Pat Cummins has reportedly been offered a four-million-dollar (INR 22 crore approx) annual contract by Cricket Australia (CA) as the board looks to counter the increasing financial pull of IPL (Indian Premier League0 and other franchise leagues.
According to a report from Australian outlet The Age, Cummins has been offered a deal until 2029 that could earn him around 12 million Australian dollars (Rs 66 crore approx.) over three years if signed.
The presented extension would reportedly increase the Australia skipper’s salary by around 1 million Australian dollars annually, heading into a busy and arduous international schedule that could see Australia play as many as 21 Test matches in 12 months.
It is important to note that the right-arm fast bowler, who is currently leading the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2026, was retained by the franchise for INR 18 crore last year. Under his leadership, the Orange Army reached the final in 2024 and is currently sitting pretty at the top of the table this year with seven wins from 11 matches.
Under Cricket Australia’s current memorandum of understanding, the average men’s retainer is slightly more than one million Australian dollars annually before match fees and superannuation. Cummins’ proposed contract is also expected to include more guaranteed money, irrespective of how many matches, series, or tournaments he plays. By the time the contract ends in 2029, the Westmead-born will be 36 years old.
Cummins missed the T20 World Cup and the first seven games for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2026 as he was recovering from a back injury. However, after making his comeback, the 32-year-old has shown no signs of rust.
While he has been needed with the bat in hand only once, he has bowled brilliantly with the ball and also led the Orange Army from the front. In four matches, he has picked up four wickets. His economy rate of 9.19 is impressive for someone who bowls in the power play.
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On Wednesday, May 6, the 32-year-old dismissed Priyansh Arya and Suryansh Shedge to help the Sunrisers defeat the Punjab Kings at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. He won the Player of the Match award after taking two key wickets and leading his side well in a high-scoring clash, which saw a total of 437 runs scored across the two innings.
