Pat Cummins, captain of Australia’s Test and ODI teams, has reportedly been offered a massive long-term contract worth around USD 12 million to ensure his continued availability for national duty, particularly in Test cricket.
According to a report by the Sydney Morning Herald, the proposed deal would run for three years and earn Cummins approximately USD 4 million annually. The move comes amid growing concerns within Australian cricket over the increasing financial pull of franchise T20 leagues around the world.
Cummins is currently representing Sunrisers Hyderabad in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026 season.
Cricket Australia Looking To Protect Multi-Format Stars
The reported offer reflects Cricket Australia‘s strategy to retain its biggest all-format stars as franchise leagues continue to offer eye-watering contracts.
Earlier reports had suggested that an IPL franchise offered Cummins an AUD 10 million deal — roughly USD 6.6 million — to step away from Australian cricket and become a full-time global T20 league player.
Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Cricket Australia head of cricket James Allsopp admitted that the board faces a difficult balancing act while trying to keep its leading players committed to the national setup.
“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,” Allsopp said.
He also highlighted the growing market demand for elite multi-format cricketers such as Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Travis Head.
“It is a really tricky balancing act. One thing we do know is that the market pressure is coming at the players who drive the most commercial value. Your multi-format players like Pat, Josh and Trav, there’s a lot of demand for those players. So ensuring they remain committed to Australian cricket is a really big priority,” he added.
The report further stated that Cummins’ proposed payout would not necessarily depend on the number of matches he plays for Australia.
Cummins Leads SRH To Top Of IPL Table
Meanwhile, Cummins continues to impress on the field in IPL 2026. The Australian skipper played a key role in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s 33-run victory over Punjab Kings at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Wednesday.
The win helped SRH climb to the top of the IPL points table despite a fighting unbeaten century from Cooper Connolly for Punjab Kings.
Cummins, who was named Player of the Match for his bowling performance, praised his team’s all-round display after the game.
“I think Punjab are a really good side, they were number one coming into this. I thought the batters to get up to what we did was sensational,” Cummins said during the post-match presentation.
“Bowling second against a side like that is always tough, but I thought we were quite clinical,” he added.
Growing Challenge For International Cricket
The reported contract offer underlines a broader issue facing international cricket boards worldwide — how to retain top players amid the rapid growth of franchise leagues.
With tournaments across India, Australia, South Africa, the UAE and the United States offering increasingly lucrative deals, national boards are being forced to rethink player contracts and long-term retention strategies.
For Australia, retaining a leader like Cummins — both as a world-class fast bowler and as captain — appears to be a top priority.