MS Dhoni has created history by becoming the first-ever cricketer to earn more than Rs 150 crore in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain had an earning of over Rs 137 crore before the IPL 2020 retention day. And the moment CSK extended Dhoni’s contract, the India legend recorded his name in the history books.
Dhoni, who has been leading the Yellow Army since IPL 2008, has a salary of Rs 15 crore/season now. He has been earning the same amount since IPL 2018.
Dhoni was the biggest player in the IPL 2008 auction. And unsurprisingly, he emerged as the costliest pick when CSK bought him for Rs 6 crore. He earned the same amount for the next 3 years.
In 2011, the BCCI increased the first-choice retention price to over Rs 8 crore. This saw Dhoni draw a salary of Rs 8.28 crore from 2011 to 2013. Ahead of the IPL 2014 mega-auction, the BCCI once again increased the first-choice retention amount.
Hence, he earned Rs 12.5 crore in 2014 and 2015. At Rising Pune Supergiant as well, Dhoni had the same salary and drew Rs 25 crore in 2016 and 2017.
The three-time IPL-winning captain has earned Rs 60 crore at CSK since their return to the league in 2018. The only player with a combined salary of over Rs 150 crore, Dhoni isn’t expected to add to his tally as he looks all but set to retire after IPL 2021.
Despite earning Rs 2 crore lesser than Virat Kohli for the 4th consecutive season, Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma continues to hold a lead the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s captain. Rohit, who has been one of the highest-paid players right since the inception of IPL, has so far drawn over Rs 146.6 crore. He has been earning Rs 15 crore/season from MI since 2018.
On the other hand, Kohli has been drawing Rs 17 crore/season since 2018, which sees him sit at the third spot. He has so far earned Rs 143.2 crore by plying trade in the T20 league. The lead of Rs 2 crore over Rohit and Dhoni has been one of the highlights of Kohli’s IPL career.
