Pat Cummins & Travis Head walk away from ₹58 Cr IPL offer? Check details
Australia’s ODI and Test captain Pat Cummins and star batter Travis Head have reportedly turned down a massive AUD 10 million (approx. ₹58.46 crore) annual offer to leave Australian cricket and commit full-time to overseas T20 leagues. The lucrative deal is said to have been presented by a group linked to an IPL franchise, aiming to lure the two key Australian players away from their national duties. However, both Cummins and Head declined the offer, reaffirming their commitment to representing Australia in international cricket. As reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, the management teams of both players declined to comment on the matter, maintaining discretion around the rejected offer.
Pat Cummins and Travis Head choose Australian cricket over ₹58 Cr IPL offer
Currently, Australia’s top centrally contracted players earn around AUD 1.5 million (₹8.76 crore) annually. In Cummins’ case, his earnings rise to approximately AUD 3 million (₹17.52 crore) when his additional income as captain is included. The decision by Cummins and Head to remain loyal to Australian cricket, despite the financial temptation, highlights their dedication to the national team. At a time when several cricketers are exploring franchise-based careers, their move has been seen as a strong message of prioritizing country over cash. It also underscores Cricket Australia's ability to retain its top talents.
Pat Cummins and Travis Head are not only central figures in Australian cricket but also among the highest earners in the Indian Premier League. In the 2025 season, Cummins commanded a salary of ₹18 crore with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), while Head also represented the same franchise, earning ₹14 crore. Their prominence in both international and franchise cricket highlights their value on the global stage.
Amid growing competition from lucrative T20 leagues, a recent report suggests that Cricket Australia, along with state associations and the players' union, is in discussions to privatise the Big Bash League (BBL). The aim is to attract private investment and make the BBL financially competitive with other global leagues. The multi-crore offers made to Cummins and Head—reportedly by a group connected to an IPL franchise—are being viewed as a wake-up call for Australian cricket authorities.
These offers, although declined by the players, underscore the shifting dynamics of international cricket, where national boards are now competing with wealthy franchises for player loyalty. The potential privatisation of the BBL is seen as a strategic move to future-proof Australian cricket and retain top talent by offering more competitive financial incentives within the domestic T20 structure. The push for private investment in domestic T20 leagues, such as Australia's Big Bash League, is being driven by the need to offer competitive player salaries and connect with a growing global network of franchise owners. Increased investment could help national boards retain top talent amid a wave of high-paying offers from franchise leagues. For instance, in 2023, English pacer Jofra Archer was reportedly offered a $7.5 million deal by Mumbai Indians (MI) to play year-round and give up international cricket—a proposal he ultimately turned down.
However, not all players are making the same choice. Earlier this year, South African batter Heinrich Klaasen shocked fans by announcing his retirement from international cricket to focus solely on global T20 leagues. With the massive financial lure of these leagues, players are increasingly tempted to walk away from national duties in favour of franchise opportunities.
While major boards like the BCCI, ECB, and Cricket Australia may still have the resources to retain their biggest stars, less wealthy cricketing nations could face significant challenges. As franchise leagues grow in influence and wealth, international cricket may struggle to keep its top performers, unless structural and financial changes are implemented by national boards worldwide.
