Summary: This instructional guide provides details on the amount of money players make in the Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia. It mentions the BBL highest paid player 2025, BBLÂ players salary in rupees, new salary cap, and the amount that the overseas players, such as Babar Azam, earn in Indian rupees. You will also know answers to all key questions about BBL salaries, including how much BBL players earn and who earns the most in the league.
The Big Bash League has lagged behind in the battle to deliver large money to the best cricket players in the world over the past several years. But that changed in 2023 when Cricket Australia (CA) raised its salary cap from AUD 1.9 million to just over AUD 3 million.
While the cricketers will quite clearly make a lot of money during this BBL cricket season, there is a way for you to do the same, thanks to Parimatch.
Babar Azam is now leading the list of BBL highest paid player 2025. His earnings surged dramatically when Cricket Australia expanded the Big Bash League in terms of spending capacity. The salary limit increased to over AUD 3 million and more, as compared to approximately AUD 1.9 million, and allowed BBL teams to attract high-valued foreign players.
The league is interested in competing with large franchise tournaments, particularly the Indian Premier League, in which the best players are offered huge contracts. In response to the competition, BBL teams now receive more team budgets, two marquee signings beyond the limit, superior deals on overseas draft selections, and extra adaptability on match fees and bonuses.
Thanks to these changes, stars like Babar Azam, David Warner, and other consistent performers can earn more than ever before and become Big Bash League 2025 most expensive player.
Table of Contents
Who is the most expensive BBL player 2025?
BBL most expensive player 2025 today is Babar Azam. His deal places him above both international and domestic players. His global influence, batting records, and strong brand value make him the top target for teams like the Adelaide Strikers, Sydney Thunder, and Perth Scorchers.
His signing also increases sponsorships, ticket sales, and audience interest—key reasons BBL teams are willing to offer more money to marquee overseas players. So, he is definitely the most expensive player in BBL 2025 in rupees.
Who is the Highest Paid Player in BBL 2025?
While the Australia’s Big Bash League can arguably be regarded as the largest of the T20 franchise leagues this side of the Indian Premier League, its pay packets over the past decade have struggled to keep pace with its competitors. In fact, just last season, top talent leaving the BBL for other more lucrative options in the UAE and South Africa was a common sight.
The pay disparity wasn’t a sudden realisation within the Australian board. The pay for highest paid players was boosted last season as well, which paid instant dividends and forced world-class Aussies such as David Warner to end his BBL drought for an entire decade. Pretty much the same was the case with Steven Smith as well.
However, an overall overhaul was needed too, so the BBL got a much-needed cash injection, with its salary cap going up and the international players in the draft getting 23.5pc more than last season. Their salary for the 2023-24 season now stands at $277,000, which still pales compared to the $400,000 that some of the newer entrants have been offering to top talent.
While the overall BBL player salary cap, as explained above, has been set at AUD 3m, the league has given all the teams permission to sign two more players outside of this salary cap. That pair of signings are called “marquee players”, and the CA has made this exception in order to attract more world-class talent, which in turn would boost the BBL’s popularity.
Of course, this sort of permission is nothing new. It has been around since the very first BBL season, and it is the primary reason why some of the biggest overseas stars, such as Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers, have played in this league in the past. The marquee players’ exception has, however, caught flak, and it remains to be seen if the rule will survive in the long run.
In any case, it is here for the time being, and this rule is why the highest paid player in BBL this season is making close to half a million dollars.
Highest paid BBL player — Pat Cummins
Australia’s World Cup winning captain is an all-format pace asset and consistent performer who can walk into any side of the world. He hasn’t played in the BBL for a while now, but since he can potentially earn as much as half a million dollars (₹ 2.3m), this will be an excellent point to return to the home league and become one of the highest paid BBL players.
As evident this year, making BBL financially competitive has been high on Cricket Australia’s Big Bash League agenda. Hence, it might make a more significant effort to enable him to participate in the league at some point.
If he plays, he can potentially become the highest paid player in BBL history.
Highest paid BBL player— David Warner
David Warner is a part of Australia’s Test side currently hosting Pakistan in a three-match Test series. Thus, he will end up missing a large part of the BBL season. However, he can, in theory, at least play half the tournament — including the business end of the season — in January.
The ongoing series is also the last of his career as a Test player, as he will be retiring from red-ball format after the Pakistan series. Hence, when he is back in the Big Bash League, he could be more accessible than ever and more explosive than ever — potentially.
When he plays in the BBL teams, he will earn as BBL most expensive player in rupees a staggering ₹ 19.5 million.
