IPL 2026: Pat Cummins offered INR 27.43 crore deal after SRH tops points table

Pat Cummins, after a long break from international cricket due to a lengthy list of injuries, returned to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 with the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Leading the franchise in the last few games, he shouldered them to the top of the points table with seven victories at a net run rate of +0.737.

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However, to help prevent overseas T20 leagues from poaching the country's biggest stars, Cricket Australia has struck a staggering deal of INR 27.43 crore for a long-term period, as the national captain has prioritized the longest format until 2029.

Cricket Australia offers $12 million deal to Pat Cummins amid IPL 2026

The reports of the Sydney Morning Herald revealed that CA has offered Pat Cummins a three-year contract extension worth of $4 million, which is around INR 10 crore annually, while the multi-format opener, Travis Head, is in discussion to earn a similar deal. Despite having speculation on his spot, Marnus Labuschagne has been provided the same three-year deal. 

“Absolutely. They’ve earned the right; they’ve been long-term performers for Australia across formats for a long period of time. There’s only so far you can take them under the current constraints. That’s definitely a priority at the moment.” The head of cricket for CA, James Allsop, expressed.

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The report comes as the national team approaches a blockbuster summer of cricket, which includes 21 Tests across the 12 months from August 2026. Cummins only played one of their last five Ashes Tests this summer due to a back injury and missed the recent T20 World Cup 2026 in the subcontinent.

It's noteworthy that both Head and Cummins were offered a $10 million deal last year to forgo international duties and take up full-time franchise cricket.

Pat Cummins returns to IPL 2026 with strong performance

Last week, they planned to privatize the Big Bash League (BBL) by selling the stakes in all eight sides to private investors, but that has been on hold after Queensland Cricket joined New South Wales in rejecting the $600 million proposal.

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Cummins, who picked up 34 wickets in the previous two seasons of the league in 30 innings, has earned four wickets in four innings at an average of 36.75 and an economy rate of just over nine in 2026. His eyes will be on the trophy that they missed in 2024, losing the final in 2024.