Joshua Little made history as the first Irish cricketer to earn an IPL contract. The left arm fast bowler from Dublin has quickly become an important player for Gujarat Titans. In this detailed guide, we cover everything about Joshua Little’s IPL salary, his journey from net bowler to professional player, and what makes him valuable in the league.
Joshua Little IPL Salary 2025: Gujarat Titans Contract
Joshua Little played for Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2023 and 2024 season. The franchise has kept faith in the Irish pacer after his decent performances in previous seasons.
IPL 2024 Salary Details:
- Team: Gujarat Titans
- Salary: ₹4.4 crore
- Contract Type: Retained
- Role: Left arm fast bowler
Gujarat Titans decided to retain Joshua Little for the same amount they paid in previous years. This shows the team values his skills and wants to build on his potential. Little brings a unique left arm angle that troubles right handed batters. His ability to swing the new ball makes him a useful option in the powerplay overs.
At 26 years old, Little is still young and has room to grow. The Titans management believes he can become more consistent with experience. His salary of ₹4.4 crore is reasonable for an overseas bowler who can contribute in crucial moments.
Complete IPL Salary History:
Joshua Little’s IPL career is still relatively short but significant. Here’s his complete salary breakdown since joining the league:
| Season | Team | Salary (INR Crore) | Type |
| 2023 | Gujarat Titans | 4.4 | Auction |
| 2024 | Gujarat Titans | 4.4 | Retained |
1. IPL 2023 Salary: Gujarat Titans (₹4.4 Crore)
Joshua Little created history in December 2022 when Gujarat Titans bought him for ₹4.4 crore at the IPL auction in Kochi. This made him the first Irish player ever to sign an IPL contract. His base price was only ₹50 lakh, but a bidding war between Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans pushed the price to ₹4.4 crore nearly 9 times his base price. The defending champions saw potential in the left arm pacer after his brilliant 2022 T20 World Cup performance where he took 11 wickets including a hat trick against New Zealand. Little played 10 matches in his debut season, taking 7 wickets. While not spectacular, he showed glimpses of his ability and helped Gujarat reach the final.
2. IPL 2024 Salary: Gujarat Titans (₹4.4 Crore)
Gujarat Titans retained Joshua Little for the same salary of ₹4.4 crore in 2024. The team showed faith in the young Irish bowler despite his limited game time in 2023. Little got only one match in IPL 2024, but he made it count with a spectacular performance. Playing against Royal Challengers Bangalore at Chinnaswamy Stadium, he took 4 wickets for 45 runs in his 4 overs. He dismissed dangerous batters like Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell, Rajat Patidar, and Cameron Green. This match winning spell proved why Gujarat Titans paid him ₹4.4 crore. It showed his ability to deliver when given opportunities, even if those chances were rare.
Total IPL Earnings: ₹ 8.8 crore (across 2 seasons)
Little’s salary has remained stable at ₹4.4 crore throughout his IPL career. This consistency shows Gujarat Titans are happy with his value for money. Unlike some players whose salaries fluctuate wildly, Little has established a steady earning pattern.
His base price at the 2023 auction was just ₹50 lakh. Gujarat Titans paid 8.8 times more than his base price, showing how much they wanted him. This was a huge jump and reflected his strong performance in the 2022 T20 World Cup.
How Joshua Little Became First Irish Player in IPL?
Joshua Little’s journey to the IPL is a story of hard work and determination. His path to becoming Ireland’s first IPL cricketer was not easy.
- Early Days: Little made his international debut at just 16 years old in 2016 against Hong Kong. This made him one of the youngest players to debut in international cricket. He came through Ireland’s cricket development program and showed promise from a young age.
- The Turning Point 2022 T20 World Cup: Little’s breakthrough came at the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. He took 11 wickets in the tournament and became the leading wicket taker for Ireland. His most memorable moment was taking a hat trick against New Zealand by dismissing Kane Williamson, James Neesham, and Mitchell Santner. This performance put him on the radar of IPL scouts.
- Net Bowler to IPL Player: Before getting his contract, Little served as a net bowler for Chennai Super Kings in 2022. This experience gave him a taste of the IPL atmosphere and helped him understand Indian conditions. When Gujarat Titans picked him for ₹4.4 crore in December 2022, it was a dream come true.
- Historic Moment: The IPL 2023 auction in Kochi saw Little become the first Irish player ever to get an IPL contract. A bidding war between Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans pushed his price to ₹4.4 crore. This was a historic moment not just for Little but for Irish cricket.
Performance Analysis: Has He Justified His Salary?
When we look at Joshua Little’s performances compared to his salary, the results are mixed but promising.
