Rishabh Pant IPL Salary 2025: Rs 27 Crore Record, Tax Breakdown and Take-Home Pay

How a Wicketkeeper from Roorkee Became IPL’s Biggest Payday

Cricket auctions rarely make front-page financial news. But when the bid for Rishabh Pant crossed Rs 25 crore at a hotel in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in November 2024, the room went quiet. When it finally settled at Rs 27 crore, it was not just a new IPL record. It was a statement about how franchise cricket values match-winners.

Pant did not arrive at that auction as a neutral name on a list. He arrived as someone who had fought back from a near-fatal car accident, spent months learning to walk again, and returned to cricket with the same aggression that had defined his career. That story of recovery, combined with his explosive batting record, turned the auction into a bidding war between Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and ultimately Lucknow Super Giants.

This article covers every dimension of Rishabh Pant’s IPL salary. That includes how his pay grew from his debut season in 2016, what the Rs 27 crore actually means after taxes, what he earns from the BCCI, and why Lucknow kept him for IPL 2026 despite a tough 2025 campaign.

Rishabh Pant IPL Salary History: Season by Season

Understanding the Rs 27 crore figure requires context. Pant’s IPL earnings did not start anywhere near this number. His journey from a teenage pickup to the most expensive player ever sold tells a story of consistent performance, smart retention decisions, and a market that began to price his potential as a generational asset.

 

Season	Team	Salary (Rs Crore)	Key Note
2016	Delhi Capitals	1.90	First IPL season
2017	Delhi Capitals	1.90	Retained
2018	Delhi Capitals	1.90	Best IPL season: 684 runs
2019	Delhi Capitals	1.90	Retained post-record season
2020	Delhi Capitals	1.90	Retained
2021	Delhi Capitals	1.90	Named captain of DC
2022	Delhi Capitals	16.00	Retained as captain post mega-auction
2023	Delhi Capitals	16.00	Retained despite car accident absence
2024	Delhi Capitals	1.00	Returned after injury; retained for continuity
2025	Lucknow Super Giants	27.00	IPL all-time auction record
2026	Lucknow Super Giants	27.00	Retained by LSG ahead of mini-auction

 

One number stands out in that table. In 2024, Pant was retained for just Rs 1 crore. Delhi Capitals were managing their purse strategically after his long injury layoff. A year later, a different franchise paid 27 times that amount to secure his services. That swing represents one of the sharpest value recoveries in sports contract history.

The Rs 27 Crore Bid: What Happened at the 2025 Mega Auction

The IPL 2025 mega auction was held on November 24-25, 2024, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Pant entered as one of the most anticipated names in the pool, having been released by Delhi Capitals ahead of the mega auction cycle.

The bidding opened briskly. Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Lucknow Super Giants traded bids quickly. Sunrisers Hyderabad joined midway before stepping back when the price crossed Rs 20.75 crore. At that point, Delhi Capitals exercised their Right-to-Match card, giving them the option to retain Pant at the highest bid price.

Under IPL rules, if a franchise uses its RTM card, the bidding franchise may raise their offer one final time. LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka chose to push the bid to Rs 27 crore. Delhi Capitals declined to match, and Pant moved to Lucknow.

The final amount broke the record set minutes earlier by Shreyas Iyer, who had gone to Punjab Kings for Rs 26.75 crore. Pant’s Rs 27 crore became the new benchmark for what an elite IPL player is worth in the open market.

The Actual Take-Home: What Pant Gets After Tax

Most people read ‘Rs 27 crore’ and assume that is what Pant deposits into his account. It is not. Cricket salaries in India attract the highest income tax bracket, and for a player at this income level, the deductions are significant.

Salary Breakdown: Rs 27 Crore IPL Contract Gross IPL Salary: Rs 27.00 crore | Applicable Tax (37% rate + surcharge + cess): Approximately Rs 11.48 crore | Estimated In-Hand Salary: Approximately Rs 15.52 crore | Potential Savings via Deductions (travel, manager fees, etc.): Up to Rs 1 crore

Players can reduce their tax burden slightly by claiming professional expenses such as travel costs, stay charges, and management fees as separate components. With smart tax planning, Pant could retain closer to Rs 16.5 crore from the contract.

