 "Pat Cummins, Travis Head reject Rs 58 crore offer from IPL team to leave Australian cricket: Report")
Australia’s Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins and his deputy Travis Head were recently offered nearly AUD $10 million (Rs 58 crore approx) a year each to leave international cricket and play franchise T20 leagues full-time around the world for an Indian Premier League (IPL) team. According to The Age, both players were approached with the lucrative deals this year by an IPL group, and they “politely” declined.
As per the report, the offer came to light after it was discussed during talks between Cricket Australia’s stakeholders on whether to privatise the Big Bash League (BBL). The alleged offer was used as an example to argue how weak CA’s hold on its players is becoming, and that private investment would help boost salaries and other incentives. Currently, Australian players earn on average around AUD $1.5 million (Rs 8 crore approx) a year from their national contracts.
Concerns grow in Australian cricket circles
Even though both players are reported to have said no to the massive deals, apparently choosing to stay committed to the national team, it has raised concerns among Australian cricket stakeholders about the growing influence of overseas T20 leagues on top players. Heinrich Klaasen from South Africa recently retired from international cricket to play franchise cricket full-time. New Zealand star Trent Boult also did the same last year.
England pacer Jofra Archer was made a similar offer in 2023 by the Mumbai Indians to play franchise cricket for them all year round, but he reportedly rejected the deal. Currently, Australian youngster Cameron Green is part of the Mumbai Indians franchise and there are concerns about him in Australian cricket circles.
Both Cummins and Head play for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. The report claims that the players’ managers have not commented on the matter. If Cummins and Head had accepted the deals, they would have become some of the highest-earning sportspersons in Australia, joining the likes of F1 driver Oscar Piastri, NBA player Josh Giddey, and others.
Meanwhile, there are reports that Cummins may miss out on the first Ashes Test against England due to fitness concerns. According to reports, the Aussie star’s latest scans revealed that he is not fully fit to bowl and may miss the start of the Ashes, and could potentially miss the entire series.
 "Power struggle at Tatas: Why trustees at Tata Trusts are fighting one another")
 "Nobel Prize in Chemistry goes to trio for ‘development of metal-organic frameworks’")
 "Why is India hosting Taliban foreign minister for 8 days? Afghan media abuzz with new era hopes")
 "Who is Jagtar Singh Johal, the Brit detained in India on terror charges, who may figure in Starmer-Modi talks?")
 "Power struggle at Tatas: Why trustees at Tata Trusts are fighting one another")
 "Nobel Prize in Chemistry goes to trio for ‘development of metal-organic frameworks’")
 "Why is India hosting Taliban foreign minister for 8 days? Afghan media abuzz with new era hopes")
 "Who is Jagtar Singh Johal, the Brit detained in India on terror charges, who may figure in Starmer-Modi talks?")
