Top 10 highest-paid cricketers by national contracts

National central contracts in cricket provide players with steady financial stability and compensation based on their status and performance. These retainers differ significantly between nations depending on the board revenues and cricketing calendars. 

Top ten cricket players based on income from their respective national boards are ranked below. These consist of yearly retainer payments as well as bonuses or match fees based on performance. However, the ranking does not take franchise revenue or sponsorships into account.

Here are top 10 highest-paid cricketers by national contracts:

10. Babar Azam (Pakistan)

Babar Azam is among the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) centrally contracted Grade A players. He makes PKR 4.5 million a month as of 2024-2025, which adds up to PKR 54 million a year, or roughly USD 190,000. Additionally, he makes PKR 838,530 for Tests, PKR 515,696 for ODIs, and PKR 372,075 for T20Is are match costs offered by PCB.

Babar’s total yearly income from the PCB, including bonuses and match appearances, can be close to USD 375,000. Despite PCB’s generally low pay range, these numbers put him among the highest-paid employees in the subcontinent’s central contracts system.

9. Kagiso Rabada (South Africa)

Top male cricket players are paid between USD 200,000 and 275,000 per year by Cricket South Africa (CSA). Star bowler Kagiso Rabada earns A match fee of roughly ZAR 150,000 for Test matches, ZAR 60,000 for ODIs, and ZAR 40,000 for T20Is. Rabada makes about USD 375,000 every year depending on participation. Despite CSA’s financial difficulties, their elite players are paid highly for being available in all formats.

8. Kane Williamson (New Zealand)

The top 20 players in New Zealand Cricket (NZC) are given central contracts. As a senior and multi-format mainstay, Kane Williamson‘s central retainer brings in around NZD 500,000 (USD 310,000 approx.). Each Test pays around NZD 9,000, each ODI around NZD 4,000, and each T20I around NZD 2,500.

With these match fees and extra bonuses included, Williamson’s annual payout from NZC may total up to USD 350,000. Despite being low by international standards, it is still the highest among cricket players under contract in New Zealand. However, it is worthy to mention that Williamson has declined a central contract in 2025 to ensure his availability in franchise-based leagues across the world.

7. Ben Stokes (England)

Ben Stokes is a member of the multi-format central contracts group of the England and Wales Cricket Board. The yearly value of these contracts ranges from £850,000 to £1 million (USD 1.1 to 1.3 million approx.). Along with performance bonuses, the ECB also offers match fees of £15,000 for each Test, £7,500 for each ODI, and £3,500 for each T20I.

Depending on availability, Stokes’ total ECB revenues could surpass USD 1.25 million annually. His position as England’s Test captain and regular white-ball player earns him one of the highest retainers in the world of cricket.

6. Pat Cummins (Australia)

Cricket Australia’s central contracts are determined by player rankings across all formats. According to reports, Pat Cummins, the Test and ODI captain and top-ranked fast bowler, makes AUD 2 million (USD 1.35 million approx.) a year. This covers match payments in addition to a base retainer of about AUD 1.5 million.

 

In Australia, the match fees are AUD 8,000 for T20I, AUD 10,000 for ODI, and AUD 20,000 for Test matches. Cummins is the highest-paid Australian through national contracts, with a board-based salary that exceeds USD 1.5 million yearly when full participation is in place.

5. Joe Root (England)

The expected retainer for Joe Root, another centrally contracted player by the ECB, is £950,000 (USD 1.2 million approx.). This is in recognition of his status as a former Test captain and all-format player. He also regularly receives match fees and bonuses based on appearances and performance.

Root receives more than USD 1.3 million from the ECB alone, as he plays in the majority of games each year. He continues to rank among the top-paid players in the centrally contracted English cricket system.

4. Ravindra Jadeja (India)

Ravindra Jadeja is in the BCCI’s premium A+ contract category, which offers a yearly retainer of INR 7 crore (USD 820,000 approx.). In addition, the players in this group get match fees of INR 15 lakh for each Test, INR 6 lakh for each ODI, and INR 3 lakh for each T20I.

With his frequent appearances in various forms taken into account, Jadeja’s yearly salary from the BCCI ranges around INR 9–10 crore (USD 1.1–1.2 million approx.). His status as one of India’s top earners is justified by his steady contributions with bat and ball in all formats.

3. Jasprit Bumrah (India)

India’s pace spearhead across formats, Jasprit Bumrah, is in the A+ grade in BCCI central contracts and makes INR 7 crore (USD 820,000 approx.) a year. In addition, there are match fees of INR 15 lakh for each Test, INR 6 lakh for each ODI, and INR 3 lakh for each T20I.

Bumrah’s yearly BCCI salary could surpass INR 10 crore (USD 1.2 million) with his comeback to regular Test cricket and his pivotal role in India’s white-ball teams. Top players like him are rewarded and financially secure thanks to the board’s systematic grading.

2. Rohit Sharma (India)

Rohit Sharma, the captain of India’s ODI team, has an annual BCCI A+ central contract for INR 7 crore (about USD 820,000). The regular match fees are INR 15 lakh for Test matches, INR 6 lakh for ODIs, and INR 3 lakh for T20Is. His match fees will be revised in the next cycle, as Rohit retired from T20Is and Tests.

With his constant presence and leadership, Rohit receives about INR 10 crore (USD 1.2 million) from the BCCI annually, which includes match payments. He continues to rank among the top earners from India’s national board because of his reputation and contributions.

1. Virat Kohli

One of the most famous cricket players in India, Virat Kohli, is likewise in the A+ category of the BCCI’s central contracts. His base pay is INR 7 crore (about USD 820,000), and his match payments are INR 15 lakh for Test matches, INR 6 lakh for ODI matches, and INR 3 lakh for T20I matches.

Despite retirements from T20Is and Tests, Kohli still receives between INR 9 to 10 crore (USD 1.1 and 1.2 million approx.) a year from the BCCI. Despite sporadic appearances, his senior player status guarantees consistent earning from the central contract.