Harbhajan Singh and Sunil Narine only bowlers in IPL's 50 Crore plus salary cap

Indian Premier League ever since its inception has been known as one of the most cash-rich leagues in the world of sports. A league that boasts to feature the best in the business has attained a reputation of giving value to the talent in terms of money. As we enter into the second decade of this extravagant T-20 season, there have been many players who have pocketed money in excess of INR 50 crores in the seasons so far.

IPL, despite glamour, star-studded opening ceremonies, nail-biting finishes, has been successful in garnering the interest of viewers on the basis of million-dollar deals fetched by players season after season. Big marketing, sponsorship, and media rights deals play a huge role in invoking such huge bids for the players from their respective franchise.

Only two spinners in the 50+ crore salary cap

As per InsideSport’s MONEYBALL – professional players’ salary calculator, there happen to be only two spinners in IPL’s 50 crore club. The players who have earned more than 50 crores in the IPL history include 17 names, with 13 batsmen, two genuine all-rounders, and only two bowlers. A salary calculation of 694 players who have been given an IPL contract till date has been made, and strangely the list doesn’t feature any of the fast bowlers who have mustered in excess of 50 crores.

When many believed that this fast-paced format which won’t be suitable for a spin, now reckon the slower bowler as the biggest asset for any T20 side. Spin bowlers have been a valuable addition to any side but the world’ s biggest league hasn’t valued their role enough as only Harbhajan Singh and Sunil Narine – are the only spinners to feature in IPL’s 50 crore club.

The top 50 list includes 11 players from India, 3 from the West-Indies, 2 from South Africa and one player from Australia. The Indian Players included in the list are MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma – the only two to have aggregated over ₹ 100 core in IPL salaries, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Robin Uthappa, Shikhar Dhawan, Ravindra Jadeja, Dinesh Karthik and Harbhajan Singh.

AB De Villiers – highest earning overseas player

The riches of IPL has attracted players across the globe and the history is a evidence in how the league has shaped the careers for many in terms of money and their rise at the international level. Even the overseas player in the list that includes Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Chris Gayle from West Indies; David Miller and AB de Villiers from South Africa; and Australian all-rounder Shane Watson, have been some of the huge beneficiaries. Though, Ab de Villiers is the highest earning foreigner in IPL with ₹69.5 crores total salary till date.

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