Kunal Rathore is one of Indian cricket’s most exciting young talents — a left-handed wicketkeeper-batter who became the first cricketer from Kota, Rajasthan, to earn an IPL contract.
But beyond the cricket field, fans want to know: what is Kunal Rathore’s net worth in 2026, and how much has he earned so far in his career?
This article breaks down his verified salary, IPL contract history, career earnings, and estimated net worth — all based on real, available data.
Kunal Rathore’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kunal Singh Ajay Rathore |
| Date of Birth | October 9, 2002 |
| Age | 23 Years |
| Birthplace | Kota, Rajasthan, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Height | 5’9″ (175 cm) |
| Position | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Batting Style | Left-Handed |
| Current Team | Rajasthan Royals (IPL), Rajasthan (Domestic) |
| IPL Debut | May 4, 2025 vs Kolkata Knight Riders |
| Nicknames | Tillu, Kunnu |
| Estimated Net Worth | ₹55 Lakhs (approx.) |
| IPL Salary | ₹30 Lakhs |
| @kunal_sr_09 |
Early Life & Career
Kunal Singh Rathore was born on October 9, 2002, in Kota, Rajasthan — a city better known for engineering coaching institutes than cricket academies.
Growing up in a middle-class family, he first walked onto a cricket ground at just eight years old, tagging along with his elder brother Dikshant to a local ground in Kota.
That casual visit sparked a love for the game that would eventually take him to one of India’s most celebrated IPL franchises.
Initially, Rathore dreamed of becoming a fast bowler, inspired by the flamboyant S. Sreesanth.
However, he quickly realized that fast bowlers rarely got batting opportunities during practice sessions, so he switched to wicketkeeping — a move that proved to be the making of his career.
By the age of ten, he had already attempted his first Under-14 trials, though he wasn’t selected.
His father recognized his determination and took him to Jaipur, where he joined Sanskar Academy before moving to GR Academy under the guidance of coach Chandan Choudhary.
The shift in training environment was transformative. He also attended the Rajasthan Royals Academy camp in Nagpur as an under-17 player, where he trained under Zubin Bharucha, the Royals’ Director of High Performance.
Those early years of structured training laid the foundation for the consistent domestic performer he would later become.
Professional Career
Kunal Rathore made his senior domestic T20 debut in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on October 11, 2022, against Madhya Pradesh.
He scored 15 runs off just 8 balls in his debut innings, showing the aggressive stroke-play that would become his trademark.
By the end of that tournament, he had scored 147 runs across seven matches at an average of 36.75 and a strike rate of 128.94 — numbers that immediately turned heads across Indian cricket.
Those performances earned him his first IPL contract with Rajasthan Royals ahead of the 2023 season, at his base price of ₹20 lakh.
As reported by the Times of India, he became the first cricketer from Kota, Rajasthan, to bag an IPL deal — a historic moment for the city.
Though he didn’t get a chance to play in IPL 2023 or 2024, the dressing room experience alongside players like Sanju Samson and Jos Buttler proved valuable.
During the 2023-24 domestic season, Rathore elevated his game considerably. He scored 250 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and registered 24 dismissals as a wicketkeeper, helping Rajasthan reach the tournament final.
He also hit a remarkable 156 in first-class cricket against Manipur, establishing himself as a genuine multi-format prospect.
The Rajasthan Royals retained their faith and signed him for ₹30 lakh in the IPL 2025 auction.
He finally made his long-awaited IPL debut on May 4, 2025, against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens — a milestone moment for the young cricketer from Kota.
Kunal Rathore’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Kunal Rathore has an estimated net worth of ₹55 lakhs (approximately $65,000 USD).
He built this wealth primarily through his IPL contracts with Rajasthan Royals across the 2023, 2024, and 2025 seasons, combined with earnings from Rajasthan’s domestic cricket circuit.
Contract
Kunal Rathore has been associated exclusively with Rajasthan Royals since entering the IPL ecosystem.
The franchise first signed him for ₹20 lakh ahead of the 2023 season, retained him at the same fee for 2024, released him after the season, and then re-acquired him at ₹30 lakh in the IPL 2025 mini-auction — a clear signal of their confidence in his long-term potential.
In domestic cricket, he represents Rajasthan across all three formats and has also played for the Bhilwara Bulls in the Rajasthan Premier League.
Salary
Kunal Rathore’s IPL salary has grown progressively since his first contract.
Rajasthan Royals paid him ₹20 lakh per season in both 2023 and 2024, before raising his fee to ₹30 lakh for the 2025 season — a 50% increase that reflects his improved domestic performances.
In domestic cricket, players in Rajasthan’s state setup earn Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) contract fees, which vary by grade; exact figures for Rathore have not been officially disclosed.
Career Earnings by Year
| Year | Team | Contract/Earnings (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Rajasthan Royals (IPL) | ₹20 Lakhs |
| 2024 | Rajasthan Royals (IPL) | ₹20 Lakhs |
| 2025 | Rajasthan Royals (IPL) | ₹30 Lakhs |
| Total IPL Earnings | ₹70 Lakhs |
Career Statistics
| Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | 50s | 100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-Class | 15 | 19 | 580 | 156 vs Manipur | 30.52 | 68.88 | 2 | 1 |
| List A | 16 | 15 | 404 | 79 vs Haryana | 36.72 | 102.02 | 3 | 0 |
| T20 (Domestic) | 13 | 13 | 254 | 61* vs Vidarbha | 31.75 | 134.39 | 1 | 0 |
| IPL | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 vs KKR | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 |
FAQs
What is Kunal Rathore’s net worth?
Kunal Rathore’s estimated net worth in 2026 is approximately ₹55 lakhs. He earned this primarily through his three IPL contracts with Rajasthan Royals totaling ₹70 lakhs, along with domestic cricket income.
How much does Kunal Rathore earn per IPL season?
Rajasthan Royals signed him for ₹30 lakh in the 2025 IPL auction, up from ₹20 lakh in 2023 and 2024. His IPL salary has grown 50% as his domestic performances improved.
When did Kunal Rathore make his IPL debut?
He made his IPL debut on May 4, 2025, against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, playing for Rajasthan Royals. He scored 0 runs off 5 balls in that match.
Where is Kunal Rathore from?
Kunal Rathore is from Kota, Rajasthan, India. He is historically the first cricketer from Kota to earn an IPL contract, signing with Rajasthan Royals in 2023.
What is Kunal Rathore’s highest score in domestic cricket?
His highest score in first-class cricket is 156 against Manipur. In List A cricket, he scored 79 against Haryana, and his domestic T20 best is 61* against Vidarbha.
