Top 10 Highest Paid Cricket Player (Updated 2025)

Cricket as a sport has drawn significant financial attention as business tycoons all over the world invest in the game. Apart from scoring runs on the field, the cricketers have also maintained a high value off the field with brand endorsements, social media, and more. The cricket boards pay huge amounts to the cricketers in the central contract, and the boards also have a huge chunk of money to allow the five-star expenses of the cricketers.

Every board provides cricketers with top-class facilities worldwide and ensures they do not face any problems on or off the field. From staying in 5-star hotels to the best meals, the boards take care of everything. The most important thing they take care of is the financial aspect of the cricketers. Many cricketers across the globe receive a hefty amount of salary from their respective boards, which makes them the highest paid cricket player in their respective countries. In this article, we dive into the same to find out the highest-paid cricket player.

List of Highest Paid Cricket Player (2025)

Some of the highest paid cricket player receive a sufficient amount from the BCCI, ACB, and ECB central contracts, which helps them provide great stability. These help showcase a significant shift in cricket's commercial landscape, franchise leagues, sponsorship deals, and social media now drive income more than ever before, putting current cricketers on level with top global cricketers. From the likes of Virat Kohli to Kane Williamson, we have listed below some of the highest paid cricket player. Some of these players have also established themselves as the richest cricketers in the world.

Who are the Highest Paid Cricketers in the World?

Virat Kohli ranks at the top of the highest paid cricketers in the world, with an annual income of nearly INR 302 crore. He has been the face of Indian cricket and a global icon, being one of the most followed athletes in the world. Virat Kohli is the face of many brands, and his aura separates him from other cricketers.

10. Kane Williamson | New Zealand

Kane Williamson remains one of New Zealand's key cricketers across the formats. Williamson, despite leaving captaincy, continues to feature for the Black Caps and score runs whenever his team requires. He has been listed as one of the highest paid cricket player due to his earnings from Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. He has removed himself from the central contract list.

This provides Kane Williamson flexibility and opportunities to play in various T20 franchise leagues. This decision allows him to participate in leagues like the English County Championship, The Hundred, and others, while still making himself available for key New Zealand matches and tournaments. These are places from where he earns a huge chunk of salary, and his annual income is ₹205.01 Crore.

9. Jasprit Bumrah | India

Jasprit Bumrah remains the best bowler in world cricket across formats. The number one Test bowler has been one of the finest cricketers for India in recent years. He has been the go-to bowler for the captains across formats of the game. Bumrah has been centrally contracted with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). He has been in the A+ grade contract, which makes him one of the highest paid cricket player in India.

Jasprit Bumrah earns a hefty amount of nearly INR 7 crore from the richest cricket board in the world. He also gets paid for the Tests, ODIs, and T20Is he plays for the country. Bumrah also endorses many brands and is also one of the highest paid cricket player in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He earns nearly INR 18 crore with the franchise Mumbai Indians. This makes him rank ninth in the list of the highest paid cricketers in the world, making a total of INR 207.58 crore. His hefty fee has also allowed him to become one of the richest cricketers in India.

8. Trent Boult | New Zealand

Trent Boult is a legend for New Zealand cricket. The left-arm seamer has retired from international cricket. His final match was the Black Caps' last group stage game against Papua New Guinea in the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup. Previously, back in 2022, he stepped back from the central contract to be more flexible towards franchise cricket.

Trent Boult has been known for his effective swinging ability with the new ball and picking wickets across formats for the Kiwis and in the franchise leagues as well. As he now plays in franchise leagues, he gets his salary in varied terms. His earnings, coming from the IPL and various global leagues, combined with sponsorships from Adidas and Gatorade, make him one of the highest paid cricketers in the world.

7. Jos Buttler | England

Jos Buttler remains one of the fiercest batters in limited-overs cricket. He, despite being dropped from captaincy, continues to showcase his hitting skills in the white-ball format. Jos Buttler remains with a two-year central contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). This contract extension confirms his commitment to play for England in both Tests and limited-overs formats.

Buttler's contract runs until the T20 World Cup 2026. His performance in the major tournament will ensure his place on the central contract list. Apart from this, he also earns from the IPL, The Hundred, and other leagues across the world. He has been one of the highest paid cricket player with an annual worth of INR 212.60 crore, he earns from the above-mentioned leagues and central contract, and match fees as well.

6. Rohit Sharma | India

Rohit Sharma remains one of the successful captains of India in the limited-overs format. He won the T20 World Cup 2024 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Rohit has retired from the Test and T20I formats, but continues to be in the central contract list of the BCCI. He has been listed in the A+grade of the contract, earning a salary of nearly INR 7 crore, making him one of the highest paid cricketers in India.

