A number of top IPL teams reportedly offered Australia captain Pat Cummins and his deputy Travis Head incredible multi-year contracts totaling AUD 10 million (Rs 58.46 crore) each to play only in T20 tournaments, but both players declined.
According to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, the offers, which are almost six times higher than what top Australian players receive under their board’s central contracts, were made earlier this year as part of an effort by IPL-backed investors to put together full-time franchise squads.
“The offers, made this year by an IPL team group, were politely rebuffed by two of Australia’s most valuable cricket assets, who remain firmly committed to the national team,” stated the report.
With contracts with Cricket Australia (CA), senior Australian players make about AUD 1.5 million (Rs 8.77 crore) a year. Cummins’ total pay, including captaincy allowances, rises to AUD 3 million (Rs 17.54 crore).
According to the report, the occurrence highlighted the increasing financial power of international T20 teams and surfaced amid talks between Cricket Australia, state authorities, and the players’ association regarding the potential privatization of the Big Bash League.
While acknowledging that participating in franchise events gave him a taste of life outside of international cricket, Head, who played in both the IPL and Major League Cricket last year, maintained that his priority remained playing for Australia.
“Currently I’m playing for Australia, and I don’t see a timeline where I can play anything (else) really… I want to commit, as much as I can, to Australia,” Head said.
