Kamlesh Nagarkoti burst onto the cricket scene as one of the most exciting young fast bowlers India had produced in years.
His ability to consistently clock speeds above 140 kph caught everyone’s attention at the 2018 Under-19 World Cup, and a massive IPL contract followed almost immediately. But injuries slowed his progress significantly.
Now, as he works his way back through the ranks, fans and followers want to know — what is Kamlesh Nagarkoti’s net worth, and how much has he earned from his IPL career?
This article breaks down his salary history, contract details, career earnings, and everything in between.
Kamlesh Nagarkoti’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kamlesh Lachham Nagarkoti |
| Date of Birth | December 28, 1999 |
| Age | 26 years |
| Birthplace | Barmer, Rajasthan, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.73 m) |
| Weight | 55 kg |
| Position | Right-arm fast bowler; Right-handed batsman |
| Current IPL Team | Chennai Super Kings (2025) |
| Domestic Team | Rajasthan |
| Turned Professional | 2017 |
| Net Worth | ~$2 million (approx. ₹16–17 crore) |
| Total IPL Earnings | ₹15.30 crore |
| Relationship Status | Unmarried |
| Father | Lachham Singh Nagarkoti (Retired Honorary Captain) |
| @kl_nagarkoti_5 |
Early Life & Career
Kamlesh Nagarkoti was born on December 28, 1999, in Barmer, a desert district in Rajasthan, India.
He grew up in a middle-class Kumauni Rajput family and was raised in Jaipur.
His father, Lachham Singh Nagarkoti, is a retired Honorary Captain in the Indian Army, which instilled discipline and resilience in Kamlesh from an early age.
The young Nagarkoti was discovered playing in a Jaipur maidan by coach Surendra Rathore, who immediately recognized his raw pace and natural ability with the ball. Rathore enrolled him in a cricket academy and guided his early development.
His talent was obvious — he bowled faster than most teenagers in the country, and his action generated steep bounce alongside dangerous pace.
He made his List A debut for Rajasthan in the 2016–17 Vijay Hazare Trophy on February 26, 2017.
Just two days later, he did something no Rajasthan bowler had ever done before — he took a hat-trick in List A cricket against Gujarat.
That breakthrough performance introduced him to the broader cricketing world and confirmed that this young pacer from Barmer was something special.
His next big stage came on the India Under-19 tour of England, where he emerged as the leading wicket-taker with 14 scalps across two Youth Tests — including a match haul of 10 for 112 in the first Test in Chesterfield.
His performances there earned him a place in India’s 2018 U19 World Cup squad, which India went on to win.
Professional Career
Nagarkoti’s performances in the U19 World Cup made IPL franchises take notice immediately.
According to ESPNCricinfo, he was among the quickest young bowlers in Indian cricket, regularly clocking above 140 kph — a benchmark that very few Indian pacers consistently hit.
In January 2018, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) bought him at the IPL auction for ₹3.2 crore — a significant sum for an uncapped teenager. However, a persistent back injury denied him his debut that season.
KKR retained him for subsequent seasons, but injury setbacks kept disrupting his progress. He finally played in the 2020 IPL, featuring in 10 matches and taking 5 wickets.
In 2021, he managed just one game before being released by KKR.
In the 2022 IPL auction, the Delhi Capitals picked him up for ₹1.10 crore. He played one match for Delhi that season without taking a wicket.
Back injuries resurfaced in 2023, and he was released without playing. He went unsold at the 2024 auction.
His big comeback came at the IPL 2025 mega auction, where the Chennai Super Kings bought him at his base price of ₹30 lakh.
According to India Today, Nagarkoti described himself as injury-free and was thrilled about the opportunity to play alongside MS Dhoni at CSK.
However, as CricTracker reported, he was underutilised during the 2025 IPL season despite showing excellent economy rates in domestic cricket.
On the domestic front, Nagarkoti has represented Rajasthan in First-Class, List A, and T20 formats consistently and has taken 34 List A wickets at an average of 26.38.
His domestic performances, particularly his economy rate of 6.70 in the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, suggest he remains a capable pacer when fit.
