Archive · 26 Dec 2025
Cricket's Financial Evolution in India
A long time ago, Indian cricketers like Kapil Dev earned very little money, around Rs 1500 for a match.
Today, players like Virat Kohli earn much more, with Rs 6 lakh per ODI and a big annual contract.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) started in 1928 and had very little money at first.
Everything changed when they realized they could earn money from broadcasting cricket matches.
This led to big deals and the launch of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008, which made cricket in India very rich.
The IPL is now worth billions of dollars, and each match brings in a lot of money.
This shows how cricket has become the richest sport in India.
Indian cricketers' earnings have grown from Rs 1500 per match in the 1980s to Rs 6 lakh per ODI for Virat Kohli today.
BCCI was established in 1928 and initially struggled financially, relying only on ticket sales and on-field advertisements.
The BCCI's financial breakthrough came in 1991 when they were offered $40,000 per match for broadcasting rights, leading to a significant increase in revenue.
The launch of the IPL in 2008 catapulted BCCI to unprecedented financial heights, with the IPL's valuation reaching $10.7 billion in 2023.
Each IPL match contributes $14.2 million (₹118.5 crore) to the league's broadcast value, making it one of the most commercially valuable sports leagues globally.
- Who
- BCCI, Indian cricketers, and key figures like Kapil Dev and Virat Kohli
- What
- The financial evolution of cricket in India, from modest beginnings to becoming the richest sport
- When
- From the 1980s to the present day, with significant milestones in the 1990s and 2008
- Where
- India, with global impacts on the cricketing community
- Why
- Due to the realization of cricket's monetary potential, leading to increased revenues and the launch of the IPL
- Kapil Dev's 1983 match fee
- Rs 1500
- Virat Kohli's current ODI fee
- Rs 6 lakh
- Virat Kohli's annual contract
- Rs 7 crore
- BCCI establishment year
- 1928
- BCCI's first major revenue deal
- $40,000 per match in 1991
- IPL valuation in 2023
- $10.7 billion
- IPL's brand value increase since 2008
- 433%
- Broadcast value per IPL match
- $14.2 million (₹118.5 crore)