Melbourne: The Indian Premier League (IPL) has reportedly attempted to lure top Australian cricketers with staggering financial incentives, offering captain Pat Cummins and vice-captain Travis Head nearly $10 million annually to participate full-time in overseas T20 leagues.
According to Australian media, an IPL team group approached the cricketers earlier this year with the lucrative proposal. However, both Cummins and Head declined, emphasizing their full commitment to the Australian national team.
Media reports highlight that top Australian cricketers earn around $1.5 million annually from national contracts, with Cummins earning nearly $3 million when including his captaincy allowance. The IPL offer, therefore, represented a significant increase over their regular earnings.
The multi-million dollar proposal came to light during a meeting discussing the privatization of the Big Bash League (BBL). Officials noted that such offers underscore the financial vulnerabilities within Cricket Australia and serve as an example of the financial pressures faced by domestic cricket in retaining top talent.
This is not the first time the IPL has tried to entice international stars. In 2023, England’s Jofra Archer reportedly received a one-year offer of $7.5 million from an IPL franchise, which he also declined, citing national commitments.
The revelation has sparked discussion about the growing financial influence of T20 leagues worldwide and the challenges national boards face in balancing player commitments with lucrative overseas opportunities. Analysts say that while the IPL’s offers are tempting, loyalty to national teams and international cricket regulations remain strong factors influencing players’ decisions.
The incident highlights the increasing commercialization of cricket and the delicate balance between national duty and global franchise opportunities in modern professional cricket.
