2025’s Cricket Cash Kings
- Virat Kohli retains his throne with $35M+ from endorsements and leagues.
- IPL dominates earnings, contributing 60% of total income for top players.
- Emerging stars like Rashid Khan break into the top 5 with $22M.
- Female cricketers like Ellyse Perry climb rankings with $8.5M.
- Social media influence drives 30% of endorsement deals.
Key Points
- League Supremacy: IPL, PSL, and The Hundred fuel massive payouts.
- Brand Power: Players with 10M+ social followers secure premium deals.
- Dual Careers: Retired legends like MS Dhoni earn via coaching and ownership.
- Niche Markets: Regional endorsements (e.g., India’s edtech brands) boost income.
- Performance Bonuses: World Cup wins add $2M–$5M to annual earnings.
The Top 10 Highest-Paid Cricketers in 2025
1. Virat Kohli – $38 Million
- Salary: $12M (IPL, BCCI contracts).
- Endorsements: Puma, MRF, Tata, 20+ brands.
- 2025 Highlights: Launched fitness app “Vivo Active”, owns IPL team Bengaluru Tigers.
- Why He’s #1: Unmatched brand loyalty and global appeal.
2. Pat Cummins – $28 Million
- Salary: $18M (IPL’s most expensive 2025 auction pick).
- Endorsements: ASICS, Nissan, Australian tourism.
- 2025 Highlights: Leading Australia’s World Cup victory added $4M in bonuses.
3. Rashid Khan – $22 Million
- Salary: $14M (PSL, IPL, GT20 Canada).
- Endorsements: Boost, Alibaba Cloud, UAE-based brands.
- 2025 Highlights: First Afghan player to own a T10 league franchise.
4. Babar Azam – $19.5 Million
- Salary: $9M (PSL, Pakistan national team).
- Endorsements: Pepsi, Huawei, Habib Bank.
- 2025 Highlights: Signed $5M deal with Dubai’s luxury real estate firm.
5. Jos Buttler – $18 Million
- Salary: $10M (IPL, The Hundred, England central contract).
- Endorsements: Red Bull, Jaguar, Castore Sportswear.
- 2025 Highlights: Became the first player to score 1,000 IPL