IPL 2023 Performance:
- Matches: 10
- Wickets: 7
- Economy Rate: 8.65
- Average: 35.71
- Best Figures: 3/22
- Role: Supporting bowler
Little’s debut season was decent but not spectacular. He was part of Gujarat Titans’ title defending campaign. The team reached the final, and Little contributed when given opportunities. However, he wasn’t a regular starter, which limited his impact.
IPL 2024 Performance:
- Matches: 1
- Wickets: 4
- Economy Rate: 11.25
- Best Figures: 4/45
- Highlight: Match winning spell against RCB
Little got very limited chances in 2024. However, when he played against Royal Challengers Bangalore, he grabbed the opportunity. His 4 wicket haul included dismissing dangerous batters like Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell, Rajat Patidar, and Cameron Green. This performance showed his potential when given a proper chance.
Value for Money Assessment: At ₹4.4 crore, Little hasn’t been a bargain but also hasn’t been overpriced. His limited game time means we haven’t seen his full potential. Gujarat Titans clearly see something special in him to keep retaining him. The team values having a left arm option who can swing the new ball.
Factors That Influenced Joshua Little’s IPL Salary:
The IPL salary of Joshua Little has been shaped by performance, skill uniqueness, market value, and team strategy. His rise in T20 cricket and ability to deliver in pressure situations made franchises view him as both a tactical and long term investment.
Here are the several key factors that influenced his IPL salary:
- International Performance: His 2022 T20 World Cup performance was crucial. Taking 39 wickets in T20Is in 2022 made him the highest wicket taker for any Irish bowler in a calendar year. This established his credentials as a quality T20 bowler.
- Left Arm Advantage: Left arm fast bowlers are rare and valuable in T20 cricket. They create different angles and trouble right handed batters. This uniqueness adds to Little’s value. Teams always want variety in their bowling attack.
- Age and Potential: At 23 when he was first bought, Little was young with huge potential. Teams invest in young players hoping they will improve with IPL exposure. His age made him an attractive long term prospect.
- T20 League Experience: Before IPL, Little played in other T20 leagues including The Hundred, Lanka Premier League, and SA20. This experience showed he could adapt to different conditions. His performances in these leagues proved he deserved an IPL chance.
- First Irish Player Tag: Being the first Irish cricketer in IPL added novelty value. It opened a new market and created interest among Irish cricket fans. This commercial angle also influenced his auction price.
- Team Requirements: Gujarat Titans needed a left arm pacer who could bowl with the new ball. Little fit their requirements perfectly. When a player matches team needs, his value increases in auctions.
Comparing Joshua Little with Other Young Fast Bowlers:
Young overseas fast bowlers have become valuable assets in the IPL, with franchises investing heavily in pace, death over skills, and wicket taking ability. Salaries often reflect not just performance but also potential, match impact, and team requirements. Comparing contracts shows how teams value different skill sets among emerging pacers.
Here are the salary comparisons among young overseas fast bowlers:
- Joshua Little: ₹4.4 crore (Ireland, 26 years)
- Marco Jansen: ₹4.2 crore (South Africa, 24 years)
- Gerald Coetzee: ₹2.4 crore (South Africa, 23 years)
- Matheesha Pathirana: ₹18 crore (Sri Lanka, 22 years)
- Spencer Johnson: ₹10 crore (Australia, 28 years)
Little’s salary is in the mid range for young overseas fast bowlers. He earns more than some but significantly less than breakout stars like Pathirana. This reflects his status as a promising player who needs more consistent performances to command higher salaries.
What Sets Little Apart?
- Left arm angle creates different challenges for batters
- Ability to swing the ball both ways
- Experience in multiple T20 leagues worldwide
- Still developing and has scope to improve
- Represents an emerging cricket nation
Room for Growth: If Little can become a regular in Gujarat Titans’ playing eleven and deliver match winning performances, his salary could increase significantly. One outstanding IPL season could double or triple his market value in future auctions.
Total Career Earnings and Financial Impact:
Joshua Little has earned substantial money from his IPL contracts despite his short career in the league.
IPL Earnings Breakdown:
- 2023 Season: ₹4.4 crore
- 2024 Season: ₹4.4 crore
Total IPL Income: ₹ 8.8 crore
This is impressive for someone who has played only 11 IPL matches so far. Little earns more per match than many established Indian domestic cricketers earn in entire careers.
Impact on Irish Cricket: Little’s IPL contract has had a positive impact beyond his personal finances. It has put Irish cricket on the global map. Young cricketers in Ireland now have an IPL dream to chase. His success has shown that players from Associate nations can make it to the biggest T20 league.
