IPL Retention: Players Who Took The Biggest Pay Cuts

In the recently announced lists of retained players by the IPL franchise, we witnesses several surprises, including the release of some important players to the new salary of the retained players. Ravindra Jadeja, Rohit Sharma & Rishabh Pant were the highest earners, bagging 16 crores each. However, there were some star players who were handed a pay cut. To balance the purse for IPL Mega Auction and retain other players, these players took a cut in their IPL salary.

Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli in the 2021 season of the IPL was the highest-paid cricketer in the league with a salary of 17 crores. In the recent retention, RCB announced that the former captain has been retained for a sum of 15 crores; a 12% decrease from the last season.

MS Dhoni

Four-time IPL winning captain for Chennai Super Kings, Mahendra Singh Dhoni decided to be the second retention choice for the team and consequently, Ravindra Jadeja was the first pick for 16 crores. 'Captain Cool' MS Dhoni is retained for 12 crores, a 20% pay cut from his 2021 salary of 15 crores.

Glenn Maxwell

'Big Show' Glenn Maxwell had a fabulous season for Royal Challengers Bangalore, as he redeemed himself from a bad run with the Punjab & Delhi franchise. However, even after his good performance, he was handed a pay cut. Maxwell was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore for a staggering sum of 14.25 crores. Now, he is retained for 11 crores (23% decrease), perhaps to maintain a good amount in the RCB purse for the Mega Auction.

Sunil Narine

The mystery spinner from West Indies, Sunil Narine took the biggest pay cut as he was retained by Kolkata Knight Riders for 6 crores. Narine's 2021 salary was 8.50 crores but now he has been retained as the 4th retention choice; a 29% decrease from his IPL 2021 salary. Narine made his IPL debut for KKR in 2012 and has been an integral part of the team ever since.

After the conclusion of IPL Retention, the two new franchises - Lucknow (owned by RPSG group) and Ahmedabad (owned by CVC Capital) have a period of one month to buy 3 players who weren't retained. They have a purse of 33 crores to make these 3 purchases - 15 crores, 11 crores & 7 crores respectively.

In the first week of January, IPL 2022 Mega Auction would be held. IPL Officials have stated that this would be the last mega auction, as the teams now have to build their own players' ecosystem.

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