The highest paid player in Big Bash League — Jos Buttler
Jos Buttler is coming off of a disastrous World Cup campaign, but that was in the ODI format and difficult Indian conditions. Now that he is back in his beloved T20 format, he can be relied upon to deliver the good yet again.
As an overseas star, it is not yet guaranteed that he will play, but if he does, he will make a BBL player salary during the season 2023-24 of ₹ 16.7m as one of the BBL most expensive player in Indian rupees.
Buttler has previously played in the BBL — for the Renegades in the 2013/14 season and Sydney Thunder in the 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons.
BBL highest-paid player— Glenn Maxwell
After what he did against Afghanistan during the ODI World Cup, Glenn Maxwell’s stock was bound to go up, and it has. As he is nicknamed, the Big Show is on the books of Melbourne Stars, who have earmarked ₹ 15.6m for him for the 2023-24 BBL season.
Maxwell averages a pretty decent 29.54 with the bat in T20I cricket, but his real value is reflected in his astonishing strike rate of 153.09. That number is why the Stars, and most other T20 franchises worldwide, value him so greatly.
BBL highest-paid player in rupees at number 5 — Aaron Finch
Former Australian T20 captain Aaron Finch retired from all forms of cricket earlier this year but he is still active in Big Bash League, still raking in big sums, and is BBL highest price player.
The 37-year-old is on the books of Melbourne Renegades BBL Team as a middle-order batter — in addition to doing his commentating jobs throughout the year.
If he is available to play the entire season for the Renegades, which he will, he stands to see his bank account credited by an excellent ₹ 15m. Not bad for a guy who does not play at the highest level anymore.
BBL highest-paid player in Indian rupees — Kieron Pollard and Mitchell Starc
Kieron Pollard is to T20 cricket what perhaps the willow is to cricket in general. He is a mainstay in 20-over franchise cricket, and without him, it is difficult to imagine a vibrant, six-laden league.
Not only is he a big hitter down the order and can provide leadership when needed, but he is also an excellent fielder and carries a confident swagger that is a must in sides built to win championships.
The Trinidadian has previously played for South Australia and Adelaide Strikers, and if he shows up for this season as well at some point, he stands to earn almost ₹ 14m.
Similarly, Aussie ace pace Mitchell Starc, despite being on this side of 30 now, is still a valuable asset for any franchise. He is another one of those in-demand internationals who do not play BBL often, but if he were to walk into the league at any time this season, he could earn the same amount as Pollard.
Highest paid BBL player— Kane Williamson
Kane Williamson has never played in the Big Bash League but that might change this season, especially when he stands to earn as much as ₹ 12.3m this season. He has been struggling with injuries lately, which might jeopardise his chances, but if he does play, a little over ₹ 12m is nothing to be scoffed at for a month of cricket.
The Kiwi legend boasts an international T20I average of 33.29 at a decent strike rate of 123.01, which makes him a traditional anchor — a role that is on the decline in modern cricket but Williamson can still be useful to any BBL side, thanks to his batting versatility as well as leadership skills.
How much do BBL players get paid?
Domestically based players are likely to receive both AUD 30,000 and AUD 200,000, depending on ranking and position. The Platinum category can pay overseas draft picks up to AUD 277,000. However, the largest salaries are now available on outside-cap marquee contracts, which are far more flexible.
The new system of salaries offered by Cricket Australia comprises:
- Australian contracted players
- Regular domestic players
- Overseas draft players (Platinum to Bronze categories)
- Marquee signings outside the salary cap
These changes assist BBL to compete with other franchise leagues and draw players who would have preferred to play in leagues that paid more.
Who is the highest paid BBL player 2025?
Babar Azam is the highest paid BBL 2025 player. His contract is the best in the league, and this earns him the highest pay among the overseas and local talent. His influence is not so much on the field but on the commercial value of the league.
Perth Scorchers, Sydney Thunder, and Adelaide Strikers teams have gone as far as to spend to compete with the BBL 2025 highest paid player rankings. The signing of Babar has established a new benchmark in the Big Bash League with regards to salary expectations.
What is the salary of Babar Azam in BBL in Indian rupees?
Babar Azam BBL price in indian rupees translate to about ₹5.2 crore to ₹5.5 crore based on the exchange rate and bonus structure. This qualifies him to be the BBL highest paid player in rupees, defeating most of the past and present stars of the league.
His earnings include:
- A high-value base contract
- Marketing bonuses
- Performance incentives
This makes him one of the most valuable foreign players that have ever been signed by the BBL.
