With an income of over Rs 137 crore from the T20 league, Dhoni has emerged as the highest-paid player in IPL. As per Inside Sports Money Ball, the Chennai Super Kings captain has earned over Rs 137 crore by playing IPL. This doesn’t include the cash prize and other rewards – like Player of the Match awards, etc.
MS Dhoni remains a top draw, he mostly remained in the top bracket in BCCI’s central contract list and is still the first name on the team sheet when it comes to IPL.
With a title victory in 2010 and an IPL final in 2008, Dhoni became the marquee captain in first three seasons of IPL. Courtesy his success, his popularity grew leaps and bounds and he is now the highest-paid player in the history of the league.
As per the report, Dhoni continued to earn the same amount in IPL 2009 and 2010 that he earned in IPL 2008. From IPL 2011 to 2013, he earned nearly Rs 8.2 crore. In 2014, the BCCI raised the first-choice retention fees to 12.5 crore.
Ahead of IPL 2018, the BCCI increased the first-choice retention price to Rs 15 crore. Hence, Dhoni has earned Rs 45 crore in the past three seasons. In total, he has earned over Rs 137 crore and this does not include the prize money and other cash rewards.
Rohit Sharma ahead of Virat Kohli
Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma follows Dhoni on the list. He earned Rs 3 crore during his time at Deccan Chargers – from 2008 to 2010. From 2011 to 2013, he earned Rs 9.2 crore at Mumbai Indians every year. Since he was the captain, Rohit became the first-choice retention player in IPL 2014. Since then, he has been matching Dhoni’s amount every year. In total, he has earned over Rs 131 crore.
The highest-paid player in a single IPL season, Virat Kohli comes next with an income of over Rs 126 crore. The reason behind him sitting at third spot is his price in the first three seasons. Back in 2008, Kohli was uncapped and was picked by Royal Challengers Bangalore at Rs 12 lakhs. He received the same amount in IPL 2009 and 2010.
