(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
IPL Team Offered Australian Stars $10 Million to Quit International Cricket
Oct 8, 2025
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is no stranger to big-money deals, but recent reports reveal just how far some franchises are willing to go to lure top international players.
According to Australian media, an IPL franchise approached Pat Cummins and Travis Head earlier this year during the IPL season, offering each player a staggering $10 million to leave international cricket and commit full-time to franchise leagues.
Despite the enormous financial incentive, both players declined the offer, reaffirming that representing Australia on the international stage remains their top priority.
This revelation comes amid discussions about the potential privatization of Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) and growing concerns over Cricket Australia’s financial exposure. The IPL’s global influence, fueled by wealthy franchise owners, has increasingly shaped players’ career choices.
Cummins, Australia’s star pacer and captain, earns around $3 million annually, including his leadership allowance, while Head receives approximately $1.5 million under his central contract. Their refusal to abandon national duty highlights the enduring value players place on patriotism over paycheck.
Although the IPL franchise behind the approach hasn’t been officially named, media speculation points toward Sunrisers Hyderabad, given that both Cummins and Head play for the team and the franchise’s connections with other global leagues, including South Africa’s SA20 and England’s The Hundred.
This isn’t the first instance of such offers. In 2023, England fast bowler Jofra Archer reportedly rejected $7.5 million to remain available for international duty. Meanwhile, other players have chosen to retire from international cricket to pursue lucrative franchise careers worldwide.
Experts say the trend may continue, with players like Heinrich Klaasen and Nicholas Pooran prioritizing franchise cricket over national representation. Yet, Cummins and Head’s decision sends a clear message: national pride still outweighs financial incentives, even in an era dominated by high-paying leagues.
