Over the past few years, the Big Bash League had fallen behind in the race to offer big money to cricket’s crème de la crème. However, that changed in 2023 when Cricket Australia (CA) upped its salary cap from AUD 1.9 million to a little over AUD 3m. Therefore, while highest paid player in BBL 2022 took home modest sums, the same list for the season 2023-24 — compiled by Parimatch — is a bit different (read inflated) for obvious reasons.
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. Check the link below.
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Who is the Highest Paid Player in BBL?
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.
BBL Highest Paid Player in Rupees
While half a million dollars, or any dollar sum, may sound fancy, it may not give our Indian readers the full picture. So, let’s just lose the dollar denomination and turn the whole thing into a rupee bonanza. Let us warn you that the below amounts are not for the fainthearted, so brace yourself and read about Big Bash highest-paid player in rupees.
Highest paid BBL player at number 7 — 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.
BBL highest-paid player in Indian rupees at number 6 — 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.
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 and still raking in big sums.
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 at number 4 — 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.
The highest paid player in Big Bash League at number 3 — 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 player salary during the BBL 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.
Highest paid BBL player at number 2 — 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.
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 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.
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
How much is Glenn Maxwell BBL salary?
Glenn Maxwell BBL price for the current season is set at $150,000.
How much do Big Bash players get paid?
Big Bash players’ salaries vary, depending on their level. It can range from $420,000 for the season (for Pat Cummins – Big Bash highest paid player currently) to $100,000 for a player of bronze level.
Who is the highest paid player in BBL?
The highest paid player in BBL is Pat Cummins.
Who is the highest paid BBL player?
The highest paid BBL player is Pat Cummins – BBL most expensive player nowadays
How much is BBL players salary in rupees?
BBL players salary in Indian rupees is between ₹2.7m to ₹23.4m.
How much is the BBL contract?
The value of BBL contracts varies from player to player.
Who is the highest scorer in BBL history?
Chris Lynn is the highest scorer in BBL history.
What is the highest total by a team in BBL?
273-2 by Melbourne Stars is the highest score in BBL.