The best performance in Saturday’s game at Eden Gardens came from Virat Kohli, who hit more than half a century against the Kolkata Knight Riders. One of the leading players in IPL, Kohli from Royal Challenger Bangalore has stayed that way. Given his popularity and game performance, what IPL pay scale does he accept? According to sources, Kohli is paid Rs 21 in the 18th IPL this year, a forty percent increase over the previous year.
Data from online tax and business consulting company Taxology India shows that Virat Kohli’s pay in IPL was merely Rs 12 lakh between 2008 and 2010, then surged to Rs 21 crore in 2025 given his game play and great popularity.
His pay shot significantly to Rs 8.28 crore in the 2011-13 period following 2010.
His IPL pay in 2014 to 2017 came at Rs 12.5 crore; in 2018 to 2021 it came at Rs 17 crore.
But according to Taxology India, his pay suffered in 2022 to 2024 and dropped to Rs 15 crore; it then rose by 40% to Rs 21 crore in 2025.
From 2008, he has made a total pay from IPL of Rs 179.70 crore.
Virat Kohli RCB Highest Paid Player
Kohli, at Rs 21 crore, is the highest paid player in the Royal Challengers Bangalore; Josh Hazlewood (Rs 12.50 crore) and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar (Rs 10.75 crore) follow in pay scale.
With the same sum apiece, RCB has four players: Swastik Chikara, Manoj Bhandage, Abhinandan Singh, and Mohit Rathee; the least paid auction is Rs 30 lakh.
Virat Kohli’s IPL salary this year: how much tax would he pay?
Based on his IPL pay of Rs 21 crore for the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Virat Kohli has roughly projected tax bill of Rs 21 crore in 2025.
Under Section 28 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 Kohli’s income is classified as “income from business or profession” as he is not an RCB employee but is getting an IPL contract fee.
FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26) Tax Calculation
Being a resident individual making more than Rs 5 crore, Virat Kohli falls under the highest income tax slab. Should he choose the new tax system, which benefits high-income earners more generally, his tax obligation would be as follows:
New Regime Income Slabs: Tax Rate
₹ 0 – ₹ 3,00,000 Nil
₹ 3,00,001 – ₹ 6,00,000 5%
From ₹6,00,001 to ₹9,00,000 10%.
₹9,00,001 then ₹12,00,000 15%.
₹ 12,00,001 – ₹ 15,00,000 20%
Above 15,00,000 30%
He will be taxed at 30% on the whole as his IPL salary comes out to be more than Rs 15 lakh.
First: Fundamental Tax Calculations
Thirty percent of Rs 21 crore equals Rs 6.3 crore.
Second: Surcharge (because income exceeds Rs 5 crore).
Income over Rs 5 crore draws a 25% tax surcharge:
Rs 6.3 crore times 25% comes to Rs 1.575 crore.
Health and Education Cess (4% on tax + fee) in Step 3
Rs 0.315 crore is obtained by (Rs 6.3 crore + Rs 1.575 crore) x 4%.
Final Liability for Taxes
Income tax comes at Rs 6.3 crore.
25% surchrage = Rs 1.575 crore
Cess, at 4%, = Rs 0.315 crore
The total payable taxes Rs 8.19 crore.
After Taxes: Net Take-Home Income
IPL pay equals Rs 21 crore.
Tax Due: Rs 8.19 crore
After-tax income comes at Rs 12.81 crore.
Deductions
Should he have business expenses—such as agency fees, gym costs, brand management—he can deduct them under Section 37(1) prior to calculating taxable income.
Additionally taxed separately will be other sources of income (endorsements, investments, etc.).