Pat Cummins playing for SRH [Source: AFP]Australia captain Pat Cummins has returned to IPL 2026 after a long layoff due to rest, recovery, and an injury-marred season after he opted out of the T20 World Cup 2026. However, amid his IPL 2026 stint, where he is currently captaining the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Australia's skipper has been offered a Cricket Australia contract extension to 2029. This exclusive Cricket Australia contract would raise Pat Cummins' earnings to around $4 million per year, which might see him lead his team for almost 21 Tests in 12 months. Cricket Australia Offers Contract Extension For Pat Cummins Till 2029The exclusive deal made by Cricket Australia will see Cummins' annual salary rise massively if he signs the long-term deal with the cricket board. For the unaware, the Test captain of Australia also came in at number 15 on a recent list of Australia's top sports earners with overall earnings of approximately $9 to $10 million last year, including commercial partnerships and Indian Premier League paychecks. And if Cummins gets on board with the deal, he might also get more guaranteed money than previously, regardless of how much he plays on the field. Also Read- 27 Runs And A Wicket! Pat Cummins And Finn Allen Deliver A Chaotic IPL 2026 OverIf Pat Cummins signs the exclusive deal with Cricket Australia, his salary might jump by about $1 million per year, and if he stays on board for the three years, the total is said to amount to approximately $12 million over three years. Notably, the average retainer for Cricket Australia's men's category has been just above $1 million a year before match fees and superannuation. CA Trying Hard To Retain Star Players With Salary BoostCA and Cummins declined to comment on the contract extension offer. However, the head of Cricket Australia, James Allsopp, spoke broadly about priorities for the contract system. “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 Speaking of the remuneration that Cricket Australia is offering, Allsop was particularly specific about making sure that all the best players are well remunerated, and that extends to the Big Bash League too. “But right now the market pressure is at the top. Everyone in Australian Cricket agrees we need to make sure that our best players are well remunerated. Our top players in the BBL are nowhere [near] compensated at the same level as our T20 competitors.So that’s something we’re really keen to address. The market pressure is coming for the top players, and we need to make sure those players continue to be committed to playing for Australia and the BBL,” Allsopp added. Travis Head, Labuschagne Offered Extensions Nevertheless, Travis Head, the national side teammate of Pat Cummins, who earned about $2.8 million from his Cricket Australia contract last year, is also said to be rewarded handsomely. He has been in talks with Cricket Australia after he turned down an offer of around $10 million to quit Australian cricket and completely take up franchise cricket full-time. Notably, Marnus Labuschagne has also been offered a three-year contract, while Cameron Green, who has recently been struggling for form in IPL 2026 as well, is still highly valued as a multi-format player. Also Read- SRH Qualification Scenario For IPL 2026 Playoffs After Win Vs PBKS
