The Indian Premier League has gone through a total of 18 seasons, and with each auction, the salaries of the best players are going up. In the past, a number of big names have signed lucrative contracts because of their winning potential, skills, and dedication to their teams.
The 2026 season is knocking at the door, and the highest earner list in IPL is a clear reflection of the value teams have of players who are consistent in their performances and stay long periods of time with the team.
Rohit Sharma is at the top of the list of all-time earners with ₹210.9 crore and just a little behind him is Virat Kohli with ₹209.2 crore. These two superstars have been the main players of their teams for over ten years, and their salaries are a sign of the faith and the stability they provide.
The other batsman who comes along and is at the third position with ₹192.84 crore is MS Dhoni who is a reminder of his glorious journey and the impact he has made with the Chennai Super Kings.
Ravindra Jadeja and Sunil Narine are the players who take the fifth position in the top list. They are both all-rounders, who are important to their respective teams CSK and KKR, and have contributed a lot to the teams’ victories. Suresh Raina, AB de Villiers, Gautam Gambhir, Shikhar Dhawan, and Dinesh Karthik are some of the top 10 players and this indicates the importance of experience and consistency in the IPL which is very strong.
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Here is the complete top 10 list of cumulative IPL salaries till 2026
| Rank | Player | Cumulative IPL Salary (₹ Crore) |
| 1 | Rohit Sharma | 210.9 |
| 2 | Virat Kohli | 209.2 |
| 3 | MS Dhoni | 192.84 |
| 4 | Ravindra Jadeja | 143.01 |
| 5 | Sunil Narine | 125.24 |
| 6 | Suresh Raina | 110.74 |
| 7 | AB de Villiers | 102.52 |
| 8 | Gautam Gambhir | 94.62 |
| 9 | Shikhar Dhawan | 91.8 |
| 10 | Dinesh Karthik | 86.92 |
The IPL has given out rewards to players who have shown consistency, loyalty, and long-term contribution through this list. Not only have the players on this list earned the highest salaries, but they have also been the best performers of the league at different times. The legacy of IPL’s highest earners will always be a major part of the tournament’s story, even though there will be new arrivals in the future.
Written By:- Manjunath S