Rishabh Pant : The IPL 2025 mega auction was a historic event, with Rishabh Pant setting a new record as the most expensive player in IPL history. The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) secured the star wicketkeeper batter for a staggering ₹27 crore, beating fierce competition from the Delhi Capitals. However, despite the headline grabbing figure, Pant will not be taking home the full ₹27 crore.
Table of Contents
Why Rishabh Pant Won’t Receive the Full ₹27 Crore in IPL 2025: Here’s the Reason
The ₹27 Crore Salary: The Reality Behind the Numbers
While ₹27 crore sounds like a dream paycheck, it’s not the amount Pant will actually pocket. The primary reason lies in India’s tax laws, which impose a significant deduction on such high earnings.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Contracted Salary: ₹27 crore
- Tax Deduction (30%): ₹8.1 crore
- Take-Home Salary: ₹18.9 crore
This means that ₹8.1 crore will go directly to the Indian government as income tax under the 30% tax bracket applicable to such earnings. This leaves the 27-year-old cricketer with a net income of ₹18.9 crore from the IPL 2025 season.
The Record Breaking Auction Battle for Rishabh Pant
The bidding war for Pant was one of the most intense moments in IPL auction history. Starting with a base price of ₹2 crore, Pant’s value quickly skyrocketed as the Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants vied for the marquee player.
- Delhi Capitals, Pant’s team since 2016, used the Right-to-Match (RTM) card to bid ₹20.75 crore in an attempt to retain him.
- However, Lucknow Super Giants, determined to secure the dynamic batter, escalated their bids to ₹27 crore, ultimately leaving DC no choice but to bow out.
Pant’s monumental contract with LSG marks a new chapter in his IPL journey, cementing his status as one of the league’s biggest superstars.
Why Delhi Capitals Let Pant Go
Despite Pant’s legacy with the Delhi Capitals, co-owner Parth Jindal revealed why the franchise didn’t retain him:
“Rishabh Pant at ₹18 crore and at ₹27 crore is a completely different proposition. If we had matched that price, it would have disrupted our entire auction strategy.”
This decision highlights the tactical considerations that franchises must balance when managing their budgets, even for a player as impactful as Pant.
Rishabh Pant’s Remarkable Comeback Story
Pant’s record-breaking IPL contract isn’t just about his cricketing prowess, it’s a testament to his resilience and determination.
- In 2023, Pant missed the IPL season following a near-fatal car accident, which left him sidelined for months.
- Against all odds, he made a stunning comeback in international cricket, winning praise for his leadership and aggressive batting.
His recovery and return to form have made his ₹27 crore deal even more special, as it symbolizes his journey back to the top of the game.
How Does Pant’s Salary Compare?
Pant’s ₹27 crore deal broke the previous record for the highest-paid IPL player, set at ₹25 crore in 2023. While his net earnings after tax are ₹18.9 crore, this still places him in the top tier of IPL salaries. Here’s how it compares to others:
- MS Dhoni (CSK, 2023): ₹15 crore
- Virat Kohli (RCB, 2023): ₹17 crore
- Rashid Khan (GT, 2023): ₹16 crore
Despite the deductions, Pant’s net income remains a testament to his immense value in the league.
Why the ₹27 Crore Price Tag?
Rishabh Pant’s record breaking price reflects his all round value:
- Dynamic Leadership: Pant will captain LSG in IPL 2025, bringing leadership experience and tactical sharpness.
- Explosive Batting: Known for his audacious stroke play and ability to change games single-handedly, Pant is a match-winner in T20 cricket.
- Fan Following: Pant’s popularity boosts the franchise’s marketability, attracting sponsors and fans alike.
Pant’s case sheds light on an important aspect of IPL contracts, the impact of taxation. While ₹27 crore might make headlines, the net income players receive is significantly reduced due to tax laws.
For young cricketers dreaming of IPL stardom, it’s a reminder that the numbers on paper aren’t always what they seem.
FAQs
Why won’t Rishabh Pant receive the full ₹27 crore from his IPL 2025 contract?
₹8.1 crore will be deducted as income tax under Indian tax laws, leaving him with ₹18.9 crore in take home salary
Which team bought Rishabh Pant for ₹27 crore in IPL 2025?
The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) secured Rishabh Pant for ₹27 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction
