Virat Kohli to pay heavy Income tax on his IPL salary

Virat Kohli is expected to pay based on his IPL 2025 salary. We will also find out his salary for the IPL. Let’s dive in.

Virat Kohli remains one of the standout performers in the Indian Premier League. In IPL 2025, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru star is set to earn a hefty Rs 21 crore, reflecting a 40 per cent rise from the previous year. But what portion of this will he actually take home after deductions? Let’s break it down.

With a salary of Rs 21 crore, Kohli is the top-earning player in Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He is followed by Josh Hazlewood (Rs 12.50 crore) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Rs 10.75 crore). On the flip side, the lowest-paid players in RCB, such as Swastik Chikara, Manoj Bhandage, Abhinandan Singh, and Mohit Rathee, were acquired for only Rs 30 lakh each.

Kohli’s earnings have soared since he made his IPL debut in 2008. As per information from the online tax and business consultancy, Taxology India, he began with a modest Rs 12 lakh salary between 2008 and 2010, which grew to Rs 8.28 crore during the 2011-2013 period. From 2014 to 2017, his salary was Rs 12.5 crore per season, and from 2018 to 2021, it increased to Rs 17 crore. Following a slight reduction to Rs 15 crore between 2022 and 2024, his earnings have now reached an all-time high of Rs 21 crore in 2025, as reported by Taxology India.

Since his IPL debut in 2008, Virat Kohli has accumulated an impressive Rs 179.70 crore in salary alone. His consistent performances and massive fan following have established him as one of the highest-paid cricketers in IPL history.

Kohli is not considered an RCB employee but receives a contract payment from the IPL. According to Section 28 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, this income is classified as “income from business or profession.” Since his IPL earnings surpass Rs 15 lakh, he is taxed at a flat rate of 30 percent on the total amount.

Read more at India.com