Indian Premier League: A Dynamic Change In Cricket

The Twenty20 or T20 format became popular after India won the opening World Twenty20 Champion title in 2007 under the captaincy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. This win rejuvenated the Indians fans, who were still coming to terms with the 2007 ODI disappointing loss. It also worked as a foundation for a new age of cricket.

Indian Premier League (IPL), was launched in 2008 as a competitive response to the Indian Cricket League (ICL), which was not recognized by the BCCI. It was the brainchild of the then BCCI vice-president Lalit Modi. Since then, the IPL has not only come out as the clear champaign but has given birth to various T20 leagues around the world. ICL’s controversial past, related to betting and fixing, ended in 2009.

IPL decided to work on the same format as that of the English Premier League (EPL) and the National Basketball Association (NBA). It would work on a franchise system, where players would be put for auction and the highest bidder won the player. Teams would represent different cities. The first-ever auction took place on 24 January 2008 with the base price of $400 Million but fetching $723.59 Million in return.

Mumbai Indians was bought by Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) became the most expensive team costing $111.9 million followed closely by Vijay Mallya's United Breweries at $111.6 million for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Media house Deccan Chronicle won Hyderabad’s Deccan Chargers for $107 Million with India Cements' Chennai franchise (Chennai Super Kings) cost $91 Million and the India Cements franchising Chennai Super Kings for $91 Million.

Bollywood stars also became team owners with Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla’s Red Chilies Entertainment taking Kolkata Knight Riders for $75.09 Million and Pretty Zinta and Ness Wadia buying Kings XI Punjab for $76 Million. GRM bagged the Delhi Daredevils for $84 Million and Emerging Media got the rights for Rajasthan Royal for $67 Million.

Later on, two new teams were added Pune Warriors India owned by Sahara Group for $370 Million, and Kochin Tuskers Kerala for $333.3 Million purchased by Rendezvous Sports World

With the perfect blend of corporate megabuck, Bollywood glamour, and the craze of cricket, the Indian Premier League (IPL), revolutionized the sport in every way. It gave way to a new way of entertainment term coined as – cricketainment. It can be seen as a new chapter in the evolution of cricket.

IPL proved that cricket will never be the same.

By: Deeksha Goyal

Content: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/how-ipl-changed-the-dynamics-of-indian-cricket/articleshow/51738244.cms