On top of the base contract, the IPL Governing Council introduced a per-match engagement fee of approximately Rs 7.5 lakh per game. If Pant played all 14 league matches in 2025, this would add around Rs 1.05 crore to his total gross earnings for the season.

IPL 2025 Performance: Was the Rs 27 Crore Worth It?

This is the question that dominated cricket circles for most of the 2025 season. Pant scored 269 runs in 14 matches, with a lone century late in the campaign. His average and strike rate did not meet the expectations a Rs 27 crore captain was expected to fulfil. LSG finished seventh in the points table, missing the playoffs.

The arithmetic is stark. At Rs 27 crore for 269 runs, Pant averaged approximately Rs 10 lakh per run. For comparison, David Warner averaged around Rs 3.2 lakh per run during his peak IPL seasons. No player in IPL history had generated this level of per-run cost.

However, framing the debate purely around runs misses something. Pant brings match-reading intelligence, a leadership presence, and a brand draw that lifts viewership and sponsor interest. LSG’s decision to retain him for IPL 2026 at the same Rs 27 crore figure reflects a belief that his value cannot be counted only in scoreboard numbers.

Beyond IPL: Rishabh Pant’s BCCI Central Contract

Pant’s IPL salary is the most visible number, but it represents just one stream of his cricket income. His BCCI central contract sits him in the Grade A category, which carries a fixed annual retainer of Rs 5 crore, independent of matches played.

Income Source	Amount	Frequency
IPL Base Salary (LSG)	Rs 27 crore	Per season
IPL Match Fee	Rs 7.5 lakh per match	Per game
BCCI Grade A Retainer	Rs 5 crore	Annual
Test Match Fee	Rs 15 lakh	Per match
ODI Match Fee	Rs 6 lakh	Per match
T20I Match Fee	Rs 3 lakh	Per match
Brand Endorsements	Rs 10 to 15 crore (est.)	Annual

If Pant plays an active international schedule, his combined BCCI earnings from retainer plus match fees could push past Rs 6-7 crore in a full season. When this is added to his IPL salary and endorsement income, his total annual earnings exceed Rs 40 crore before tax.

Brand Endorsements and Commercial Income

Pant’s commercial appeal extends well beyond cricket grounds. He currently endorses a range of major brands including Adidas, Dream11, boAt, Noise, SG cricket equipment, and Cadbury. His social media presence and public personality have made him one of the more bankable faces in Indian sport.

Each endorsement deal is estimated to generate between Rs 3 crore and Rs 5 crore. With five or more active partnerships running simultaneously, his endorsement income is estimated at Rs 10 to 15 crore per year. This figure has been growing steadily since his return from injury, as brands value his comeback story and the emotional connection he has with cricket fans.

He has also made strategic investments including an early stake in TechJockey, a technology services company, and has been associated with cricket NFT platform Rario. These ventures signal a broader financial strategy beyond short-term earnings.

IPL 2026: Pant Stays at Rs 27 Crore with Lucknow

When LSG submitted their retention list ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction, Pant’s name was at the top. The team retained 17 players in total, but the retention of their captain at Rs 27 crore was the headline decision.

LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka had publicly signalled his support for Pant even before the retention deadline. The franchise is banking on a second season where Pant settles into his leadership role and converts his natural talent into more consistent match-winning performances.

The IPL 2026 mini-auction took place in Abu Dhabi on December 16, 2025. LSG entered with a remaining purse of approximately Rs 22.95 crore after retentions and trades. They added six new players including Wanindu Hasaranga, Anrich Nortje, and Josh Inglis, rounding out a squad that still centres around Pant as its most high-value and highest-paid player.

How Pant’s Salary Compares to Other IPL Players

Player	Team (2026)	IPL Salary (Rs Crore)
Rishabh Pant	Lucknow Super Giants	27.00
Shreyas Iyer	Punjab Kings	26.75
Nicholas Pooran	Lucknow Super Giants	21.00
Virat Kohli	Royal Challengers Bengaluru	21.00
Rohit Sharma	Mumbai Indians	16.30
KL Rahul	Various franchises	18.00 (est.)
Mayank Yadav	Lucknow Super Giants	11.00

Pant and Shreyas Iyer occupy the top two positions in IPL salary history, both set during the same 2025 mega auction. The gap between them and the third-highest earner is over Rs 5 crore, illustrating how sharply the 2025 auction pushed salary benchmarks upward.

