournament or miss games for personal reasons are compensated on a prorated basis.

Anticipation for IPL Season

The IPL season is set to commence on March 14, 2025, with Pant at the helm of LSG's quest for victory. His record-breaking contract and additional match fees underscore his immense value to the team.