IPL 2025, Virat Kohli: Why is Kohli’s salary decreasing from 21 to only 13 crores?

Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar and Yash Dayal. Rajat Patidar has been made the captain. The most expensive player for RCB is of course the legendary Virat Kohli. RCB has kept him at 21 crores. Although King Kohli will get only 13 crores in IPL 2025!

The 18th edition of the Indian Premier League has started. Every team has played at least one match. Many have even played two bouts. Today’s matchup pits Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore. Both teams are playing their second match. Prior to the IPL mega-auction, Royal Challengers Bangalore retained just three players.

They’re Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal. Rajat Patidar has been appointed captain. The most expensive player for RCB is, of course, the great Virat Kohli. RCB has retained him for 21 crores. Although King Kohli will only receive 13 crores!

This season, Royal Challengers Bangalore won their first game. The domination of jersey number 18 was evident in the first match of the 18th edition. RCB began the season by beating the reigning champion Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. King Kohli’s hitting contributed significantly to their triumph. This time, let’s look at Kohli’s income.

Kohli’s IPL Salary in IPL 2025

Virat Kohli’s IPL payment has climbed year after year. Virat Kohli has been playing in the IPL since the inaugural season in 2008. At the time, Virat Kohli’s pay was just Rs 12 lakh. Between 2011 and 2013, it climbed to Rs 8.28 crore. Then it cost Rs 12.5 crore. From 2018 to 2021, he will receive Rs 17 crore. Now, in IPL 2025 it’s Rs 21 crore. However, Virat will only receive Rs 13 crore due to taxation! This is what the experts say.

Section 28 of India’s income Tax Act (1961) classifies IPL revenue as professional or commercial income. Which falls under the highest tax bracket. The basic tax rate is 30% on income above Rs 15 lakh. That is around Rs 6.3 crore. A surcharge is levied on income beyond Rs 5 crore. That is around Rs 1.575 crore. Cess is 4% of the total tax payment, which is about Rs 31 lakh. That means, after deducting all other taxes, Virat Kohli will receive around Rs 13 crore in IPL 2025.