Australia's two of the biggest cricket stars, Pat Cummins and Travis Head, have reportedly turned down whopping contracts of $10 million (INR 58 crore approx.) annually to retire from international cricket and play full-time franchise T20 leagues. As reported by The Age, an unidentified IPL franchise approached both cricketers informally, inviting them to sign multi-league deals to play for its franchises in international tournaments. Both players rejected the invitation graciously, preferring to stay committed to playing for Australia in all three formats. Cummins and Head Remain Committed to Australia The report said that the decision of both the players illustrates their commitment to playing for the national team despite the increasing financial attraction of franchise cricket. "Both Cummins and Head remain committed to playing international cricket for Australia," The Age said. The offers have triggered Cricket Australia (CA) discussions on the privatization of the Big Bash League (BBL), the nation's premier T20 competition. There is a belief that the private investors might boost player wages and attract more local and foreign talent to the league. Until now, there has been no official word from Cricket Australia, the state bodies, or the players' union about these negotiations. Also Read | Mitchell Marsh Names His All-Time ODI XI from India, Australia & England Pat Cummins' Current Salary Pat Cummins, the Australia captain in Tests and ODIs, is already among the highest-paid cricketers in the world. He was retained by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for Rs 18 crore prior to the IPL 2025 season after signing for Rs 20.5 crore in 2024 initially. Cummins is also the SRH captain in the IPL. On his Cricket Australia central contract, Cummins is paid a reported 3 million Australian dollars (INR 17.5 crore approx.) a year, inclusive of his captaincy fee. Travis Head's IPL and BBL Journey Travis Head, an attacking batter, has also been a top IPL draw. SRH acquired him for Rs 6.8 crore in the IPL 2024 auction, but he doubled his value for the 2025 season, with the franchise retaining him up for INR 14 crore. Head also appears frequently in Australia's Big Bash League and has competed in other international T20 competitions, such as the Major Cricket League (USA). Head is now preparing to play against India in the forthcoming ODI and T20I series, whereas Cummins is out of action with injuries and might even miss the Ashes series that begins in November 2025. Why the Offers Matter The IPL news reported here throw light on the increasing power and financial muscle of franchise cricket. With overseas leagues growing and IPL teams having teams in competitions such as SA20 (South Africa) and The Hundred (England), elite players now can play throughout the year without national duty. But for the time being, Cummins and Head have prioritized loyalty over lucre, a decision that has been welcomed by fans and ex-players. The development has also reopened debate about the future of global cricket as players come under mounting pressure to balance national obligations and lucrative franchise deals.