The upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is set to bring great news for players. For the first time in IPL history, players will receive match fees in addition to their auction salary. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced this change, which promises extra income for players based on their match participation.
BCCI Introduces Match Fees for First Time in IPL History
Since the beginning of the IPL in 2008, players have only earned the salary they were auctioned for. This amount depended on how much a team bid for them during the auction. Many top players have made crores over the years, while younger players often started with smaller amounts, growing as their skills shined in later seasons.
However, in a groundbreaking decision made during the IPL Governing Council meeting, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah revealed that players will now also get paid match fees, like in international cricket. This change marks the first time IPL players will earn additional money for the matches they play.
How the Match Fees Will Work
Jay Shah announced that players will receive Rs 7.5 lakh for every match they play in the IPL from the 2025 season. If a player competes in all 14 league stage matches, this extra earning will amount to Rs 1.05 crore. Additionally, if a player makes it to the playoffs and plays three more games, including the final, they could earn an additional Rs 1.23 crore.
Extra Earnings, Regardless of Base Price
This new earning structure applies to all players, whether their auction price is in crores or they are bought at the base price, which now stands at Rs 20 lakh. For example, even if a player starts with a lower auction salary, they can still earn extra money for each match they participate in. It ensures players get rewarded fairly for the number of games they play, offering young and experienced players alike a better chance to increase their earnings.
BCCI’s Decision Adds Rs 12.60 Crore to Franchise Budgets
Each IPL franchise will now be required to set aside Rs 12.60 crore specifically for paying player match fees. However, it’s yet to be clarified whether this amount will be separate from the team’s auction budget or included within the total salary cap.
There are also speculations that the franchise salary purse for the upcoming mega auction could increase from Rs 100 crore to Rs 120 crore, allowing teams to bid higher for top players while managing the new match fee expense.