Other T20 League Earnings: Besides IPL, Little plays in other leagues:
- PSL (Pakistan Super League) though injury ruled him out
- SA20 (Pretoria Capitals)
- ILT20 (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders)
- The Hundred (Manchester Originals)
- T20 Blast (Middlesex)
These contracts add to his total T20 franchise earnings, making him one of the highest earning Irish cricketers ever.
What to Expect from Joshua Little in Future IPL Seasons?
Joshua Little has already shown flashes of quality in the IPL, and the coming seasons could be crucial in shaping his role as a dependable overseas pacer. With experience in Indian conditions growing and exposure to high pressure matches increasing, he has the opportunity to turn potential into consistent impact for his franchise.
Fans can expect the following developments in his IPL journey:
Immediate Performance Targets:
- Become a regular in the playing eleven
- Improve consistency with the new ball
- Work on death bowling skills
- Reduce economy rate below 8.5
- Target 15+ wickets in a full season
Challenges to Overcome:
- Competition from other overseas bowlers
- Need to adapt to different Indian pitches
- Managing workload across multiple T20 leagues
- Handling pressure of being Ireland’s only IPL player
- Converting potential into consistent performances
Strengths to Build On: Little has natural advantages that can help him succeed. His left arm angle is always useful. He can swing the ball both ways, which is rare. His height (6 feet) helps him generate bounce. These qualities just need better execution.
Learning from Gujarat Titans: Playing under Hardik Pandya and coach Ashish Nehra provides great learning opportunities. Little can also learn from teammate Rashid Khan, one of the best T20 bowlers in the world. The Gujarat Titans setup focuses on developing young talent.
Contract Renewal Prospects: If Little performs well in the next two seasons, he could attract higher bids in future mega auctions. A couple of match winning performances could see his salary jump to ₹7 to 10 crore range. However, poor performances could lead to him being released.
Conclusion:
Joshua Little’s IPL journey represents hope and achievement for cricketers from smaller nations. His salary of ₹4.4 crore per season makes him one of Ireland’s highest earning cricketers ever. While his on field performances have been limited so far, the potential is clear.
Key Takeaways:
- Current salary: ₹4.4 crore with Gujarat Titans
- Total IPL earnings: ₹ 8.8 crore (2 seasons)
- First Irish player ever in IPL
- Best performance: 4/45 against RCB in 2024
- Age: 26 years old (plenty of time to improve)
Gujarat Titans have shown remarkable patience with Little. They see him as a long term investment rather than expecting immediate returns. His left arm bowling, ability to swing the new ball, and young age make him a valuable asset for the future.
For Irish cricket, Little’s IPL contract is groundbreaking. He has opened doors for future Irish players to dream of playing in the world’s biggest T20 league. His success has put Irish cricket on the global map in a way few other achievements have.
As IPL 2025 and 2026 approach, all eyes will be on whether Joshua Little can finally become a regular player and deliver consistent match winning performances. At ₹4.4 crore, Gujarat Titans have made a reasonable investment. Now it’s up to Little to show he deserves even more.
FAQs:
Joshua Little earns ₹4.4 crore in IPL 2024 playing for Gujarat Titans. This is the same salary he has earned since joining the league in 2023. Gujarat Titans have retained him at this price for three consecutive seasons.
Joshua Little has earned ₹ 8.8 crore from IPL across two seasons (2023 to 2024). This includes ₹4.4 crore each year from Gujarat Titans. This makes him one of the highest earning cricketers in Irish cricket history.
Gujarat Titans paid ₹4.4 crore because Little was excellent in the 2022 T20 World Cup where he took 11 wickets including a hat trick against New Zealand. He is a left arm fast bowler who can swing the ball, which is rare and valuable. His young age (23 at the time) also meant huge potential for growth.
Yes, Joshua Little is the first Irish cricketer ever to sign an IPL contract. He made history when Gujarat Titans bought him in the December 2022 IPL auction for ₹4.4 crore. This was a proud moment for Irish cricket and opened doors for future Irish players.
Joshua Little has played only 11 matches in IPL so far despite being with Gujarat Titans for three seasons. He played 10 matches in 2023 and just 1 match in 2024. His limited game time is due to team combination and competition from other overseas bowlers. However, his 4 wicket haul against RCB in 2024 showed his quality when given chances.
Kiran is a cricket analyst and writer with strong expertise in the Indian Premier League and modern cricket. He closely follows match situations, player performances, team strategies, and season trends to deliver clear and accurate insights. Passionate about the game, Kiran enjoys exploring emerging talents, tracking auction movements, and sharing timely updates related to IPL and competitive cricket.
