Who got the biggest salary in IPL history as Rishabh Pant joins DC for Rs 15cr? |

Cricketer Rishabh Pant (PTI Photo)

The IPL it’s never been short of blockbuster deals, but history shows that even the biggest stars can’t be protected by a big pay cut. A recent example is Rishabh Pant, whose return to Delhi Capitals has come with a huge pay cut after two disappointing years with Lucknow Super Giants.Pant was bought by LSG for a record breaking Rs 27 crore ahead of IPL 2025, making him the most expensive player in IPL history at that time. However, after two difficult seasons as captain and batsman, the franchise decided to part ways with him. In the top trade completed before IPL 2027, Pant returned to Delhi Capitals for Rs 15 crore, which resulted in a reduction of Rs 12 crore in his salary.The move reflects a recurring trend in the IPL, where player valuations can fluctuate wildly depending on performance, team tactics and marketing practices. Pant’s numbers with LSG did not live up to expectations. He scored 269 runs in IPL 2025 and followed it up with 312 runs in 2026, as the franchise slipped from seventh to bottom of the table under his leadership.While Pant’s pay cut is among the biggest in IPL history, he is not alone. Venkatesh Iyer saw his salary drop from Rs 23.75 crore with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2025 to Rs 7 crore with Royal Challengers Bengaluru a year later. Sam Curran endured a steep decline, dropping from Rs 18.5 crore at Punjab Kings to Rs 2.4 crore after returning to Chennai Super Kings.Fast bowlers Mitchell Starc, Kyle Jamieson and Jhye Richardson have also been improved despite entering the market with high profile. Pant’s return to Delhi may offer a fresh start, but his move is also a reminder that in the IPL, popularity alone does not guarantee long-term financial security.