‘Just Don’t Get the Money’: Adam Zampa's Decision to Skip IPL for PSL Sparks Debate Online (WATCH)

Australian spinner Adam Zampa opted for PSL 2026 over the IPL, joining Karachi Kings for better financial and playing opportunities, saying the IPL doesn’t pay enough for his skillset. His decision has sparked mixed reactions online, with fans debating whether PSL suits him more than India’s premier T20 league.

Australian spinner Adam Zampa is currently part of Karachi Kings, led by David Warner, in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026. The leg spinner was picked by PKR 4.5 Crore by the Karachi franchise at the auction this year, marking his maiden appearance in the league.

Zampa earlier featured in the Indian Premier League. Australia’s Big Bash League, Major Cricket League, Caribbean Premier League, and the UAE’s International League T20, bringing a wealth of T20 experience to Karachi Kings for his maiden PSL season. The 34-year-old entered the PSL Auction at a base price of PKR 4.2 Crore, and Karachi Kings signed him for PKR 4.5 Crore, which roughly translates to INR 1.51 crore.

On the contrary, Adam Zampa didn’t list himself for the IPL 2026 mini-auction after he was released by Sunrisers Hyderabad during the retention period. Before SRH, Zampa played for Rising Pune Supergiants, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Rajasthan Royals, gaining extensive IPL experience over multiple seasons.

‘PSL Was On The Radar’

Amid the ongoing PSL 2026, Adam Zampa spoke about the decision to withdraw from the Indian Premier League this year and choose the PSL instead.

Speaking to ARY News, the Australian leg spinner stated that the IPL doesn’t provide enough money for his skill set and felt the PSL offered a better balance of opportunity and financial reward, adding that the league ‘was always on the radar when considering his options for the 2026 season.

“I pulled out of the IPL this year. To be brutally honest, for someone with my skill set, I just don’t get the money that is there for other skill sets,” Zampa said.

“And for the amount of time that the IPL takes, it just didn’t seem like a reasonable choice for me to keep playing it. I was going to have a break, but PSL was on the radar about a month ago. It’s all happened pretty quickly, but I’m enjoying it," he added.

Before the PSL, Adam Zampa featured for Melbourne Renegades in the BBL 2025/26, picking six wickets at an average of 15.66 and an economy rate of 6.71 in four matches. In the T20 World Cup 2026, Zampa was Australia’s wicket-taker with eight wickets at an average of 14.50 and an economy rate of 7.56 in four matches.

Fans Call Adam Zampa ‘IPL Reject’

Adam Zampa’s decision to leave the IPL this year for the ongoing PSL for better financial and playing opportunities has sparked mixed reactions online, with fans and cricket enthusiasts on X (formerly Twitter) debating his choice of league.

Taking to their X handles (formerly Twitter), fans and cricket enthusiasts largely mocked Zampa’s decision, with many questioning his competitiveness in the IPL, suggesting he chose an ‘easier’ league for financial gain, and debating whether the PSL suited his skill level better than facing stronger opposition in India’s premier T20 tournament.

Adam Zampa featured in 22 IPL matches and picked 31 wickets, including a five-wicket haul, at an average of 21.03 and an economy rate of 8.37, while representing four franchises over multiple seasons. His IPL stats highlight that he has been a consistent performer, though not among the very top-tier overseas spinners, which partly explains the debate around his decision to focus on the PSL this year.

Across five seasons in IPL, Adam Zampa has earned a total of 7.5 crore, reflecting a much respectable career for an overseas leg spinner, but one that may not match the earning potential offered by leagues like the PSL or other T20 tournaments.