Most Expensive Captains in IPL 2023
The success of a team in the IPL is synonymous with fine leadership. Right from the first season, there have been great examples of exemplary leadership that has lit up the league. Teams find it imperative to have a solid leader in place. They often build the team around the captain. A team like CSK has shown immense faith in a single captain over a long period of time. It is the captain that often ends up defining the team and its performance in the season. Let us look at Most Expensive Captains in IPL 2023 in detail.
We look at the 5 most expensive captains in IPL 2023:
#5 Sanju Samson – 14 crores
He made his debut in 2012 representing the Rajasthan Royals. Sanju Samson created an instant impression in his very first game. He has been a big part of RRs’ plans right since. Sanju Samson was handed over the captaincy in 2021. He has since then led the side impressively.
RR failed to qualify for the playoffs in 2021 but finished as runners-up in 2022. They were arguably the best team during the league stage. Sanju Samson draws an annual salary of INR 14 crores/year as RR captain.
#4 Hardik Pandya – 15 crores
He made his IPL debut in 2015. Hardik Pandya was earmarked for something special very early in his career. He won 4 IPL titles with Mumbai Indians. But a mixed season in 2021 combined with the auction dynamics led to MI releasing Pandya. The snub did upset Pandya.
Gujarat Titans the new team in the IPL picked Hardik Pandya through the player draft. They went on to appoint him as their captain. Pandya led the side to a memorable win in their first-ever season. His salary of INR 15 crores felt justified in the first season itself.
#3 Rishabh Pant – 16 crores
He is a generational talent. Rishabh Pant broke onto the scene with his U-19 exploits in 2016. He has only played for Delhi so far in the IPL. Pant’s breakthrough season came in 2018 when he scored more than 600 runs. He was appointed as captain in 2021. Pant led the side to playoffs in 2021 while missing out narrowly in 2022. He is one of the highest earners in the IPL. Pant draws INR 16 crores/year at Delhi.
#2 Rohit Sharma – 16 crores
He is the most successful captain in the IPL. Rohit Sharma’s career catapulted when he switched to Mumbai Indians in 2011. His international career too reached new heights when he became the MI captain in 2013. Sharma led MI to 5 title wins in 8 seasons. It is a record that is difficult to beat. Sharma unsurprisingly MI’s first choice retention ahead of the mega auction in 2022. He was signed for INR 16 crores.
#1 KL Rahul – 17 crores
He started his career with SRH before joining RCB wherein he came into his own as a player. But KL Rahul’s versatility came to the fore at Punjab when he joined them in 2018. He was always among the top scorers for all 4 years he played for the franchise. But he exited the franchise ahead of the mega auction in 2022. The Lucknow Super Giants bought Rahul from the player draft for a whopping INR 17 crores. He is the highest-paid captain ever in IPL history!