Three Things Most Articles Miss About Pant’s Salary

Most coverage stops at ‘Rs 27 crore.’ Here are three aspects that rarely get explained properly.

The injury year retention tells the real story

When Delhi retained Pant for Rs 16 crore in 2022 despite him being ruled out with a career-threatening injury, they were not being charitable. They were making a calculated call that his talent would regenerate value. That decision looked correct when he returned in 2024 and went on to command Rs 27 crore a year later.

Rs 27 crore is not the total cost to LSG

Franchises pay an additional levy to the IPL board on player fees. The actual cost to LSG for having Pant on their books is higher than the headline number. The exact figure is not publicly disclosed, but this is a standard element of how IPL franchise economics work.

The per-run metric is misleading as a sole measure

Pant’s Rs 10 lakh per run in 2025 sounds damning. But wicketkeeper-batters bring value beyond batting averages. They affect the pace of over changes, they read match situations from behind the stumps, and they contribute to team morale and opposition pressure in ways that statistics do not record.

Rishabh Pant Net Worth in 2025

Combining IPL earnings across 10 seasons, BCCI contracts, and commercial income, Pant’s total career earnings from cricket alone have surpassed Rs 75 crore. With endorsements, investments, and asset appreciation, his overall estimated net worth is placed at approximately Rs 100 crore (around USD 12 million) as of 2025.

His real estate portfolio includes properties in Delhi, Roorkee, Haridwar, and Dehradun. His car collection features a Mercedes, an Audi A8, and a Ford. These are assets consistent with his income bracket and spending patterns common among India’s top-earning cricketers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rishabh Pant’s IPL salary in 2025?

Rishabh Pant’s IPL salary in 2025 is Rs 27 crore. This was the price paid by Lucknow Super Giants at the IPL 2025 mega auction, making him the highest-paid player in IPL history.

What is Rishabh Pant’s take-home salary after tax?

After applicable income tax deductions of approximately Rs 11.48 crore (37% rate plus surcharge and cess), Pant’s estimated in-hand IPL salary is around Rs 15.52 crore. With tax-saving deductions on professional expenses, this could increase to approximately Rs 16.5 crore.

Which team bought Rishabh Pant in IPL 2025?

Lucknow Super Giants bought Rishabh Pant for Rs 27 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction. The franchise outbid Delhi Capitals even after DC used their Right-to-Match card.

Is Rishabh Pant retained for IPL 2026?

Yes. Lucknow Super Giants retained Rishabh Pant for IPL 2026 at the same Rs 27 crore salary. He continues as LSG’s captain going into the 2026 season.

What is Rishabh Pant’s BCCI salary?

Pant holds a Grade A BCCI central contract, which carries a fixed annual retainer of Rs 5 crore. He also earns Rs 15 lakh per Test match, Rs 6 lakh per ODI, and Rs 3 lakh per T20I.

How much has Rishabh Pant earned from IPL overall?

Across all IPL seasons from 2016 to 2025, Pant has earned approximately Rs 75 crore from IPL alone, not counting taxes or other income sources.

What brands does Rishabh Pant endorse?

Pant endorses brands including Adidas, Dream11, boAt, Noise, SG, and Cadbury. His estimated annual endorsement income is between Rs 10 crore and Rs 15 crore.

Conclusion

Rishabh Pant’s IPL salary sits at Rs 27 crore. That is the number on the contract. But the real story is more layered. It is about a franchise betting on a player’s long-term value. It is about a player who returned from one of cricket’s most frightening injury narratives and immediately commanded the biggest payday in T20 league history.

The 2025 season did not deliver the returns LSG hoped for. Pant’s bat was quieter than expected, and the team finished outside the playoffs. But the retention decision for 2026 confirms that Lucknow see him as a cornerstone, not a risk. For cricket fans and finance-minded readers alike, watching how this Rs 27 crore investment plays out over the next two seasons will be one of the most interesting storylines in IPL cricket.