London, UK – Former England cricket captain Kevin Pietersen has ignited a fresh debate about the future of Test cricket following a report that Australian stars Pat Cummins and Travis Head rejected a $10 million annual contract offer from a T20 franchise. Pietersen's controversial comments, in which he advised the pair to abandon international Test cricket for the more lucrative franchise leagues, underscore the immense financial pressures now facing top cricketers and the growing anxiety over the sport's traditional format.
'Get through the Ashes, then have a rethink'
According to reports from The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, an ownership group from an Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise made a full-time, year-round offer to Cummins and Head in October 2025. The deal, worth nearly AUD 10 million per year, required them to quit international cricket and play exclusively for the franchise across its global T20 network.
Pietersen, a veteran of numerous T20 leagues himself, urged the Australian duo to reconsider their loyalty to the national side. "My advice to Cummins and to Head would be to get through the Ashes, postpone the discussions, and then have a re-think," Pietersen said. He argued that Test cricket was on the decline and that the leagues were the future.
'These guys are all businesses'
Drawing parallels to the world of golf and the recent mass exodus to the LIV Golf series, Pietersen asserted that modern cricketers are individual brands and must act accordingly. "Jon Rahm did it in golf (LIV), same with Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka, it is what it is, we just have to understand that these guys are all businesses, every single player is a business".
Pietersen, who has openly expressed his pessimism about Test cricket's longevity, acknowledged his position as a "realist" in a sport increasingly driven by private investment. "I know the money in franchise cricket, I've seen the money in franchise cricket, these guys have P&Ls and brands and these are emotional acquisitions by very powerful figures".
Cummins and Head choose the Baggy Green
Despite the life-changing sums on offer, both Cummins and Head reportedly rejected the deal, choosing national duty over profit. The players, who both feature for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, have remained committed to representing Australia. This loyalty stands in contrast to players like South Africa's Heinrich Klaasen, who retired from international cricket in June to pursue franchise opportunities full-time.
A stark reminder of cricket's new reality
The incident has highlighted a significant challenge for international cricket boards. Discussions are already underway within Cricket Australia about privatizing the Big Bash League (BBL) to increase player salaries and better compete with the global market. The fear is that the riches of franchise leagues will continue to siphon top-tier talent away from the traditional formats of the game, putting the future of Test cricket, particularly for smaller nations, in jeopardy.
While Cummins and Head have shown their commitment to the national team, Pietersen's advice serves as a stark reminder of the immense financial temptation players now face, and the ever-shifting balance of power within the global game.
