IPL 2026: Record Salaries of Captains Revealed

The IPL 2026 season has commenced, and the spotlight is on the record-breaking salaries of the captains. Rishabh Pant leads the pack with a staggering ₹27 crore contract, making him the highest-paid captain in IPL history. Following closely is Shreyas Iyer of Punjab Kings, earning ₹26.75 crore. This article delves into the earnings of all captains, revealing how they stack up against each other in this thrilling cricket league. Stay tuned to find out more about the financial dynamics of IPL 2026.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 7, 2026, 10:19 IST

IPL 2026 Captain Salaries Overview

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 kicked off on March 28, and by Monday, April 6, a total of 12 matches had already taken place. As this thrilling season unfolds, discussions surrounding player salaries, particularly those of the captains, have intensified. This year's auction, retention, and appointments have shattered several previous records regarding captain fees.

Rishabh Pant has etched his name in history as the most expensive captain of IPL 2026, having been signed by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for a staggering ₹27 crore. Not only is Pant the highest-paid captain this season, but he also holds the title of the most expensive player and captain in IPL history.

Who follows Pant in the earnings race?
Shreyas Iyer, captain of the Punjab Kings, ranks second on this salary list, commanding a hefty ₹26.75 crore. He proved his worth last season by leading Punjab to the finals. So far, his team has won 2 out of 3 matches, with one match being abandoned due to rain.

Who else is in the top ranks?
Ruturaj Gaikwad, the young captain of Chennai Super Kings, stands third with a salary of ₹18 crore. The Gujarat Titans have shown their confidence in captain Shubman Gill by offering him ₹16.50 crore, the same amount received by Axar Patel, captain of Delhi Capitals. Hardik Pandya, leading the Mumbai Indians, earns ₹16.35 crore.

Here’s a look at the salaries of the main captains in IPL 2026:
Team
Captain
Salary (in crore rupees)
Lucknow Super Giants
Rishabh Pant
27.00
Punjab Kings
Shreyas Iyer
26.75
Chennai Super Kings
Ruturaj Gaikwad
18.00
Gujarat Titans
Shubman Gill
16.50
Delhi Capitals
Axar Patel
16.50
Mumbai Indians
Hardik Pandya
16.35
Rajasthan Royals
Riyan Parag
14.00
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Ishan Kishan
11.25
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Rajat Patidar
11.00
Kolkata Knight Riders
Ajinkya Rahane
1.50