Cricketers Receive Million Dollar Paydays At Indian Premier League Auction

The cash flowed at the Indian Premier League’s flashy mega auction on February 12-13 to illustrate the heft of cricket’s richest tournament, where players worldwide seek massive paydays.

The mega auction, utilized for the first time in the IPL since 2018, is a twist on drafts more common in American sports, where the 10 franchises bid on 600 players in a frenzy of activity over two days. It is undoubtedly gaudy, but underlines the sheer wealth of the tournament that has in some ways transcended cricket – certainly in its financial hub of India.

And in this era of fantasy sports where everyone is a pseudo general manager, it makes for captivating viewing unlike the usual tedium of drafts, providing hype and momentum into the upcoming season starting next month.

There is always much anticipation on who will receive the highest pay cheque and the most expensive signing went to India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, who received just over $2 million to be the fourth highest earner ever in IPL auction history.

He was the only player to crack that figure but there were plenty of million-dollar paydays. Shreyas Iyer was sold to Kolkata Knight Riders for a massive $1.6 million while Sri Lankan spinning allrounder Wanindu Hasaranga was in high demand and picked by his previous team Royal Challengers Bangalore for $1.43 million.

Amid a frenzy of interest on Hasaranga, the auction on day one had to be paused when Hugh Edmeades, the auctioneer, collapsed on stage and had to be replaced although fortunately he was reportedly in a stable condition.

A lot of the attention was naturally on Indian players given their availability as the India national team does not play during the near two-month window of the IPL, which is also used as a development pathway for their young cricketers.

International players are tougher for teams to determine given some have national commitments – even though governing bodies try to avoid scheduling during this time frame knowing their stars have an inevitable inclination to fill their coffers – such as Australia touring Pakistan during the start of the IPL.

It led to some Australian stars having pay cuts noticeably Test captain Pat Cummins and David Warner, one of the best batters in IPL history, who both fell short of a million dollars.

The highest overseas player was English hard-hitting batter Liam Livingstone, who was snapped up by Punjab Kings for $1.52 million. But it was still well short of South Africa’s Chris Morris record setting $2.23 million haul last year.

In most instances, the auction merely fattens the bank account of players who are already well remunerated. But, occasionally, there are fairy tale stories of obscure players becoming millionaires overnight.

The best story from this auction was Singapore born and West Australian-raised Tim David, who went to Mumbai Indians for a headlining $1.1 million. Just three years ago, his career was at the crossroads after losing his contract with Western Australia but playing Associates cricket for Singapore – where he lived until he was two – helped spark his career and propel him to carving a niche as a T20 gun for hire.

“I would like a good career in professional cricket,” he told me in 2020. “I want to be a full-time cricketer in Australia across the three formats but also keep playing for Singapore. That’s a pretty good life I reckon.”

Back then he probably in his wildest dreams couldn’t have imagined what would eventually transpire. Having been a standout as the designated finisher for numerous T20 teams around the world, including currently smashing bowlers in the Pakistan Super League, David was coveted by IPL franchises and overnight he’s become not only rich but a household name.

It’s a life-changing contract that makes the IPL – cricket’s wealthiest tournament which has lit a fuse on the staid sport since 2008 – so intoxicating for players and the auction such riveting viewing.