Wikipedia - Indian Premier League

The Indian Premier League (IPL), also known as the TATA IPL for sponsorship reasons, is a men's Twenty20 (T20) cricket league held annually in India. Founded by the BCCI (the Board of Control for Cricket in India) in 2007, the league features ten state or city-based franchise teams. It is the most popular and biggest cricket league and it usually takes place during the summer for 2 months, between March and May each year. It has an exclusive window in the ICC Future Tours Programme, resulting in fewer international cricket tours occurring during the IPL seasons.

In 2014, it ranked sixth in average attendance among all sports leagues. In 2010, the IPL became the first sporting event to be broadcast live on YouTube. Inspired by the success of the IPL, other Indian sports leagues have been established. In 2022, the league's brand value was estimated at ₹90,038 crore (US$11 billion). According to the BCCI, the 2015 IPL season contributed ₹1,150 crore (US$140 million) to India's GDP. In December 2022, the IPL achieved a valuation of US$10.9 billion, becoming a decacorn and registering a 75% growth in dollar terms since 2020 when it was valued at $6.2 billion, according to a report by the consulting firm D and P Advisory. Its 2023 final became the most streamed live event on the internet, with 32 million viewers.

In 2023, the league sold its media rights for the next 4 seasons for US$6.4 billion to Viacom18 and Star Sports, meaning each IPL match was valued at $13.4 million. As of 2024, there have been seventeen seasons of the tournament. The current champions are the Kolkata Knight Riders, who won the 2024 season after defeating the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final.

History

Winners
Indian Premier League
Season Winners
2008 Rajasthan Royals
2009 Deccan Chargers
2010 Chennai Super Kings
2011 Chennai Super Kings (2)
2012 Kolkata Knight Riders
2013 Mumbai Indians
2014 Kolkata Knight Riders (2)
2015 Mumbai Indians (2)
2016 Sunrisers Hyderabad
2017 Mumbai Indians (3)
2018 Chennai Super Kings (3)
2019 Mumbai Indians (4)
2020 Mumbai Indians (5)
2021 Chennai Super Kings (4)
2022 Gujarat Titans
2023 Chennai Super Kings (5)
2024 Kolkata Knight Riders (3)

Inspired by a rival

In 2007, Zee Entertainment Enterprises founded the Indian Cricket League (ICL). The ICL was not recognized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) or the International Cricket Council (ICC). Moreover, the BCCI was unhappy about its committee members joining the ICL executive board. In response, the BCCI increased the prize money for its domestic tournaments and imposed lifetime bans on players who joined the rival league, which it considered a rebel league.

Foundation

On 13 September 2007, following India's victory at the 2007 T20 World Cup, the BCCI announced a franchise based Twenty20 cricket competition known as the Indian Premier League. The inaugural season was scheduled to start in April 2008, commencing with a "high-profile ceremony" in New Delhi. BCCI Vice-president Lalit Modi, who led the IPL initiative, provided details of the tournament, including its format, prize money, franchise revenue system, and squad composition rules. The league, to be managed by a seven-man governing council, would also serve as the qualifying mechanism for that year's Champions League Twenty20.

To determine team ownership, an auction for the franchises was held on 24 January 2008. The reserve prices for the eight franchises totalled $400 million, but the auction ultimately raised $723.59 million. The league officially commenced in April 2008, featuring Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Mumbai Indians (MI), Delhi Daredevils (DD), Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), Deccan Chargers (DC), Rajasthan Royals (RR), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

Following the ban on players who chose to participate in the ICL, the rival league shut down in 2009.

A match during the 2008 IPL inaugural season in Chennai

Expansions and terminations

New franchises, Pune Warriors India and Kochi Tuskers Kerala, joined the league before the fourth season in 2011. The Sahara Adventure Sports Group purchased the Pune franchise for $370 million, while Rendezvous Sports World bought the Kochi franchise for $333.3 million. The Kochi franchise was terminated after just one season due to their failure to pay the BCCI the 10% bank guarantee element of the franchise fee.

In September 2012, the Deccan Chargers franchise agreement was terminated after the BCCI failed to find new owners. In October, an auction was held for a replacement franchise; Sun TV Network won the bid for what became the Hyderabad franchise; the team was named Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Pune Warriors India withdrew from the IPL in May 2013 due to financial differences with the BCCI. The BCCI officially terminated the franchise in October, and the league reverted to eight teams.

In June 2015, the two-time champions Chennai Super Kings and the inaugural season champions Rajasthan Royals were suspended for two seasons following their involvement in a spot-fixing and betting scandal. The two teams were replaced for two seasons by franchises based in Pune and Rajkot.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the venue for the 2020 season was moved and games were played in the United Arab Emirates. In August 2021, the BCCI announced that two new franchises, based in two of six shortlisted cities, would join the league in the 2022 season. In closed bidding held in October, the RPSG Group and CVC Capital won the bids for the teams, paying 7,000 crore (US$840 million) and 5,200 crore (US$620 million), respectively. The teams were subsequently named Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans.

Several IPL franchise owners have expanded their business by acquiring teams in other franchise leagues, such as the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), South Africa's SA20, the UAE's International League T20 (ILT) and the USA's Major League Cricket (MLC). These teams have been branded with similar names to their parent IPL franchises.

Indian Premier League SA20
Chennai Super Kings
Delhi Capitals
Gujarat Titans
Kolkata Knight Riders
Lucknow Super Giants
Mumbai Indians
Punjab Kings
Rajasthan Royals
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Sunrisers Hyderabad

In addition to the above acquisitions, Delhi Capitals also bought a stake in MLC's Seattle Orcas.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a professional Twenty20 cricket league in India, widely regarded as one of the most exciting and popular cricket tournaments in the world. Established in 2008 by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the IPL features a franchise-based format where teams representing various cities compete for the coveted championship title.

The tournament typically takes place annually, spanning several weeks, and attracts top cricketing talent from around the globe, including international stars and emerging local players. Each season showcases a thrilling blend of high-octane matches, strategic gameplay, and vibrant entertainment, making it a festival of cricket that captivates millions of fans.

The IPL is known for its unique blend of sports and entertainment, with matches often accompanied by elaborate opening ceremonies, celebrity performances, and fan engagement activities. The league has also pioneered innovative formats, such as player auctions and strategic timeouts, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

With its rich history, passionate fan base, and significant financial impact on the sport, the Indian Premier League has transformed the landscape of cricket, setting new standards for professionalism and commercial success in the world of sports. Whether you're a die-hard cricket enthusiast or a casual viewer, the IPL promises thrilling moments, unforgettable performances, and a celebration of the spirit of cricket.