Even as cricket viewers had hoped that RCB’s former captain Virat Kohli or CSK’s captain MS Dhoni would be receiving the highest salary following their retention by their respective teams, three other players will be the highest paid in the 15th edition of IPL.

CSK’s Ravindra Jadeja, Mumbai Indians’ Rohit Sharma, and Delhi Capitals’ Rishabh Pant would be receiving Rs 16 crore each while Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Kane Williamson, who has been retained for Rs 14 crore, is the highest paid overseas player. MS Dhoni, who is CSK’s second retention, will be receiving Rs 12 crore.

Each franchise had been allowed to retain four of their players ahead of the mega auction. The respective franchises were allowed to retain either three Indian players and one overseas player or two Indian players and two overseas players.

A total salary cap of Rs 90 crore has been made available at the mega auction for each team. As per BCCI’s retention rules, franchises have been charged Rs 16 crore for the first player they retain, Rs 12 crore for the second player, Rs 8 crore for the third player and Rs 6 crore for the fourth player.

In case a franchise retained four players, Rs 42 crore was deducted from the total purse. For three retentions, 33 crore was deducted, while for two retentions, the purse amount reduced by Rs 24 crore and in case of one retention, Rs 14 crore was deducted.