IPL umpiring can generate earnings of up to ₹50 lakh (approx. US$53K) in a single season before additional domestic cricket income is taken into account, former International Umpire Anil Chaudhary revealed while speaking on the Top Angle with Sushant Sinha podcast.
The figures provide a rare insight into the financial rewards available to elite match officials in one of cricket’s most commercially successful competitions. Beyond regular league fixtures, appointments for the playoffs and final, together with domestic cricket assignments, can substantially increase an umpire’s annual income.
IPL appointments can significantly increase earnings
Chaudhary, who retired from international and IPL umpiring in 2025 after officiating in several ICC tournaments, outlined how payments increase as officials progress deeper into the tournament.
Former International Umpire Anil Chaudhary said on the Top Angle with Sushant Sinha podcast: “It is 4000 dollars per match. If you do playoffs, it is 6000 dollars. If you do final, it is 8000 dollars. Plus DA (daily allowance) is around 6000 dollars. An average umpire who officiates in the IPL ends up earning around Rs 45-50 lakh in one season. Plus if you are doing domestic cricket and are one of the leading umpires, that is another Rs 20-25 lakh.”
Based on Chaudhary’s figures, leading umpires can also add around ₹25 lakh (approx. US$26K) through domestic cricket, further increasing their annual earnings alongside IPL appointments.
International cricket follows a different payment model
Chaudhary also explained how payments work in international cricket. “You get around Rs 2 lakh for a T20I game. Rs 8 lakh for a Test match. It does not matter if the match is abandoned. The umpire’s payment will not be dependent on whether the match takes place or not,” he added.
Rare insight into cricket’s officiating profession
Financial details relating to elite cricket officiating are rarely disclosed publicly, making Chaudhary’s comments one of the clearest explanations of how officials are compensated across both the IPL and international cricket.
His remarks also illustrate how officiating at the highest levels of the game can provide multiple income streams through franchise tournaments, international assignments and domestic competitions, with postseason appointments in the IPL carrying the highest match fees.
