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Blog · 05 Oct 2026

IPL 2027: These Players Could Earn More Than Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma

IPL 2027 Salary News: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma remain two of the biggest names in Indian Premier League history,

IPL 2027 Salary News: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma remain two of the biggest names in Indian Premier League history, but their star power does not necessarily make them the highest-paid players in the competition.

As the IPL 2027 season approaches, the salary race is already becoming a major talking point. Based on the current contracts and player movements, several stars could earn more than Rohit Sharma, while only a couple currently sit above Virat Kohli's salary.

The final rankings, however, will depend on the upcoming retention announcements and mini-auction.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's IPL Salaries

Virat Kohli earned ₹21 crore with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the previous IPL season. Rohit Sharma's Mumbai Indians contract was worth ₹16.30 crore.

That puts Kohli considerably higher than Rohit in the current salary structure.

However, the gap could change once franchises finalise their IPL 2027 squads.

The IPL's official player regulations for the 2025-27 cycle set the total salary cap at ₹157 crore for 2027, while players also receive a match fee of ₹7.5 lakh per game in addition to their contracted amount.

Shreyas Iyer Could Be IPL 2027's Highest-Paid Player

Shreyas Iyer – Punjab Kings – ₹26.75 Crore

Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer currently occupies the top position among the players highlighted in the salary race.

Iyer was acquired for ₹26.75 crore, making him one of the most expensive players in IPL history.

His leadership and batting performances have made him an important part of Punjab Kings' plans, and his current contract puts him ₹5.75 crore ahead of Virat Kohli.

If his contract remains unchanged for IPL 2027, Iyer would enter the season as the highest-paid player among the names currently being discussed.

Heinrich Klaasen Also Earns More Than Kohli

Heinrich Klaasen – Sunrisers Hyderabad – ₹23 Crore

South African wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen is another player currently earning more than Kohli.

Klaasen has a ₹23 crore contract with Sunrisers Hyderabad, reflecting his value as one of the most dangerous middle-order batters in T20 cricket.

His ability to attack spin and pace, particularly during the middle and death overs, has made him a highly valuable T20 player.

At ₹23 crore, Klaasen is currently ₹2 crore ahead of Kohli.

Nicholas Pooran Matches Virat Kohli

Nicholas Pooran – Lucknow Super Giants – ₹21 Crore

West Indies star Nicholas Pooran is another major name in the salary conversation.

Pooran's contract with Lucknow Super Giants is worth ₹21 crore, putting him level with Virat Kohli.

However, his position could change before IPL 2027 depending on the retention and auction decisions.

Pooran has established himself as one of the most destructive left-handed batters in T20 cricket and remains a major asset for LSG.

Rishabh Pant's Major Pay Cut Changes the Picture

One of the biggest developments ahead of IPL 2027 is Rishabh Pant's move from Lucknow Super Giants to Delhi Capitals.

Pant was the highest-paid player in IPL 2026 at ₹27 crore, but following his trade to Delhi Capitals, his reported IPL 2027 salary will be ₹15 crore.

That represents a significant ₹12 crore reduction.

Because of the pay cut, Pant will no longer be above Kohli in the current salary hierarchy.

His move has therefore opened the possibility of another player occupying the top spot for IPL 2027.

Current IPL 2027 Salary Race

Based on the currently reported figures, the salary picture looks like this:

Shreyas Iyer - ₹26.75 crore
Heinrich Klaasen - ₹23 crore
Virat Kohli - ₹21 crore
Nicholas Pooran - ₹21 crore
Rohit Sharma - ₹16.30 crore
Rishabh Pant - ₹15 crore

These figures represent the currently reported contract values and should not be treated as the final IPL 2027 salary list until the retention window and auction are completed.

Who Could Earn More Than Rohit Sharma?

The answer is much longer when Rohit Sharma's ₹16.30 crore salary is used as the benchmark.

Shreyas Iyer, Heinrich Klaasen, Virat Kohli and Nicholas Pooran are all currently above that figure.

Several other IPL stars have also commanded contracts in the ₹18 crore range or higher in the recent salary cycle, meaning the competition around the top earners could change significantly with the next auction.

Why IPL 2027 Salaries Could Change

The current figures are not necessarily the final numbers.

The IPL 2027 salary hierarchy will depend on several factors:

The IPL's 2025-27 regulations allow franchises to retain or use RTM on up to six players, subject to the prescribed capped and uncapped-player limits.

That means the salary landscape can change quickly once teams begin finalising their squads.

Virat Kohli Still Among IPL's Biggest Earners

Even if Kohli does not remain at the top of the salary table, his ₹21 crore contract underlines his enormous value to RCB.

Kohli remains one of the IPL's most recognisable players and has been associated with Royal Challengers Bengaluru throughout his IPL career.

His commercial value, fan following and performances ensure that he remains one of the league's biggest stars regardless of where he sits in the salary rankings.

Rohit Sharma's Salary Is Lower, But His Value Remains Huge

Rohit Sharma's reported ₹16.30 crore salary is lower than Kohli's, but that does not reflect his overall importance to Mumbai Indians.

The former India captain remains one of the most decorated players in IPL history and has played a central role in Mumbai Indians' success over the years.

His five IPL titles as captain remain a major part of his legacy.

Final Verdict: Who Could Be IPL 2027's Highest-Paid Player?

At present, Shreyas Iyer is the leading candidate to be the highest-paid player among the currently reported IPL 2027 contracts, with a salary of ₹26.75 crore.

Heinrich Klaasen follows at ₹23 crore, while Virat Kohli and Nicholas Pooran are at ₹21 crore.

Rohit Sharma is currently at ₹16.30 crore, while Rishabh Pant's move to Delhi Capitals has reduced his reported salary to ₹15 crore.

However, the IPL 2027 salary table is not final yet. The retention lists and mini-auction will ultimately determine which players occupy the top positions.

For now, one thing is clear: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma may be two of the biggest names in IPL history, but they are not guaranteed to be the highest-paid players in IPL 2027.

IPL 2027 Salary Race: Key Points

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