- When the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) mandarins announced the introduction of the Indian Premier League in the late 2000s, the cricketing world was skeptical even as the shortest format of the game was making its nascent presence in the arena. Kudos to the BCCI for completely changing the face of the game, especially the T20 format by not only making it extremely popular with the following reaching stratospheric levels but also opening the doors for the cash-rich sponsors to embrace the sport with great aplomb. The way IPL was branded, marketed, and popularized around the country and the world speaks volumes about the BCCI’s foresightedness in accurately understanding the pulse of the cricket-crazy fans.
PC: NDTV Sports
- The IPL has become such a lucrative venture for the BCCI raking in unheard-of revenue from several rights viz. digital, broadcasting, in-stadium, and other associated paraphernalia that the cash-registers of one of the richest sporting associations are filled to the brim. What’s more, the amount of money available in the league is attracting talented cricketers from around the world to ply their trade here making it such a superb spectacle not to be missed. So much so that, several top-class cricketers have foregone the contract to represent their respective countries to become freelancing players prepared to play in the IPL. Yes, with India winning the T20 World Cup last year and the 50-over Champions Trophy recently, the interest in IPL will reach fever pitch.
PC: Firstpost
- As such, the ensuing 18th edition of the IPL will be kickstarting from 22nd March onwards, which will be even more colourful, competitive, entertaining, and guaranteed to offer a relentless thrill for the diehard fans of the league. As you would readily appreciate, the IPL has produced a pool of talented cricketers from India that we are flush with options to choose from some of the most gifted players. A remarkable performance in the league has provided a stepping stone for the talented bunch of cricketers to don Indian colours, no less. Little wonder, astronomical amounts being shelled out by the franchisees to ink deals with world-class cricketers are mind-boggling, to say the least. The competition is only getting better by the year is stating the obvious.
PC: India Today
- The moot point to ponder over here is who will win the latest edition of the IPL this year. Only a fool without any knowledge of sport would be placing a bet on a particular team to cross the distance. All the teams in the IPL are potentially strong candidates to go the distance. However, some of the most successful teams like Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders are always in the hunt to lift the coveted cup one more time. Not to be left behind are perennial hunters like Hyderabad Sunrisers, Delhi Capital, Rajasthan Royals, and the perennially in the hunt Royal Challengers Bangalore will vie to register a well-deserved win in the latest edition. Who will be the ultimate winner? Let’s wait for the tournament to conclude.