Top 10 Highest-Paid Cricketers 2021

Cricket is certainly one of the most popular sports worldwide as spectators come in large numbers to cheer their favourite team and player. The spectacular shots with the willow are a sight to behold, while fans also like to see the ball doing the talking. Not to forget about the jaw-dropping catches and sensational run-outs. All these factors make the gentleman’s game intriguing and hence, people love to see the action over the 22 yards.

With cricket having such massive popularity, many nations have tons of aspiring cricketers. However, only the extraordinary ones play at the highest level and earn global recognition. The fame and success also enhance the bank balance of these cricket stars. A renowned cricketer has multiple sources of income like salaries from the national board, franchise cricket, brand endorsements, etc.

Owing to this, there are many global cricket stars possessing hefty bank balances. However, who are some of the highest-paid cricketers going around? We’ll find out that in the list below.

Take a look at the top 10 highest-paid cricketers at the moment

10. Suresh Raina

The 2011 World Cup winner is one of the finest southpaws to have played for India. Despite restrictions in his technical abilities, the dasher could find a way to score runs at a brilliant pace. While his cover drives and lofted shots left many fans in awe, Suresh Raina is also very well capable of sending the ball in the night sky.

However, Raina’s contribution to his team is beyond scoring runs. The veteran can chip in with his handy off-breaks and his ability to create magic on the field makes him an even greater asset. All these abilities helped the left-handed batsman to amass nearly 8000 runs in 322 international matches.

Although the talismanic cricketer is now retired from international cricket, he continues to ply his trade for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL). As per Sportsnile, the ‘Chinna Thala’ bags a staggering amount of INR 22.34 crore per year.

9. Pat Cummins

Arguably the finest fast bowler going around, Pat Cummins has been a hot property in the cricket world for a while. Australia certainly have a knack for producing world-class speedsters. However, there haven’t been much better than Cummins. The right-arm fast bowler can swing the ball both ways and that too at a brisk pace.

Delivering vicious bouncers and toe-crushing yorkers isn’t beyond his reach either. Owing to these abilities, Cummins has been spearheading Australia’s bowling attack for a while. He, in fact, has been holding the numero uno position in the ICC Test bowling ranking for the last 2.5 years. This speaks volumes of his consistency.

Moreover, the Aussie star is also a more than handy batsman lower down the order. All this makes Cummins a captain’s delight. The fast bowler earns around INR 22.40 crore per annum.

8. AB de Villiers

Although it has been over three years since AB de Villiers retired from international cricket, the former South African skipper is still one of the last batters a bowler would like to face. Be it playing an anchor knock or smashing bowlers for fun in the crunch overs, the dasher has delivered in most situations and gathered runs worldwide.

He, in fact, also holds the record of smashing the fastest 50, 100, and 150 in One-Day Internationals. Now, this is some record! While many batters going around have expertise in playing scoops and ramps, De Villiers is in a different league altogether. He literally can smash any ball at the area of his will.

Due to the same, fans fondly call him ‘Mr. 360.’ Which team will not want a player of this caliber? Owing to this, the Proteas talisman earns a staggering INR 22.50 crore per year. At 37, the dasher certainly hasn’t lost his sheen and it would be interesting to see how far he goes.

7. Jasprit Bumrah

In Jasprit Bumrah, we welcome another speedster on this list. The right-arm fast bowler has been spearheading India’s pace attack ever since making his international debut in January 2016. Jasprit Bumrah can clock good speeds and the bucket of variations in his armoury makes him even more lethal.

However, what really sets Bumrah apart from others is his unique action.  The fast bowler has a swinging-arm release which adds spice to his thunderbolts. Many reckoned that the Ahmedabad-born cricketer can only survive in white-ball cricket with such action. However, defying the odds is what champion players do.

To date, Bumrah has Test five-wicket hauls in West Indies, Australia, England, and South Africa. A player possessing such skills is certain to earn big bucks. As of 2021, the Mumbai Indians pacer’s annual salary is around INR 31.65 crore.

6. Steve Smith

Former Australian captain Steve Smith is also one of the most celebrated cricketers at the moment. Starting his career as a leg-spinner, many touted him to be Shane Warne’s successor. However, he turned out to be Ricky Ponting’s. Smith’s evolution from a bits and pieces cricketer to the mainstay of the Aussie batting line-up is nothing but inspiring.