Kamlesh Nagarkoti’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Kamlesh Nagarkoti’s has an estimated net worth of $2 million (approximately ₹16–17 crore).
He built this wealth primarily through his IPL contracts with Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Capitals, and Chennai Super Kings, along with his earnings from Rajasthan domestic cricket.
Contract
Nagarkoti’s IPL journey began with a high-value KKR contract in 2018. The Kolkata Knight Riders retained him across four IPL seasons (2018–2021) at ₹3.2 crore per season — a remarkable show of faith despite his injury-ridden tenure.
Following his KKR release, Delhi Capitals signed him for ₹1.10 crore in 2022.
He returned to IPL at the minimum base price of ₹30 lakh with Chennai Super Kings for the 2025 season — a reflection of his need to rebuild his value in the league. His total IPL income across all contracts stands at ₹15.30 crore.
Salary
Nagarkoti’s IPL salary peaked during his KKR years at ₹3.2 crore per season. His earnings dropped substantially after multiple injuries reduced his market value.
At CSK in 2025, he earned ₹30 lakh — the standard base price. Beyond IPL, he earns match fees and daily allowances from BCCI for Rajasthan domestic cricket appearances across Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
His estimated annual income through domestic cricket and IPL combined is in the range of ₹50–80 lakh per active season.
Career Earnings By Year
| Year | IPL Team | IPL Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Kolkata Knight Riders | ₹3.20 crore (did not play) |
| 2019 | Kolkata Knight Riders | ₹3.20 crore (did not play) |
| 2020 | Kolkata Knight Riders | ₹3.20 crore |
| 2021 | Kolkata Knight Riders | ₹3.20 crore |
| 2022 | Delhi Capitals | ₹1.10 crore |
| 2023 | Delhi Capitals | ₹1.10 crore (did not play) |
| 2024 | — | Unsold |
| 2025 | Chennai Super Kings | ₹30 lakh |
| Total | ₹15.30 crore |
Career Statistics
| Format | Matches | Innings | Wickets | Avg | Economy | SR | BBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-Class | 3 | 5 | 7 | 42.28 | 4.14 | 61.1 | 2/35 |
| List A | 25 | 25 | 34 | 26.38 | 4.83 | 32.7 | 4/42 |
| T20 (Domestic) | 32 | 31 | 29 | 27.06 | 7.75 | 20.9 | 3/14 |
| IPL | 12 | — | 5 | 57.00 | 9.50 | — | — |
Batting
| Format | Matches | Runs | HS | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-Class | 3 | 29 | 12 | 5.80 | 26.12 |
| List A | 25 | 177 | 56* | 13.61 | 67.81 |
| T20 (Domestic) | 32 | 109 | 39 | 9.90 | 85.82 |
| IPL | 12 | 22 | 8* | 5.50 | 66.66 |
FAQs
What is Kamlesh Nagarkoti’s net worth?
Kamlesh Nagarkoti’s estimated net worth is $2 million, equivalent to approximately ₹16–17 crore. His IPL contracts account for the bulk of his wealth, with total IPL earnings reaching ₹15.30 crore.
Which IPL team does Kamlesh Nagarkoti play?
Chennai Super Kings bought him at the IPL 2025 mega auction for ₹30 lakh — his base price. It marked his return to the IPL after going unsold in the 2024 auction.
How much did KKR pay Kamlesh Nagarkoti?
Kolkata Knight Riders bought Nagarkoti for ₹3.2 crore at the 2018 IPL auction and retained him for four consecutive seasons (2018–2021), paying him that same fee each year despite injury absences.
Has Kamlesh Nagarkoti played for the Indian national team?
He represented India U19 with distinction, including as a key bowler in the 2018 U19 World Cup-winning squad, but his repeated injury setbacks have kept him away from senior selection.
What makes Kamlesh Nagarkoti stand out as a bowler?
He consistently bowls above 140 kph, which makes him one of the fastest domestic bowlers in India. He also took the first-ever hat-trick for Rajasthan in List A cricket, which showcases his natural wicket-taking ability.
