Salary of IPL commentators- Harsha Bhogle to Ravi Shastri

Being a cricket journalist who keenly analyzes every aspect of the game, a question that often surfaces in my mind is how much do commentators earn in IPL? Well, being completely unaware of it, I did thorough research and have brought out some fascinating facts about the salary of IPL commentators. 

• Lucrative Salaries – Top commentators earn between ₹80 lacks to ₹2 crores per season while emerging and regional commentators make ₹10 lakh to ₹80 lakh.
• Diverse Role – Beyond match narration, they conduct toss, pre/post-match presentations, and provide expert analysis.
• Perks & Challenges – Enjoy global recognition, networking, and luxury perks but face long hours, constant travel, and public scrutiny.
• Growing Demand – With IPL’s expansion and regional commentary, opportunities for commentators are increasing.

IPL commentators’ salary is a topic that often sparks curiosity amongst cricket lovers as their role is instrumental in enhancing the viewers’ experience. In this blog, we will take a deep dive into the fascinating world of IPL commentators, their earnings, and the factors that influence and frame up their salaries. 

The role of IPL commentators: More than just normal match narrators

Before we delve into the monetary numbers, let’s take a closer look at their role in the world’s biggest cricket league, which gathers stalwarts and raw talent from all across the globe. 

• Providing commentary of live action as well as conducting toss, pre and post match presentations.
  
  
• Breaking down team’s strategies, analyzing players’ performances, match situations and offering expert analysis.
  
  
• Adding humor and excitement to keep the players hooked by maintaining constant engagement with the fans.
  

Considering the high-pressure and ever-evolving situations of the IPL fixtures, which require a high level of word reflexes, commentary is not an easy task. This requires a very deep knowledge and understanding of the game, excellent communication skills, and most importantly, the ability to engage with a diverse audience. 

How much do IPL commentators earn?

The defined salary structure of IPL commentators is often kept confidential by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). However, the salary amount of these commentators is often based on their experience, popularity, and their role in the commentary box. 

Top-tier commentators

The most experienced and renowned voices in the IPL are the ones who generally bag the highest amount of money in the form of salaries. This pool often comprises former cricket legends and seasoned broadcasters with a huge chunk of experience. 

• Harsha Bhogle – Widely hailed as the “voice of Indian cricket”, it would not be wrong to consider Harsha Bhogle as one of the most reputed and well-spoken commentators of the world. According to various reports, Harsha earns about ₹1 crore to ₹2 crore per season.
  
  
• Sunil Gavaskar – Legendary Indian cricketer and a strong voice, Sunil Gavaskar often steals the limelight for their peculiar comments on players and match situations. The former Indian batter reportedly earns around  ₹1.2 crore to ₹1.5 crore per season.
  
  
• Danny Morrison – Another big name in the realm of commentary, Danny Morrison is recognized for his funny and energetic presentation style.  The former New Zealand International is rumored to earn around ₹1 crore to ₹1.2 crore per season. 

• Ravi Shastri – The former head coach and a big name in the Indian cricketing circuit, Ravi Shastri, reportedly bags around ₹80 Lakhs to ₹1 crore per season. 

Emerging commentators pool

This pool of commentators generally has the name of young and dynamic presenters with little or no experience of covering sporting affairs. Though they earn less than their senior counterparts, this pool still commands a respectable amount of money. 

• Jatin Sapru – A well-known face in Indian sports broadcasting, Jatin Sapru is recognized for his off-field podcasts with players whenever an IPL season goes on.  He earns around ₹50 Lakhs to ₹80 Lakhs per season.
  
  
• Murali Karthik – A Former Indian spinner who has recently donned the presentation outfit, Karthik earns around  ₹30 Lakhs to ₹50 Lakhs per season. 

Regional and Local Commentators

IPL also features regional commentators to cater to a wide and diverse chunk of Indian audiences. Their salary is comparatively low but is still lucrative. These professionals usually bag around ₹10 Lakhs to ₹20 Lakhs per season, depending on their experience and popularity. 

Perks and challenges of being an IPL commentator

While IPL commentators enjoy several perks, this job comes with its own set of challenges.

    Perks

• As IPL is being watched by millions of fans worldwide, commentators enjoy global exposure and a high level of visibility.
  
  
• Their constant interactions with cricketers, coaches, and industry professionals serve them with a good platform to develop their networks, which could pave the way for new heights in their careers.
  
  
• While they are provided with free travel and luxury accommodations, some of the popular names enjoy the opportunity to leverage their popularity for endorsements and brand deals.  

 Challenges

• Commentators often work for an extended period of time, especially in the instance when there are double headers (two games in a single day).
  
  
• While their constant engagements during the game sometimes become physically and mentally exhausting, constantly moving to different cities during the tournament seems hectic.
  
  
• Commentators often come on the radar of fans for their intriguing opinions on players and matches. 

Conclusion

There is no doubt that commenters have been an integral part of IPL’s success over the years. As the tournament continues to grow, the need and demand for more skilled commentators are only going to increase. Additionally, the introduction of regional commentary is creating more opportunities for more commentators to join the league.