Although his batting style might still resemble that of a tail-ender, Smith is mightily effective with the bat in hand. The right-handed batter’s unorthodox technique frustrates bowlers and his ability to play shots all over the park makes him an even greater asset. If someone is a fan of stats, Smith is the fastest to reach the landmark of 7000 Test runs.

Speaking of his prowess in white-ball cricket, Smith has two 62-ball centuries in ODI cricket. All these abilities make Smith feature in this list. As per Sportsnile, the former Aussie skipper earns a massive INR 55.86 crore annually.

5. Hardik Pandya

Pandya’s international debut in 2016 somewhat ended India’s quest for a quality fast-bowling all-rounder. This superstar from Baroda can give the ball a real whack and many potent bowlers have become victims of his brilliance. Smashing hat-trick of sixes is some of the many things Hardik Pandya is known for. The dasher has now been evolved into a calculated finisher which is not a great piece of news for bowlers.

Apart from this, Pandya is also a more than handy right-arm pacer. He might not see but the fast bowler can indeed clock good speeds and his natural out-swingers have challenged many batters. With time, the youngster has also learned several variations to enhance his effectiveness.

If that’s not enough, Pandya is literally a live wire on the field, and making unbelievable fielding efforts look east has become a part of his day-to-day job.  Coming to his annual salary, the Mumbai Indians star earns around INR 59.59 crore per year.

4. Ben Stokes

From one star all-rounder, we go to another as we welcome Ben Stokes on this list. The southpaw’s cricket journey is indeed a perfect recipe for a Hollywood blockbuster. Stokes’ all-round abilities didn’t take him long to earn global recognition. However, the dasher’s aggressive behavior came under the scanner on many occasions.

Furthermore, failing to defend 19 runs in the final of the 2016 T20 World Cup earned him massive criticism. However, this didn’t dent Stokes’ confidence as he emerged as a world-beater. With one magnificent performance after another, Stokes guided England and his franchise teams to many sensational wins.

It also wouldn’t be too wrong to say that Stokes is arguably the most valuable cricketer going around. His bank balance is also hefty due to the same. Speaking of his annual income, Stokes takes away around INR 60 crore with his brilliance.

3. Rohit Sharma

Fondly Known as Hitman, Rohit Sharma is arguably the best opener at the moment and his record across formats speaks volumes of his prowess. The Nagpur-born batter wasn’t an opener from his childhood days but instead was made on. He started opening for India since the 2013 Champions Trophy and what happened next is hidden from none.

Batting at the top-order brought the best out of Rohit Sharma as the dasher played one staggering knock after another. The batsman whose temperament was questioned now became popular for scoring daddy hundreds. In fact, he is the only player to date to smash three ODI double centuries and four T20I centuries.

Leadership is also a significant aspect of Rohit’s prowess. With five titles in the bag, the Mumbai Indians star is the most successful IPL captain. Away from cricket, Rohit is also known to enjoy a luxurious lifestyle all thanks to his annual income of INR 74.49 crore.

2. MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni bid adieu to international cricket after the 2019 World Cup but this doesn’t stop him from bagging money for his prowess. The talismanic wicketkeeper-batsman is arguably the greatest Indian cricketer ever and his record speaks volumes of his prowess. Dhoni has tormented many potent bowlers with his massive hits and his précised glovework never allows batters to breathe easy.

However, it’s his sharp cricket brain that sets him apart from his contemporaries. Dhoni’s cool and calm mind helps him in taking perfect on-field decisions. On many occasions, in fact, the wicket-keeper took such decisions which initially raised eyebrows but eventually proved to be spot on.

A player of this caliber is as precious as anything. Speaking of his salary, the Chennai Super Kings captain earns a whopping INR 108.28 crore per year. Aging 40, it would be interesting to see how far he goes.

1. Virat Kohli

Now, this was as obvious as daylight! The poster boy of world cricket, Virat Kohli had to top this list. It has been nearly 13 years since Kohli made his debut in international cricket but his end is not anyway near. The right-handed batsman has piled up a mountain of runs so far, and his knack of making and breaking records has given nightmares to many bowling line-ups.

Making his debut in August 2008, Kohli didn’t take long in cementing his place in the national team. Many had backed him to achieve great heights but what Kohli went onto attained was certainly beyond expectations. The more he scores, the more his appetite to score more increases. This inspired the Delhi-born cricket to rewrite the record books.

At 32, Kohli has 70 international centuries under his belt. He’s also the front-runner to break Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 100 international tons. Needless to say, his prowess over the 22 yards earned Kohli billions. As of 2021, the Indian skipper is paid around INR 208.56 crore per year.