The Indian Premier League (IPL) Cricket is India’s running public cricket league. It was established in 2008 by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and has brought unprecedented joy to many cricket lovers in India and beyond.
India is a popular cricket nation. The sport is a wonderful means of entertainment for several Indian families and many who stake money on IPL betting predictions. When the Indian Premier League (IPL) Cricket commenced 14 years ago, it arrived like a perfect fit in the missing puzzle for cricket-loving Indians.
Since 2008, many interesting and significant things have greeted the cricket space in India. With the 2022 IPL Cricket season already underway, there is no better time to stroll down memory lane to understand the excitement of the past 15 years. Taking a stroll down memory lane also promises to offer appreciable insights into the future of IPL Cricket in India.
IPL Cricket in India
IPL Cricket was initiated in India following the victorious triumph of the Indian cricket team against Pakistan, their fierce rivals, at the first edition of the world T 20 games in 2007. Today, IPL Cricket is the most-watched T 20 league in India and beyond India.
Since 2008, the IPL Cricket season has run yearly from March through to May. This year, the IPL Cricket season commenced on the 26th of March, with two new teams – Lucknow Supergiants and Gujarat Titans. Their addition brings the number of teams competing for the title to 10 teams. This year, IPL cricket will follow the group stage (home and away) format to decide the top 4 teams that will vie for playoff places. The winner of the 15th season of the IPL Cricket Season will be crowned on the 29th of May 2022 following the completion of the playoffs between the top 4 teams.
IPL Cricket is regarded as one of the best T 20 leagues in the world. Since its inception, it has become a leading blueprint for other cricket-loving nations to follow, with South Africa being a vivid example. IPL Cricket has evolved to become one of the biggest cricketing leagues. It is one of the highest-paying sporting leagues in the world.
How did IPL Cricket achieve this status under 15 years? What were the defining events that pushed IPL Cricket to the very top?
How IPL Cricket rose to the top in India
Before IPL cricket, cricket was not a lucrative sport in India. Many cricket players lived on scraps, and playing cricket professionally was not appealing in the slightest sense. IPL was launched to give domestic cricket players an opportunity to develop and pursue cricket as a career. And as an opportunity to develop cricket locally in India.
Several reputable Indians, including Bollywood film star Nita Ambani, Shah Rukh Khan, and top media practitioners, bought IPL Cricket franchises and invested in teams via player auctions organized by IPL. Millions of dollars were invested into the league in player sales, stadia developments, and other developments to make IPL the standout league it is today.
During the inaugural league season in 2008, the eight participating IPL franchises were the Mumbai Indians, the Chennai Super Kings, the Decan Chargers, the Delhi Daredevils, the Royal Challengers Bangalore, the Punjab XI Kings, the Kolkata Knight Riders, and the Rajasthan Royals.
The inaugural IPL cricket completion lasted 44 days, and Rajasthan Royals were the eventual champions. They won against Chennai Super Kings by three wickets thanks to the leadership of Shane Warne, an Australian bowler.
The Mumbai Indians have won IPL cricket the most times on five different occasions. They are trailed closely by Chennai Super Kings with four wins.
IPL Cricket is a big part of Indian culture today because it also promotes the propagation of India’s rich culture to the rest of the world. Every Indian household has a special place for Indian cricket because of IPL Cricket.