The IPL 2025 mega auction has made waves in Indian cricket, with Rishabh Pant emerging as the new highest-paid Indian cricketer. Bought by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for a staggering INR 27 crore, Pant has surpassed Virat Kohli, who now earns INR 28 crore annually. Shreyas Iyer and Venkatesh Iyer also bagged impressive deals, securing INR 26.75 crore and INR 23.75 crore, respectively.

Pant’s total annual earnings from cricket now stand at INR 32 crore. This includes his INR 27 crore from the IPL and INR 5 crore from his A-category BCCI central contract. In comparison, Kohli earns INR 28 crore annually, thanks to his INR 21 crore from the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and INR 7 crore from his top-tier BCCI contract.

However, the earnings race might shift in the coming months. Pant could see his income grow if the BCCI promotes him to the A+ category, given his key role in India's plans across all formats. This would only widen the gap between him and Kohli. Meanwhile, Kohli could face a salary cut if he’s dropped from India’s T20 squad and moved to the A category, leading to a decrease in his BCCI contract.

Although Shreyas Iyer and Venkatesh Iyer have earned big IPL contracts, they aren't yet part of the BCCI central contracts. Shreyas, however, could see his earnings rise if he makes a comeback to the Indian team, possibly securing a central contract in the future.

Overall, the IPL's growing financial influence has shifted how Indian cricketers earn, with players like Pant now leading the charge in cricketing incomes. This shift reflects the changing dynamics of the sport, where the IPL plays an ever-growing role in shaping player salaries.