The world of cricket is abuzz with debates over player salaries in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Pakistan Super League (PSL) as both leagues prepare for the 2025 season, the IPL continues to set the bar with its incredible financial rewards, while the PSL makes significant strides to increase its player fees. This year, both leagues are preparing for an exciting season, but the comparison is intriguing in terms of the financial rewards for their top players. Here’s a detailed look at how the two leagues compare when it comes to compensation for their crème de la crème.
The financial power of the IPL
The IPL continues to dominate the world of cricket with its staggering player salaries and lucrative contracts. The 2025 auction showed the financial power of the tournament, s Rishabh Pant making headlines as the most expensive player in the rich league’s history. Pant secured an unprecedented deal of INR 27 crore s Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)surpassing all previous records.
He was on his heels Shreyas Iyerwhich he bought Punjab Kings (PBKS) for a staggering INR 26.75 crore, further underscoring the league’s willingness to generously reward exceptional talent. The IPL’s massive global viewership, sponsorship deals and broadcast rights allow it to offer players unparalleled financial rewards, making it the most lucrative cricket league in the world.
Also READ: Team breakdown of the most expensive players in IPL history
PSL’s evolving player compensation structure
In contrast, the PSL operates on a draft system, emphasizing a fair distribution of talent among teams. The PSL’s highest pay grade, the Platinum category, sets the top salary at $300,000 for the 2025 season Australian opener David Warner leads as the league’s most expensive player this year.
Recognizing the need to remain competitive, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) increased the salaries of players in all categories starting with the 2025 season. Players in the Platinum category, who previously earned between $130,000 and $170,000, can now secure contracts ranging from $220,000 to $300,000. This wage increase is a significant move aimed at attracting global stars and retaining top domestic talent, demonstrating the growing ambition of the PSL and its focus on building a strong brand.
List of the most expensive players in the IPL and PSL for the 2025 season
| IPL 2025 | PSL 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Player | Team | Player |
| Lucknow Super Giants | Rishabh Pant – 27 crores | Karachi Kings | David Warner – $300,000 |
| Kings of the Punjab | Shreyas Iyer – 26.75 crores | Lahore Qalandars | Daryl Mitchell – at least $220,000 |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | Venkatesh Iyer – 23.75 crores | Peshawar Zalmi | Babar Azam – $220,000 |
| Kings of the Punjab | Arshdeep Singh – 18 crores | Lahore Qalandars | Fakhar Zaman – $220,000 |
| Kings of the Punjab | Yuzvendra Chahal – 18 crores | Lahore Qalandars | Shaheen Afridi – $220,000 |
| Gujarat Titans | Jos Buttler – 15.75 crowns | Peshawar Zalmi | Saim Ayub – $220,000 |
| Capitals of Delhi | KL Rahul – 14 crores | Islamabad United | Naseem Shah – $220,000 |
| Mumbai Indians | Trent Boult – 12.50 crores | Sultans of Multan | Mohammad Rizwan – $220,000 |
| Rajasthan Royals | Jofra Archer – 12.50 crowns | Islamabad United | Matthew Short – $220,000 |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Josh Hazlewood – 12.50 crores | Islamabad United | Shadab Khan – $220,000 |
Also READ: Complete squads of all six teams after PSL 2025 player draft
