In six seasons, the player has appeared in only 61 matches

Some people never get what they deserve, while others get more than they deserve. In short, the world is mysterious. The Indian Premier League (IPL) is no different: in this tournament, we see so many talented and consistent performers sold at base prices in lakhs, whereas some players with a very limited number of performances earn in crores.

This article highlights the earnings of one such player who has earned more than five lakh Indian rupees for a single run.

IPL stats

Representing the Gujarat Titans this season, the player in question made his IPL debut in 2021 and has since played only 61 matches. 2023 and 2025 were the only seasons in which he played all 14 games, whereas in the other seasons, he played fewer than 11 games for various reasons.

Shahrukh Khan gone for 17 off 13 Balls.

GT 86-8 pic.twitter.com/guyVtA8FL5

— Maina Singh (@Maina_Singhx77) April 20, 2026

In 61 matches, the player has scored 767 runs, averaging 20.73 and striking at 148.64. He has two half-centuries to his name, coupled with 48 boundaries and 52 maximums.

Math isn’t mathing

Since joining the IPL, the player has so far earned INR 38.65 crore from auction salary. In 2021, Punjab Kings paid INR 5.25 crore, followed by INR 9 crore in the next two seasons. In 2024, he joined the Titans at INR 7.40 crore, and since last year, his salary has been INR 4 crore in both seasons.

 

If INR 38.65 crore is divided by 767 runs he has scored so far in the tournament, his one run is equivalent to INR 5,03,911.34. This amount stands without the match fee he receives after the game, which is said to be INR 7.50 lakh.

Finisher

Gujarat Titans’ Shah Rukh Khan is considered a finisher and therefore, it is understandable that he doesn’t get to face a huge number of deliveries. However, the IPL has numerous finishers who can keep a strike rate of 180-190 in the death overs, whereas Khan’s average strike rate stands below 150.

https://x.com/Manzurshaban123/status/2046417847036100869

His best performance in the tournament includes a highest score of 58 against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in 30 balls, which is impressive. However, one cannot ignore the fact that in the IPL, players are often scoring 40–50 runs on 15 balls or so.

Continued backing

Watch: Gujarat Titans batting all-rounder Shahrukh Khan says, "It is obviously a different role altogether. I wouldn't say that this position is good or that position is good. As professionals, it's important that we adapt to any situation, as I told you. At number four,… pic.twitter.com/PW0PCufIaK

— IANS (@ians_india) April 21, 2026

Similar to other seasons, in the ongoing edition, too, Khan is being backed despite scoring 35 runs in 25 balls faced across the six matches he has played so far. In our book of thoughts, Khan's performance cannot justify the hefty amount he receives, especially given that India is a country where champion sportspeople in other sports do not receive such a monetary benefit.

Therefore, his salary is beyond our comprehension, but at the end of the day, the management of IPL teams, the Gujarat Titans in this case, knows better.