Rishabh Pant is the most expensive player in IPL history, with the Lucknow Super Giants shelling out 27 crore rupees for him in the 2025 auction. However, his performance hasn’t lived up to the price tag. In 13 matches, he’s scored just 151 runs at an average of 13 – his worst IPL show yet.
Pant’s massive deal raised expectations that he’d lead the team to their first title, but this season ended with the team failing to make it past the league stage. Now, the question on everyone’s mind is: will Pant get the full 27 crore rupees? If not, how much will he actually take home? Let’s break it down.
The IPL 2025 auction made history when the Lucknow Super Giants bought Pant for a whopping 27 crore rupees, making him the most expensive player ever. Previously, he was with the Delhi Capitals, but they chose not to retain him. Although Delhi used the Right to Match (RTM) option during the auction, they backed out after Lucknow’s massive bid.
Here’s the thing: Pant won’t get the full 27 crore rupees. Estimated tax calculations suggest he’ll have to pay 11.48 crore rupees in taxes on his professional income. With a 30% tax rate, that’s 8.6 crore rupees, plus an additional 2.44 crore rupees in surcharge, making it 11.04 crore rupees. Since his income exceeds 5 crore rupees, a 37% surcharge applies. Adding a 4% health and education cess, his total tax liability comes out to 11.48 crore rupees. So, Pant will be left with 15.52 crore rupees.
If Pant claims deductions for equipment, travel, living expenses, and manager fees, his take-home pay could increase. According to Rajarshi Dasgupta, Executive Director – Tax at Aquilaw, “Under the new tax regime, the Indian government will claim 10.53 crore rupees in taxes (30% income tax, 25% surcharge, and 4% cess) from Pant’s 27 crore rupees per season, leaving him with a net salary of 16.47 crore rupees per season from the IPL team.”
The franchise will also deduct 10% TDS from this amount, which Pant can claim back when he files his income tax return.