IPL vs PSL, For the first time in cricket history, the Pakistan Super League (PSL 2025) is running simultaneously with the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025). With Champions Trophy 2025 scheduled in February-March, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was forced to shift the PSL calendar. As a result, PSL 2025 began on April 11 and will continue till May 18, while the IPL, which kicked off on March 22, will conclude with its final match on May 25 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
PSL 2025 Player Pool Impacted by IPL Schedule
With the IPL 2025 schedule clashing with PSL, many foreign players chose IPL contracts over PSL deals due to higher salaries and global reach. Players like David Warner, Daryl Mitchell, Rilee Rossouw, and Joshua Little, who went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, signed up for PSL 2025.
However, some like Corbin Bosch—initially selected as a diamond pick by Peshawar Zalmi—opted out after receiving a late IPL call from Mumbai Indians, prioritizing the IPL 2025 salary benefits. This raised eyebrows among PSL fans, who were eager to watch top-tier talent perform.
David Warner Becomes PSL 2025’s Highest-Paid Cricketer
Among the notable names, David Warner became the highest-paid player in PSL 2025. He joined the Karachi Kings for $300,000, which translates to around INR 2.57 crore. This is a significant drop from his Delhi Capitals contract in IPL 2024, where he earned INR 6.25 crore.
After going unsold in the IPL this year, Warner turned to PSL and found himself leading the PSL 2025 salary chart. Despite this, his earnings still pale in comparison to IPL 2025’s top salaries.
Massive IPL vs PSL Salary Gap Revealed
In IPL 2025, Rishabh Pant is the costliest player, earning INR 27 crore—more than INR 24 crore higher than Warner’s PSL deal. Interestingly, the combined salaries of the top 10 most expensive PSL players come to about INR 19.49 crore, which is less than Pant’s individual IPL salary.
This stark contrast highlights the financial strength of the Indian Premier League, where players like Virat Kohli, Nicholas Pooran, Heinrich Klaasen, and Shreyas Iyer are earning multi-crore contracts. For fans looking to compare IPL and PSL contracts, the disparity is clear.
Top 10 Most Expensive Players in PSL 2025
| Player | Team | PSL 2025 Salary (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| David Warner | Karachi Kings | INR 2.57 crore |
| Daryl Mitchell | Lahore Qalandars | INR 1.88 crore |
| Babar Azam | Peshawar Zalmi | INR 1.88 crore |
| Fakhar Zaman | Lahore Qalandars | INR 1.88 crore |
| Shaheen Afridi | Lahore Qalandars | INR 1.88 crore |
| Saim Ayub | Peshawar Zalmi | INR 1.88 crore |
| Naseem Shah | Islamabad United | INR 1.88 crore |
| Mohammad Rizwan | Multan Sultans | INR 1.88 crore |
| Matthew Short | Islamabad United | INR 1.88 crore |
| Shadab Khan | Islamabad United | INR 1.88 crore |
Conclusion: IPL Still Reigns Supreme in Salaries and Star Power
Whether you’re planning to watch IPL 2025 live, stream PSL 2025 on mobile, or download team schedules, one thing is clear — the IPL remains the most lucrative cricket league in the world. As PSL fans and cricket lovers compare the two leagues, the financial edge of IPL 2025 continues to attract top global talent and dominate headlines.
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