With a notable cricketing pedigree and a flexible board, Australia has been one of the principal beneficiaries of the overseas quota in IPL. As of IPL 2021, the overall earnings of all Aussies combined was more than a whopping amount of INR 900 crores. The sum was the cumulative earnings by 94 Australian cricketers who have participated in IPL. This was second only to, of course, the host nation India. On that note, let’s take a look at the highest-paid Australian cricketers in IPL history.
5) Pat Cummins – INR 37.5
Teams represented in IPL – Delhi Daredevils, Mumbai Indians, and Kolkata Knight Riders
Pat Cummins is the No.1 Test bowler at the moment and is also the leading pacer for his country in T20Is. In the IPL 2020 Auctions, KKR paid a sum of INR 15.5 Cr to hire his services. At that time, it was the highest sum paid to an overseas pacer at the auctions.
Since KKR retained him for IPL 2021, as well, the chunk of the pacer’s earnings in IPL has come in recent seasons. Interestingly, Cummins’ first IPL franchise was also KKR, but at that time, he was on the payroll for just INR 1 Cr.
4) Steve Smith – INR 47.82 Cr
Teams represented in IPL – Royal Challengers Bangalore, Pune Warriors India, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Rajasthan Royals, Rising Pune Supergiant and Delhi Capitals
Steve Smith has been in the IPL since the third edition. His first team was RCB, who had signed him for INR 13.88 lakhs. Since then, the right-handed batsman has represented teams such as Pune Warriors, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Rajasthan Royals, Rising Pune Supergiant. He is currently plying his trade at the Delhi Capitals.
Although he has not dominated any season with the bat, in 2017, Steve Smith showcased his captaincy skills by taking RPS to the finals. Hence, Rajasthan retained him for INR 12.5 Cr for the next two seasons, which led to an increase in the overall earnings. In the recent IPL 2021 Auctions, Delhi hired him for just INR 2.2 Cr, a small rise over his base price.
3) Glenn Maxwell – INR 63.4 Cr
Teams represented in IPL – Delhi Daredevils, Mumbai Indians, Kings XI Punjab and Royal Challengers Bangalore
Glenn Maxwell has been active in IPL only since 2012, and yet, the all-rounder is one of the highest-paid Australian cricketers in IPL history. To put into perspective the enormous rise of his salary in recent years, Maxi’s first stint at IPL with Delhi had earned him only INR 10 lakhs.
The Aussie’s reputation as a hard-hitter and the phenomenal 2014 season where he was the Player of the Series have been the main reasons for his enormous pay package in IPL. Despite not doing well for Delhi and Punjab, Maxi earned a bid of INR 14.25 Cr by RCB at IPL 2021 Auctions.
2) David Warner – INR 71 Cr
Teams represented in IPL – Delhi Daredevils and Sunrisers Hyderabad
David Warner has been Mr Consistent in IPL over the last few years. While he has led Sunrisers Hyderabad once as a captain, the destructive opener has won the Orange Cap on three occasions.
The Delhi-outfit signed Warner as an uncapped player for the 2009 edition. While his first pay-cheque in IPL was worth only INR 14.73 lakhs, the amount gradually rose to INR 3.99 cr by the time he left Delhi in IPL 2013. Since then, he has been with SRH, earning INR 5.5 Cr in the initial stints and INR 12.5 Cr in the recent editions. Warner missed the 2018 edition due to his involvement in the sandpaper gate controversy.
1) Shane Watson – INR 77.13 Cr
Teams represented in IPL – Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings
Shane Watson stands at the top of this list of highest-paid Australian cricketers in IPL history. The all-rounder was part of the tournament from season 1 to IPL 2020, after which he announced retirement. In all, the Aussie all-rounder has won two trophies, one with Rajasthan Royals in 2008 and next, a decade later in 2018 as a CSK player.
While he was the Player of the Tournament in 2008, Watto was the M.O.M in the final of IPL 2018. In a stiff chase in the 2018 final, although he started on a horrible note, the opener turned the tide with a dominant hundred. To talk about his earnings, Watson started with a salary of INR 50 lakhs in the first edition. The amount then increased until his highest-earning of INR 12.5 Cr, which he got when Rajasthan retained him in 2014 and 2015. Two seasons with RCB at INR 9.5 Cr and three editions with CSK at INR 4 Cr completed his IPL journey.
