Home » Abhishek Sharma IPL Price, 2026 Salary & Auction History
Written By: Ben Crawley

Abhishek Sharma has grown into one of the most exciting batters in the Indian Premier League. Delhi Daredevils first picked him as a 17-year-old in the 2018 auction. Since then, his career has taken off at a speed few predicted.

From a young talent earning Rs. 55 lakh to becoming a Rs.14 crore franchise cornerstone for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Sharma’s rise has been rapid and impressive. He played a key role in taking SRH to the IPL 2024 final and has since become India’s number one-ranked T20I batter.

His clean striking, fearless approach, and handy left-arm spin make him one of the most valuable young all-rounders in Indian cricket today.

Abhishek Sharma: At A Glance

Here is a quick summary of Abhishek Sharma’s earnings across different income sources:

CategoryAmountInformation
Estimated Net WorthRs. 12 Crore – Rs. 15 CroreIncludes real estate, brand endorsements, and cricket income.
BCCI Annual SalaryRs. 1 Crore (Grade C)Placed in Grade C in the 2025-26 BCCI central contracts.
IPL Salary (2026)Rs. 14 CroreRetained by Sunrisers Hyderabad as a key player.
T20I Match FeeRs. 3 Lakh per matchIndia’s current number one-ranked T20I batter.
Per Endorsement DealRs. 6 Lakh – Rs. 8 LakhEndorses Sareen Sports, Garnier Men, and Realme India.

Abhishek Sharma: Total IPL Earnings

Across 9 IPL seasons from 2018 to 2026, Abhishek Sharma has earned an estimated Rs. 35.7 crore from the IPL. He started with Delhi Daredevils in 2018 and has played for Sunrisers Hyderabad since 2019. Here is a full season-by-season breakdown:

YearTeamSalary (INR)
2018Delhi DaredevilsRs. 55 Lakh
2019Sunrisers HyderabadRs. 55 Lakh
2020Sunrisers HyderabadRs. 55 Lakh
2021Sunrisers HyderabadRs. 55 Lakh
2022Sunrisers HyderabadRs. 6.5 Crore
2023Sunrisers HyderabadRs. 6.5 Crore
2024Sunrisers HyderabadRs. 6.5 Crore
2025Sunrisers HyderabadRs. 14 Crore
2026Sunrisers HyderabadRs. 14 Crore

The Beginning: 2018 to 2021

Abhishek Sharma first caught attention in age-group cricket. He scored 1,200 runs at an average of 109.09 in the 2015-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy, India’s domestic Under-16 tournament. He then captained India to the U-19 Asia Cup title in 2016 and played a vital role in the 2018 U-19 World Cup-winning squad.

Delhi Daredevils picked him in the 2018 IPL auction for Rs. 55 lakh. The franchise signed him just a week before the U-19 World Cup in New Zealand. Sharma made his IPL debut on May 12, 2018, and smashed 46 runs off 19 balls. It was an explosive start that turned heads across the league.

Abhishek Sharma: Total IPL Earnings
Source: ESPN Cricinfo

Delhi released him after one season. Sunrisers Hyderabad picked him up ahead of IPL 2019, again for Rs. 55 lakh. At SRH, he found a stable home. The franchise backed him through lean patches and gave him time to develop.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, Sharma worked closely with former India star Yuvraj Singh. Yuvraj mentored him, helping him refine his batting technique and mental approach. That training period proved crucial for his later development.

The Beginning: 2018 to 2021
Source: Sportscafe.in

From 2018 to 2021, Sharma earned Rs. 55 lakh per season. These years shaped his skills. He learned from senior players, adjusted to the demands of IPL cricket, and kept building his game. By 2021, he had started showing signs of the explosive batter he would become.

The Retention and Rise: 2022 to 2024

Ahead of the 2022 mega auction, Sunrisers Hyderabad retained Abhishek Sharma at Rs. 6.5 crore. That was a massive jump from his Rs. 55 lakh salary. SRH believed in his potential and rewarded his progress.

The move paid off quickly. In IPL 2022, Sharma moved up to open the innings. He scored 426 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 133.12. The promotion to the top of the order changed his game. He found his rhythm and started dominating bowling attacks.

The Retention and Rise: 2022 to 2024
Source: ESPN Cricinfo

Off the field, Sharma helped Punjab win their first-ever Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2023-24. He finished as the second-highest run-scorer of the tournament with 485 runs from 10 innings at a strike rate of 192.46, including two centuries. That performance confirmed his growing status in domestic cricket.

His 2024 IPL season was a breakout campaign. SRH captain Pat Cummins backed him to open alongside Travis Head. The pair formed one of the most destructive opening combinations in IPL history.

Sharma scored 484 runs in 16 matches at a strike rate of 204.22. He hit 42 sixes during the tournament and won the Most Sixes award. He also smashed the fastest fifty for SRH, reaching the milestone in just 16 balls against the Mumbai Indians.

