The cricket world is currently buzzing with excitement. On one hand, IPL 2025 is entertaining fans with power-packed matches. On the other, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 has just begun. But apart from on-field action, a big difference is being noticed off the field – the salary gap between the captains of IPL and PSL teams.
We often hear that IPL is the richest cricket league in the world, but when you compare captain salaries, this statement becomes even more clear. The highest-paid IPL captain in 2025 is earning more than all six PSL captains combined. Sounds unbelievable? Let’s dive deep into the numbers.
IPL 2025 Captain Salaries: Millions for Leadership and Performance
IPL teams are not just picking captains for their cricketing skills, but they are ready to spend big money on them. The 2025 season has shown how highly IPL values leadership and brand power.
Here are the captains and their salaries in IPL 2025:
- Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants) – ₹27 crore
- Shreyas Iyer (Punjab Kings) – ₹26.75 crore
- Pat Cummins (Sunrisers Hyderabad) – ₹18 crore
- Ruturaj Gaikwad (Chennai Super Kings) – ₹18 crore
- Sanju Samson (Rajasthan Royals) – ₹18 crore
- Shubman Gill (Gujarat Titans) – ₹16.5 crore
- Axar Patel (Delhi Capitals) – ₹16.5 crore
- Hardik Pandya (Mumbai Indians) – ₹16.35 crore
- Silchar Patidar (Royal Challengers Bangalore) – ₹11 crore
- Ajinkya Rahane (Kolkata Knight Riders) – ₹1.5 crore
From this list, it’s clear that IPL teams are willing to invest huge amounts in their captains. Rishabh Pant alone has received a whopping ₹27 crore, the highest among all.
PSL 2025 Captain Salaries: Much Lower Compared to IPL
Now let’s look at PSL 2025 captains and their salaries. The figures here are much lower, even for star players.
- David Warner (Karachi Kings) – $300,000 (approx ₹2.58 crore)
- Babar Azam (Peshawar Zalmi) – $220,000 (approx ₹1.89 crore)
- Mohammad Rizwan (Multan Sultans) – $220,000 (approx ₹1.89 crore)
- Shaheen Afridi (Lahore Qalandars) – $220,000 (approx ₹1.89 crore)
- Saud Shakeel (Quetta Gladiators) – $220,000 (approx ₹1.89 crore)
- Shadab Khan (Islamabad United) – $220,000 (approx ₹1.89 crore)
When you calculate the total salary of all six PSL captains, it comes to around ₹12.04 crore. This is less than half of Rishabh Pant’s salary alone.
The 11X Salary Gap Between Top Captains of IPL and PSL
Let’s take a closer look at the top earners:
- Rishabh Pant (IPL) – ₹27 crore
- David Warner (PSL) – ₹2.58 crore
That’s a difference of nearly 11 times. This clearly shows the wide financial gap between IPL and PSL.
Rishabh Pant, as the most expensive IPL captain, is earning around ₹24.5 crore more than David Warner, who is the highest-paid captain in PSL 2025.
Why Is There Such a Big Difference in Salaries?
1. Revenue and Sponsorship
IPL generates massive revenue through broadcasting rights, sponsorships, ticket sales, and online streaming. In 2023, IPL’s broadcasting deal was worth over ₹48,000 crore. PSL’s revenue is much smaller in comparison.
2. Bigger Fan Base
India has a huge cricket fan base, and IPL attracts global attention. With high viewership comes more money, and with more money comes bigger salaries.
3. Market Size and Advertising
Indian companies and brands are ready to spend big on IPL advertisements and sponsorships. From team jerseys to drinks and even fantasy sports platforms, the involvement is massive. This boosts the salaries of not just captains but also other players.
4. Foreign Player Attraction
Even top foreign players prefer IPL over any other T20 league because of the money and exposure. Many PSL players who didn’t get IPL contracts are playing in PSL now.
The Branding Power of IPL Captains
IPL captains like Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, and Shreyas Iyer are not just team leaders, they are also brand ambassadors. Their social media influence and public popularity bring more value to teams.
These captains feature in big brand ads, promotions, and even web shows, making them more marketable. That’s one more reason why IPL franchises are happy to pay big bucks.
PSL Captains Are Star Performers, But Lower Budgets Limit Their Pay
There’s no doubt that PSL captains like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan are world-class players. Their cricket skills are top level, and they have international experience too.
However, PSL’s financial limitations don’t allow teams to pay as much as IPL franchises can. The league is growing, but still far from matching IPL’s economic strength.
Is the Pay Gap Justified?
Some might argue that players in both leagues are giving the same kind of performance, so why such a big salary difference? But when you consider the business side of cricket, the answer becomes clear.
IPL is not just a sports tournament—it’s a billion-dollar business. PSL, although respected and followed, still lacks the global pull that IPL has built over the years.
Will PSL Ever Catch Up?
PSL is improving with each season. More international players are joining, fans are increasing, and sponsorships are growing. But to match IPL’s salary standards, it may take years of consistent growth, better broadcasting deals, and global attention.
Right now, even the combined captain salaries in PSL can’t match the paycheck of one IPL captain. That’s the reality of modern-day cricket business.
IPL and PSL: Two Worlds of T20 Cricket
Both IPL and PSL are competitive leagues with passionate fans. While IPL leads in money, PSL provides great talent and tough matches. But when it comes to what captains earn, the difference is massive and hard to ignore.
The current numbers show us that cricket is not just about the bat and ball anymore—it’s also about big brands, broadcasting rights, and business strategy.
