The list of the highest-paid Indian Premier League players in 2026 features a mix of players, including Indian superstars and overseas T20 specialists.
20 Highest-Paid IPL Players in 2026, Ranked
| Rank | Player | Salary | Team |
| 1 | Rishabh Pant | $3.2 million | Lucknow Super Giants |
| 2 | Shreyas Iyer | $3.15 million | Punjab Kings |
| 3 | Heinrich Klaasen | $2.7 million | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| T-4 | Virat Kohli | $2.5 million | Royals Challengers Bangalore |
| T-4 | Nicholas Pooran | $2.5 million | Lucknow Super Giants |
| T-6 | Ruturaj Gaikwad | $2.1 million | Chennai Super Kings |
| T-6 | Sanju Samson | $2.1 million | Chennai Super Kings |
| T-6 | Rashid Khan | $2.1 million | Gujarat Titans |
| T-6 | Jasprit Bumrah | $2.1 million | Mumbai Indians |
| T-6 | Arshdeep Singh | $2.1 million | Punjab Kings |
| T-6 | Yuzvendra Chalal | $2.1 million | Punjab Kings |
| T-6 | Yashasvi Jaiswal | $2.1 million | Rajasthan Royals |
| T-6 | Pat Cummins | $2.1 million | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| T-14 | Shubman Gill | $2 million | Gujarat Titans |
| T-14 | Axar Patel | $2 million | Delhi Capitals |
| T-16 | Jos Buttler | $1.9 million | Gujarat Titans |
| T-16 | Hardik Pandya | $1.9 million | Mumbai Indians |
| T-16 | Suryakumar Yadav | $1.9 million | Mumbai Indians |
| T-16 | Rohit Sharma | $1.9 million | Mumbai Indians |
Which IPL Players Will Make the Most in 2026?
1. Rishabh Pant, $3.2 Million
Rishabh Pant became the highest-paid IPL player of all time when the Lucknow Super Giants paid $3.2 million for the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter in last year’s auction.
2. Shreyas Iyer, $3.15 Million
The captain of Punjab Kings, Shreyas Iyer, set the record for being the most expensive IPL player ever in the same auction as Pant. Iyer’s salary is slightly less than his compatriot.
3. Heinrich Klaasen, $2.7 Million
One of the greatest T20 batters ever, Heinrich Klaasen has made millions on the white-ball circuit. He has been with Sunrisers Hyderabad since 2023.
T-4. Virat Kohli, $2.5 Million
It’s a bit surprising that Virat Kohli isn’t higher on this list, given his profile in India and his track record in white-ball cricket. India’s former captain is by far the leading run scorer in IPL history.
T-4. Nicholas Pooran, $2.5 Million
Lucknow doubled down on power-hitting by pairing Pant with Nicholas Pooran. The Trinidadian was in contention for the Orange Cap for the majority of the 2025 season.
T-6. Ruturaj Gaikwad, $2.1 Million
Despite a strong IPL career with the Chennai Super Kings, Ruturaj Gaikwad has had limited opportunities with the national team. He is Chennai’s captain.
T-6. Sanju Samson, $2.1 Million
A teammate of Gaikwad, Chennai acquired Sanju Samson via a trade with the Rajasthan Royals during the 2025-26 offseason. Samson had his most productive season in 2024 with more than 500 runs.
T-6. Rashid Khan, $2.1 Million
A masterful spin bowler and powerful batter, Rashid Khan is one of the most sought-after T20 cricketers on the planet. He has been with the Gujarat Titans since 2022.
T-6. Jasprit Bumrah, $2.1 Million
The best all-around bowler in the world, Jasprit Bumrah’s availability is crucial to the Mumbai Indians. Mumbai’s cricket betting price to win the title will lengthen considerably if Bumrah is sidelined.
T-6. Arshdeep Singh, $2.1 Million
Able to get lateral movement with the new ball and consistently showcasing an ability to stay calm under pressure, Arshdeep Singh has been a highly effective T20 bowler over the last few years.
T-6. Yuzvendra Chahal, $2.1 Million
The first player to take 200 IPL wickets, Yuzvendra Chahal has translated his success in franchise tournaments to a solid international career with India.
T-6. Yashasvi Jaiswal, $2.1 Million
One of the rising young stars in world cricket, Yashasvi Jaiswal has already played some spectacular innings in T20 cricket. He’s going to be a key player for the Royals for the rest of the decade.
T-6. Pat Cummins, $2.1 Million
Lingering injury issues cast doubt over Pat Cummins’ availability for the 2026 edition of the IPL. Cummins is one of the best T20 bowlers in the world when fully fit.
T-14. Shubman Gill, $2 Million
Owner of the second-highest run tally in a single IPL season, Shubman Gill has been a standout performer in the IPL over the last few seasons.
T-14. Axar Patel, $2 Million
An excellent left-arm spinner and a talented batter, Axar Patel contributes in all facets of the game. He’s been with the Delhi Capitals since 2019.
T-16. Jos Buttler, $1.9 Million
Few batters can rival Jos Buttler’s track record in T20 cricket. A World Cup winner with England, Buttler has played a catalogue of extraordinary innings in the IPL.
T-16. Hardik Pandya, $1.9 Million
Along with Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya is part of the core of the Mumbai Indians, which has been so successful. Pandya contributes with the bat and ball.
T-16. Suryakumar Yadav, $1.9 Million
For a period, Suryakumar was the best T20 batter in the world. Inventive and a remarkably clean striker of the ball, he has frequently tormented opposing bowlers.
T-16. Rohit Sharma, $1.9 Million
Rohit is in the twilight years of his career, but he’s still an almighty threat at the top of the order. Kohli is the only player with more IPL runs.
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