IPL 2025 and 2026: The Rs 14 Crore Retention

Ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, Sunrisers Hyderabad retained Abhishek Sharma at Rs. 14 crore. This represented a 115% salary hike from his previous deal. The retention made him one of the highest-paid uncapped Indian players in IPL history at the time.

Sharma entered IPL 2025 on the back of stunning international form. He had scored a century against Zimbabwe on his T20I debut in July 2024. In February 2025, he hit a 37-ball century against England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. That innings was the second-fastest T20I century by an Indian batter.

IPL 2025 and 2026: The Rs.14 Crore Retention
Source: NDTV Sports

In IPL 2025, Sharma scored 439 runs in 13 matches. He hit his first-ever IPL century, scoring 141 off 55 balls against the Punjab Kings. That innings stands as the highest individual score by an Indian batter in IPL history and the third-highest by any batter in the league.

For IPL 2026, SRH retained Sharma at the same Rs. 14 crore. The franchise views him as a long-term cornerstone of their batting lineup. His total IPL earnings now stand at an estimated Rs. 35.7 crore across 9 seasons. From Rs. 55 lakh to Rs. 14 crore, his salary has grown by over 2,400% in under a decade.

BCCI Contract Update: Sharma’s 2025-26 Earnings Profile

On February 9, 2026, the BCCI announced the Annual Player Contracts for the 2025-26 season. The board made a significant change by scrapping the Grade A+ category that previously paid Rs. 7 crore to top players.

Under the new three-tier structure (A, B, and C), Abhishek Sharma sits in Grade C. He shares this tier with players like Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Rinku Singh, Arshdeep Singh, and Varun Chakravarthy.

BCCI Contract Update: Sharma's 2025-26 Earnings Profile
Source: IPL2026 Inside Sport

The Grade C contract pays Rs. 1 crore per year. Sharma also receives T20I match fees of Rs. 3 lakh per game. This marks his continued inclusion in the BCCI contract system after first earning a spot on a pro-rata basis during the 2024-25 cycle.

On the international stage, Sharma reached the number one spot in the ICC Men’s T20I batting rankings in 2025. He achieved the highest-ever rating points in the format’s history, with 931. He was also named Player of the Tournament at the 2025 Asia Cup after scoring 314 runs in seven innings.

Endorsements and Brand Deals

Sharma is still in the early stages of building his endorsement portfolio, but his brand value is rising fast. His position as the world’s top-ranked T20I batter makes him an attractive choice for companies targeting young audiences.

Endorsements and Brand Deals
Source: Impact Magzine

He currently endorses several brands. His list includes Sareen Sports (SS), Garnier Men, YSL Beauty, Realme India, Vadilal Ice Creams, and Birla Opus Paints. He signed his deal with Sareen Sports in July 2024, which remains his primary equipment sponsorship.

Investments and Assets
Source: YouTube

Each endorsement deal brings him between Rs. 6 lakh and Rs. 8 lakh per year. His total endorsement income remains modest compared to senior cricketers. But with his growing fame, number one T20I ranking, and appeal among younger fans, these figures are expected to rise sharply in the coming seasons.

Investments and Assets

Sharma owns a large bungalow in an upscale area of Amritsar. The property features modern design and high-quality interiors. He lives there with his family and stays connected to his roots. He also maintains a base in Chandigarh, showing early interest in real estate.

His car collection includes a BMW 320d, known for its smooth performance and luxury appeal. Reports also suggest a Ferrari Purosangue SUV is part of his family garage.

At 25, Sharma has not yet announced major investments in startups or business ventures. His focus remains on cricket and growing his income through match earnings and brand deals. With age and fame on his side, financial experts expect his investment portfolio to grow over the next few years.

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Conclusion: Abhishek Sharma’s Net Worth Is Approximately 12 To 15 CR

Abhishek Sharma’s net worth in 2025-26 is estimated between Rs. 12 crore and Rs. 15 crore.

This figure draws from 9 IPL seasons, a BCCI Grade C contract, a growing list of brand deals, and smart early investments in real estate.

He started his IPL career at Rs. 55 lakh with Delhi Daredevils in 2018. He enters the 2026 season at Rs. 14 crore with Sunrisers Hyderabad. That is a 2,400% growth in just eight years. He reached the IPL 2024 final with SRH. He scored the highest individual innings by an Indian in IPL history. He holds the highest-ever T20I batting rating. And he is only 25 years old.

The salary numbers reflect his market value. The runs and records reflect the potential of what lies ahead.

About the Author

Hey, I am a cricket writer based in London with over 7 years of experience covering everything from county championships to international showdowns. I bring a sharp eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, highlighting England’s rising stars and memorable match moments. At DurhamCricket, I deliver weekly coverage that's honest, insightful, and easy to follow—perfect for fans who live and breathe the game.

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