Who is the highest paid player in BBL?
Is Babar Azam the most expensive player in BBL? Currently, Babar Azam is the best paid in the Big Bash League. The new salary ceiling and the right to attract marquee talent elevated him above the Australian contracted players like David Warner and Steven Smith who were once among the highest paid players.
How much is BabarAzam paid in BBL?
Babar Azam BBL salary is approximately AUD 350,000+, bonuses, and incentives. This sum not only makes him the highest paid overseas player but the highest paid player of the whole BBL arrangement. Teams are now willing to spend much on star power in order to enhance performances, TV ratings and the general standards of the leagues.
How much do men’s BBL players get paid?
Men’s BBL players earn different salaries depending on:
- Player ranking
- Experience
- Recent performance
- Team needs
- Overseas draft category
The domestic players make between AUD 30,000 and 200,000, with the best international players making significantly higher with Platinum draft deals and marquee signings. This system assists teams in balancing their squads even as they attract big names.
What is the salary in the BBL?
The BBL is based on a salary cap system of more than AUD 3 million per team. This guarantees healthy competition between the eight BBL teams, maintains expenditure equilibrium, and checks excessive spending. Nevertheless, two marquee players are not restricted within this limit, and teams may still sign them, which is why contracts to the BBL highest paid player in indian rupees and other foreign stars are still increasing.
This system has enhanced player retention and prompted some of the big names, including David Warner, to return to the Big Bash League in Australia.
BBL Auction Highest Paid Player — Indian Premier League Comparison
The BBL lacks the conventional open auction such as the Indian Premier League. Rather, it applies structured overseas draft and the salary cap model. The BBL auction highest paid player comparison however tends to come up since IPL salaries are so high.
Compared to IPL stars who receive several crores higher, the BBL has not been left behind in terms of increasing draft compensation and marquee offers. The idea is to curb the migration of players and retain the best players- particularly the international players within the league.
Women’s BBL highest paid player
In addition to increasing the pay packets in BBL, Cricket Australia has also done the same in WBBL, where the average salary has been set at ₹ 2.7m, meaning the total salary cap per team would be under ₹ 41m. But that’s just the average salary. Peaks and lows could be a lot different.
The highest salary for an overseas women’s cricketer is at ₹ 6.1m while some of the top Australian contracted players can be even higher at ₹ 7.4m.
With that being the general criteria, Sydney Thunder’s Marizanne Kapp and Heather Knight, Perth Scorchers’ Sophie Devine, Melbourne Renegades’ Hayley Matthews and Harmanpreet Kaur are among the handful of overseas players expected to take home the maximum allotted salaries.
Highest Paid BBL Players – Summary
Big money has been a bit late to enter the BBL, but better late than never, it has finally arrived. It is still nowhere near the IPL level, but it does give some of the best Australian and international talent the right incentive to show up. Let’s see if the trick works this season.
But why is this money talk important? When betting, why is it important to know which player is making the most money and which franchise is splashing the most cash? The answer is here: the teams that spend more money on world-class talent show their commitment to winning. Thus, come betting time on the Parimatch app, one should craft their strategies with that information in mind. Perhaps it is wiser to back the big spenders, and perhaps there is value in betting against them.
FAQ — Big Bash League Salary Questions
Who is the highest paid player in BBL?
Babar Azam is currently the highest paid player in the BBL. His deal is one of the most valuable contracts in league history, supported by the new salary cap and marquee signing system.
Who is the highest paid BBL player?
The highest paid BBL player is Babar Azam, whose contract surpasses both overseas stars and top Australian players. His presence boosts the league’s popularity and commercial appeal.
Who is the highest paid player in the BBL?
Babar Azam holds the top position. His signing changed the financial landscape of the Big Bash League, showing how valuable overseas players have become.
Who is the most expensive player in BBL?
The most expensive modern BBL signing is Babar Azam, whose high-value deal makes him the strongest financial investment for any team.
How much do BBL players get paid?
BBL players earn between AUD 30,000 for lower-ranked domestic players to over AUD 350,000 for top overseas names. Salaries depend on ranking, draft categories, and team strategy.
Who is the highest paid player in BBL 2025?
For the 2025 season, Babar Azam holds the highest salary among all BBL cricketers, making him the top-paid player.
What is Babar Azam salary in BBL in Indian rupees?
Babar Azam’s BBL salary is roughly ₹5.2–5.5 crore when converted to Indian rupees.
How much is BabarAzam paid in BBL?
His total earnings, including bonuses, exceed AUD 350,000, placing him at the top of the BBL pay scale.