As the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) gets underway, the spotlight isn’t just on the players with the bat and ball—it’s also on the men entrusted with leading their franchises. A graphic circulating ahead of IPL 2026 has revealed the annual salaries of all ten captains, offering a fascinating look at how teams value leadership in cricket’s most lucrative league. From established names who have commanded top rupee for years to young skippers who have risen through the ranks on modest pay packets, the list reflects the diverse paths to captaincy in the IPL.
Here is the complete breakdown of salaries of captains in IPL 2026:
Rishabh Pant leads the pack with ₹27 crore
The salary breakdown shows that Rishabh Pant, who took over the captaincy of Lucknow Super Giants ahead of IPL 2026, commands a staggering ₹27 crore – the highest among all captains this season. The wicketkeeper-batter’s massive pay packet reflects his stature as one of the most marketable and impactful players in Indian cricket. Having led Delhi Capitals (DC) in previous seasons, Pant now shoulders the responsibility of guiding a revamped Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) side that made several high-profile acquisitions at the auction.
Close on his heels is Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer, who earns ₹26.75 crore. Iyer, who led Punjab to the final in IPL 2025, was retained by the franchise as their undisputed leader. His salary places him just ₹25 lakh behind Pant, highlighting the premium franchises place on proven leadership and middle-order stability.
The ₹18 crore club: Ruturaj Gaikwad and Pat Cummins
Two captains find themselves in the ₹18 crore bracket. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, who took over the full-time captaincy from MS Dhoni in 2024, earns ₹18 crore. The stylish opener has been CSK’s batting mainstay and is seen as the long-term leader of the franchise.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) captain Pat Cummins, though set to miss the initial matches due to a back injury, also draws ₹18 crore. The Australian pace spearhead led SRH to the IPL 2024 final and remains the cornerstone of their bowling attack when fit.
Mid-tier captains: Shubman Gill, Axar Patel, Hardik Patel in ₹16 crore range
The next bracket features three captains clustered in the ₹16 crore range. Gujarat Titans (GT) captain Shubman Gill and Delhi Capitals skipper Axar Patel both earn ₹16.5 crore each. Gill, who has led GT since 2024, continues to be the franchise’s poster boy, while Axar took over DC’s leadership after Rishabh Pant’s departure last season.
Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya follows closely at ₹16.35 crore. The all-rounder, who returned to MI in 2024, has the task of adding a sixth title to the franchise’s illustrious history.
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Lower end of the spectrum: New and unexpected leaders
Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Riyan Parag, who stepped into the role after Sanju Samson’s trade to CSK, earns ₹11 crore. The young Assamese batter will be leading an RR side that recently changed ownership in a record-breaking deal.
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar also receives a pay check of ₹11 crore – a remarkable figure considering he led RCB to their maiden IPL title in 2025.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Ajinkya Rahane completes the list with an earning of ₹1.5 crore. The experienced batter took over KKR’s captaincy ahead of last season, tasked with leading the three-time champions.
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