Exclusive: Cricketers Reveal How They Spent Their First Big IPL Pay Checks

Rajasthan Royals won ₹4.8 crore in prize money for its victory in the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008. Since then, that amount has increased fivefold, and individual players are now being purchased at auctions for over ₹25 crore.

The lakhs earned by individuals in the first few editions felt like a million-dollar dream to uncapped cricketers who played in the Ranji Trophy for a match fee of Rs 37,000 daily. 

As the 18th season of the IPL with a prize money of Rs 20 crore begins on Saturday, Indian domestic cricketers recalled how the tournament helped them achieve their dreams.

The first car with IPL money

For Shreevats Goswami, who won the Emerging Player Award in 2008, it was a lottery as he also received cash for winning the U-19 World Cup that year. 

Goswami, alongside his U-19 captain Virat Kohli, was signed by the Royal Challengers Bangalore. 

"We were getting 12 lakh. It became a double bonanza as we received 10 lakh in the U-19 World Cup. I didn't know what to do with 22 lakh. I bought my first car. It was a Honda City," he told Sportsboom.com on Thursday.

The wicketkeeper-batter had limited opportunities to showcase his skills, with only fifty coming in 2008 against the Delhi Daredevils. 

"We had no clue if performances could lead us to the Indian team. We were there to enjoy. As youngsters, we didn't have much knowledge about which was the best thing about that era."

"People now have a lot of wrong information. Some people get carried away and want to avoid domestic cricket and only play IPL. At times, injured players are suddenly fit before the IPL," added Goswami, a veteran of domestic cricket with Bengal. 

He played in 31 IPL matches across four franchises: RCB, Kolkata Knight Riders, RR, and Sunrisers Hyderabad. His best takeaway has been the friendships. 

"I became good friends with Kevin Pietersen, Ross Taylor, and David Warner."

Money and cricketing growth

Manvinder Bisla, the hero of the 2012 final for KKR with a 48-ball 89 against the Chennai Super Kings, had also bought a car, "a blue-coloured Maruti Dzire" with his first paycheque of 12 lakh.

He emphasised that cricketing education was more important than money. 

"The IPL provided a platform for domestic players to enhance their skills by playing with and against international stars, which I believe should still be a priority for everyone today. The money was a plus point. Here, uncapped players could increase their fees every year if they performed. Even if you don't play international cricket, you can aspire to a good life since the auction is an open market and all teams look for match-winners," said the 40-year-old, who smashed 798 runs including four fifties in 39 IPL matches.

Bisla was part of the victorious Deccan Chargers squad in 2009, the Punjab Kings in 2010, and KKR from 2012 to 2014. "KKR's win in 2012 is my best IPL memory," added Bisla, who last played for RCB in 2015.

A 2 BHK in Goa

Left-arm spinner Shadab Jakati from the football-crazy Goa claimed 47 wickets in 59 matches for CSK. He is one of the five cricketers from Goa to have played in the league. 

"We didn't have our own house in Goa then. I remember booking a 2BHK immediately in advance. That was my first investment with the IPL money. The bracket was between 10-20 lakh for uncapped players," said Jakati, who debuted in the 2009 edition, held in South Africa, with a pay of 12 lakh. 

He picked up two consecutive four-fours, 4/24 and 4/22 that year.

Jakati’s best IPL memory is meeting the former president of The Board of Control for Cricket in India, N. Srinivasan, in 2010. His family also owns the CSK franchise. 

“Mr N Srinivasan came into the team meeting once after we started poorly in the 2010 season. He motivated the players in a short speech. And that encouraged us to do well. From there, the team went on to win," added Jakati, who dismissed Sachin Tendulkar in that final.