Cricket's popularity has experienced an unprecedented surge across continents, leading to its rapid growth and widespread following worldwide. This tremendous rise in popularity has significantly impacted the revenue generated by the sport, with T20 leagues emerging as profitable ventures for investors and promoters. Additionally, cricket boards have witnessed a substantial increase in earnings, driven by the soaring value of broadcasting and digital rights, as well as lucrative brand endorsements.
As a result, cricketers are now commanding massive paycheques. In this blog post, we delve into the realm of the highest-paid cricketers in the world, focusing exclusively on the salaries they receive from their respective cricket boards, while excluding earnings from various T20 leagues.
| Rank | Cricketer | Monthly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pat Cummins | USD 166K |
| 2 | David Warner | USD 125K |
| 3 | Steven Smith | USD 108K |
| 4 | Marnus Labuschagne | USD 100K |
| 5 | Virat Kohli | USD 70.5K |
| 6 | Rohit Sharma | USD 70.5K |
| 7 | Jasprit Bumrah | USD 70.5K |
| 8 | Ben Stokes | USD 62.5K |
| 9 | Joe Root | USD 54K |
| 10 | Jos Buttler | USD 41.5K |
Image Source: Twitter
At present, the coveted title of the highest-paid cricketer in the world belongs to Pat Cummins, the newly-appointed Australian Test skipper. Cummins represents Australia across all formats and boasts a staggering central contract valued at USD 2 million, which includes a captaincy bonus of 200k. Remarkably, he has retained the position of Australia's highest-earning player for the second consecutive year, earning an impressive monthly salary of USD 166.6K.
Image Source: Twitter
David Warner, although approaching the twilight of his career, remains an indispensable player for the Australian team across all formats. Consequently, he holds a substantial central contract worth USD 1.5 million. The 2022 central contracts have secured Warner a monthly salary of USD 125k, underlining his significance to Australian cricket.
Image Source: Twitter
Steven Smith, regarded as one of the Fab-4 in modern cricket, is widely recognized as one of the finest Test batsmen of his generation. With an exceptional Test average exceeding 60, Smith has established himself as the epitome of consistency. While he once occupied the top spot as the highest earner in the Australian cricket side, he has now slipped a couple of places in the latest central contracts. Smith's annual contract with Cricket Australia stands at USD 1.3 million, translating to a monthly income of approximately USD 108.3k.
Image Source: Twitter
Marnus Labuschagne, a right-handed batsman, has rapidly risen to prominence within a relatively short span of time. Alongside Steven Smith, he has become the linchpin of Australia's Test batting lineup. Labuschagne currently occupies the top spot in the ICC Test batting rankings. To reward his exceptional performances, Cricket Australia has bestowed upon him a hefty annual contract valued at USD 1.2 million, equating to a monthly earning of USD 100k.
Image Source: Twitter
Virat Kohli, a true global cricketing superstar, ranks among the highest-paid athletes in the world. While he reigns supreme as the highest-earning cricketer overall when considering all income sources, our focus here is solely on his salary from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). As part of his A+ contract with the BCCI, Kohli enjoys a monthly income exceeding USD 70.5k.
Image Source: Twitter
Rohit Sharma, the captain of the Indian cricket team across all formats, has emerged as an indispensable pillar of the Indian batting unit alongside Virat Kohli. In recent years, Sharma has significantly elevated his stature as a Test batsman, establishing himself as the preeminent opener in world cricket across all formats. While his earnings surpass those of foreign players due to his lucrative IPL contract, Sharma's A+ contract with the BCCI guarantees him a monthly income of INR 7 crore, which amounts to approximately USD 70.5k.
Image Source: Twitter
Jasprit Bumrah, India's premier fast bowler, was recently entrusted with the role of vice-captain for the Test team. Despite battling injuries over the past year, Bumrah remains an integral part of Indian cricket. Among the select few cricketers to hold an A+ contract with the BCCI, Bumrah enjoys an annual income of INR 7 crore, which translates to over USD 70500 per month.
Image Source: Twitter
Ben Stokes, the recently-appointed Test captain of England, has taken the cricketing world by storm with his aggressive approach, alongside coach Brendon McCullum. Although Stokes has retired from ODI cricket to concentrate on Test and T20I formats, he played a pivotal role in England's triumphant T20 World Cup campaign. Holding the most substantial central contract in English cricket, Stokes presently earns a monthly salary of USD 62500.
Joe Root, widely regarded as one of the greatest English batsmen of all time and a modern-day legend, is primarily confined to Test cricket due to England's two-team approach in red and white-ball formats. Nonetheless, Root's value to English cricket remains exceptionally high, owing to the England and Wales Cricket Board's emphasis on Test cricket. Reports indicate that Root's contract is the second-largest within the English team, with a value surpassing USD 54000 per month.
Image Source: Twitter
Jos Buttler, the hard-hitting wicketkeeper, currently leads the English cricket team in ODIs and T20Is as the captain. In recent years, Buttler's reputation as a batsman has soared, culminating in England's triumph in the 2022 T20 World Cup under his leadership. However, Buttler's exclusion from England's Test team confines him to a white-ball contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board. As a result, his monthly earnings are estimated to be USD 41.5k.
Also Read: Who is The Highest Paid Indian Cricketer? Top 5 Highest Paid Cricketer
Cricket's escalating popularity has ushered in a substantial increase in revenue for the sport, enabling cricketers to command sizable salaries. The top ten highest-paid cricketers in the world, as highlighted in this blog post, embody a combination of exceptional skill, consistent performances, and remarkable marketability.
Their earnings from central contracts reflect their immense value to their respective cricket boards. As cricket continues to captivate a global audience and experience further growth, it is anticipated that elite players in the sport will command even higher paycheques in the future.
Give Your Feedback