India star Ishan Kishan demands pay raise after World Cup triumph
India's star batter and wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan has found himself at the heart of a financial dispute with his longtime sponsor, SG.
Details: Following India's historic victory at the T20 World Cup in March 2026 and his pivotal role in the triumph, the 27-year-old's market value has soared. Reports indicate that Kishan has demanded a significant pay hike in his contract for using the SG brand on his bats, citing his new status as one of the national team's leaders.
The situation escalated after Ishan was officially named captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad in March 2026 during Pat Cummins' absence. Taking the helm of one of the IPL's most popular franchises further raised his financial expectations. However, SG, who have partnered with Kishan since 2019, rejected his new demands. As a result, fans noticed an unusual sight in recent IPL matches: the "Orange Army" captain taking the field with a plain bat, devoid of any sponsor logos.
The main argument in Kishan's negotiations has been the contract of his India teammate, Yashasvi Jaiswal, who inked a multi-million deal with CEAT starting April 1, 2026. Believing his own achievements to be equally significant, Ishan decided to follow in his colleague's footsteps.
Reminder: Emon has been ruled out for the remainder of the PSL season.
Steven Perez
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