Overview

• An IPL team group informally offered nearly $10 million a year each to Pat Cummins and Travis Head to play franchise T20 full-time, according to multiple reports, and both declined.
• The offers have been raised in discussions between Cricket Australia, state associations and the players’ union about whether to privatise the Big Bash League.
• Cricket Australia and player managers declined to comment publicly, while proponents argue private capital could lift salaries and connect the BBL to global franchise owners.
• Top Australian national contracts are about A$1.5 million annually, with Cummins earning roughly A$3 million including his captaincy stipend, compared with recent IPL auction figures of about $3.7 million for Cummins and $1.2 million for Head.
• The pay gap reflects a broader shift as some players pursue franchise careers, highlighted by Heinrich Klaasen’s retirement from internationals, though Head reiterated he is playing for Australia.