Cricket Australia has made a bold play to keep its star captain, Pat Cummins, in the baggy green until at least 2029, reportedly offering him a massive contract extension worth around $4 million per year. This move comes as franchise cricket leagues, like the IPL, continue to wave eye-watering sums—up to $10 million annually—to lure top talent away from international duties.

At the heart of this deal is a significant pay raise for Cummins, bumping his annual earnings from Cricket Australia by roughly $1 million. Over the full three-year extension, the package is valued at approximately $12 million, not including his commercial endorsements and IPL earnings. It's a clear signal that CA is willing to go toe-to-toe with the deep pockets of franchise cricket to keep its premier fast bowler and leader in the national setup.

Cummins, who ranked 15th on a recent list of Australia's highest-paid athletes with total earnings estimated between $9 million and $10 million last year, has already shown where his loyalty lies. Earlier this year, both he and vice-captain Travis Head reportedly turned down a jaw-dropping $10 million annual offer from an IPL franchise to walk away from international cricket and commit full-time to the franchise circuit. Despite being part of Sunrisers Hyderabad's setup, both players chose to stay true to representing Australia—a decision that speaks volumes about their commitment to the national team.

But the reshuffling doesn't stop with Cummins. Test No. 3 Marnus Labuschagne is also in line for a new three-year contract, while Cameron Green—who endured a tough run of form last season—remains highly valued as a versatile all-format player. Green's CA retainer was below $1.5 million last year, and his new deal is expected to better reflect his growing importance to the squad.

One standout feature of Cummins' proposed contract is its higher base salary, designed to reward his leadership and on-field impact while making it harder for franchise leagues to pry him away. As the battle between international cricket and T20 franchises heats up, this deal is a powerful statement: Australia wants its stars to stay home, and they're willing to pay the price.