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Australia's Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins and his deputy Travis Head were each offered around AU$10 million (approx. ₹58 crore) annually to quit international cricket and play franchise T20 leagues full-time for an IPL ownership group. According to reports in The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, both players were approached earlier this year with the record-breaking offers - but politely turned them down, reaffirming their loyalty to Australian cricket.
The proposals reportedly emerged during discussions between Cricket Australia (CA) and stakeholders about the potential privatisation of the Big Bash League (BBL). The AU$10 million offers were cited as examples of how international cricket boards are struggling to retain top players amid the financial dominance of global T20 leagues. Currently, Australian stars earn about AU$1.5 million a year from national contracts, with Cummins and Head earning additional income from their IPL franchises - around AU$3.7 million and AU$1.2 million, respectively.
By contrast, the franchise proposal represented a staggering increase - nearly seven times their current annual income. Despite the financial allure, both Cummins and Head decided to continue serving the national team across all formats.
With IPL groups now owning teams in leagues like SA20, ILT20, Major League Cricket (MLC), CPL, and The Hundred, players are increasingly being tempted by full-time franchise careers. New Zealand's Trent Boult and South Africa's Heinrich Klaasen, have decisively opted for franchise leagues over international cricket. At the same time, England's Jofra Archer also received a similar proposal in 2023.
Travis Head, who participated in the USA's Major League Cricket (MLC) last year, said he used the experience to understand the demands of franchise cricket.
"I played MLC to get a taste of what it would be like to play franchise cricket," Head said. "It was about seeing what four straight months of franchise tournaments would feel like and learning how it operates.”
Despite his curiosity, Head made it clear that his focus remains with Australia. "Currently I'm playing for Australia, and I don't see a timeline where I can play anything else," he said.
Meanwhile, Cummins continues his recovery from a back injury ahead of the Ashes series starting in November. His strong commitment to Australia has garnered strong praise from fans and officials, Individuals who view his rejection as a powerful affirmation of his commitment to Test and international cricket.
The incident has ignited a vibrant debate about the future of international cricket, particularly with the growing influence and financial power of private T20 leagues. Cricket Australia is under mounting pressure to boost player salaries and attract private investment if it hopes to keep pace with the competition. The stakes are high, and the time for action is now!