Rohit Sharma also remains one of the richest cricketers in the world with his earnings from the BCCI, IPL, brand endorsements, and other ventures as well. He has been a well-established cricketer in the world, with his IPL salary being nearly INR 16.30 crore, making him one of the highest paid cricket player in the IPL and the world as well. He earns a total of INR 216.67 crore from match fees, central contract, and IPL salary.

5. David Warner | Australia

David Warner was one of the most explosive openers of his era. He had been a consistent performer for the Kangaroos in all three formats of the game. David Warner retired from all forms of cricket back in 2024. The Southpaw has been one of the highest paid cricketers in world cricket. Despite his retirement from international cricket, he continues to play in the franchise leagues.

Warner continues to feature in the Big Bash League and other various leagues across the world. He also earns from Instagram ads and brand endorsements. He is also heavily invested in commercial partnerships with brands like Spartan Sports, Toyota, and Kayo Sports, which round out his impressive income profile. He currently has an estimated salary of INR 219.35 crore, which makes him one of cricket highest paid player.

4. Steve Smith | Australia

Steve Smith is one of the finest cricketers of this generation. The former Australian captain recently announced his retirement from ODI cricket. The modern-day great continues to play Test cricket and focus on the traditional format of the game. Smith has been one of the richest cricketers in world cricket. He earns a chunk of money from the Australian cricket board and other leagues.

Steve Smith has been in the central contract of the ACB for the 2025-26 season. Along with this, he gets match fees and tour payments as one of Australia's top cricketers. The central contract ensures a steady income and recognises his status as a leading player. Smith’s endorsement portfolio includes New Balance and Gillette, complementing his salary, making him one of cricket highest paid player.

3. Mitchell Starc | Australia

Mitchell Starc has been one of the prime fast bowlers for Australia in the Test format. He has been one of the best Test bowlers in the world, known for his exceptional pace, lethal swing, and amazing inswing yorkers. Starc has been one of the highest paid cricketers in the world, with his longevity and the kind of impact he has created in world cricket.

Starc remains the highest-paid overseas cricketer in IPL history, when he was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for INR 24.75 crore. He stood up for the Purple and Gold, earning the man of the match in back-to-back knockout matches. Mitchell Starc has also been centrally contracted with the Australian board and has earned a hefty amount of INR 242.56 crore till 2025.

2. Pat Cummins | Australia

Pat Cummins, the captain of the Australian Test team and a world-class fast bowler, has turned the tables for the Kangaroos in the Test and ODI formats. He has led the side to back-to-back ICC World Test Championship finals. He has been one of the highest paid cricket player in the world, earning primarily from the Australian Cricket Board (ACB), IPL, and other leagues as well.

Pat Cummins has been the highest paid cricketers in the central contract for Australia. The bowling all-rounder showcased his talent and his fearless approach on and off the ground. In recent years, he has been a frontline option for many IPL teams, and he has earned a good amount of money from IPL contracts, leading the Sunrisers Hyderabad to the 2024 IPL final. He has currently been paid INR 248.78 crore.

1. Virat Kohli | India

Virat Kohli has been the face of world cricket in recent years. He has carried that aura of becoming one of the most popular cricketers in the world. He has been the best ODI batter for India, with the impact he has created across formats. Kohli has been the richest active cricketer in the world. He gets a hefty amount from various sources, from central contracts to brand endorsements, and he gets the most among all cricketers.

Kohli, who is the highest-paid cricket player because he earns INR 7 crore from the A+grade of BCCI, and he has an IPL salary is INR 21 crore. Apart from this, Virat Kohli's net worth is around 1060 crore has been the face of many brands, like MRF and Puma. He also owns a chain of restaurants named One 8, which is also a fitness and fashion brand. Virat Kohli gets paid around INR 305.49 crore, which ranks him top of the highest paid cricketers.

How We Analyse the Highest Paid Cricketers - Ranking Factors

The ranking has been done on some specific and universal factors so that all the richest cricketers in the world are ranked on a fair basis. Here is the list of the factors that will help to get the answer to who is the highest paid cricketer in the world?

• Central Contract Salary: Central contracts are annual retainer agreements offered by national boards to elite players. In India, for example, the BCCI's 2024–25 tiered structure includes A+ grade holders, and in Australia ACB also has some grades. We check out the highest-grade holders over the years to rank.
• Match Fees (All format - T20, ODI, Test): Match fees are paid on a per-match basis and vary significantly by board and format. Thus, players from richer boards can earn sizable additional sums through frequent match participation. Match fees enhance a player’s total payout, and high volume across formats favours players.
• Franchise League Salary: Franchise leagues, particularly the IPL, are where the richest payouts occur for the cricketers. They get a hefty amount from the franchises. Globally, other leagues (Big Bash, MLC, The Hundred) also contribute.