- True cricket connoisseurs, experts, ex-players, and crazy fans will be licking their lips in anticipation of a great, entertainment-filled few weeks when the 19th edition of the extremely popular Indian Premier League (IPL) gets underway from 28th March 2026 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Of course, the geopolitical scenario is anything but welcoming since conflicts of diverse nature are happening around the world, much to the chagrin of all concerned. Especially, the US-Israel-Iran conflict has stressed the global community, with the energy supplies from the West Asia/Middle East severely disrupted owing to the worrying escalation of the war. However, the Indian cricket fans would not mind diverting their attention to the much-loved IPL in a big way.
PC: The Statesman
- Thus, the latest edition of the IPL will kick-start with the previous year’s winners, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), taking on the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the curtain-raiser at Bengaluru. Remember, Team India has successfully defended the ICC T20 World Cup in the recently concluded event jointly hosted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Sri Lanka Board (SLB). Needless to mention, the World Cup was a humongous success, with the TRP ratings reaching stratospheric levels, firmly affirming yet again how the cricket ecosystem sustains in India and, in turn, the whole cricket-playing nations of the world. What makes cricket tick so many boxes with flying colours in India, though? Let’s dwelve further to comprehend the same.
PC: IPL T20
- The popularity, reach, penetration, adulation, and following of cricket in India have gained so much traction over the last few decades needs no further elaboration. Little wonder that some of the biggest names in the business world are not averse to pumping in humongous amounts of investment into the game, fully aware of the popularity of the sport among the Indians. Unsurprisingly, more than 70% of the revenue generated by the International Cricket Council originates from India. Make no mistake, the popularity of the sport is such that innumerable wannabe cricketers would desperately wish to test their mettle to break into the lucrative franchise-based IPL. A couple of seasons would ensure their financial needs are met.
PC: ZAP Cricket
- Indeed, there are incessant talks about how the classic format of the game has taken a backseat with the surfeit of T20 leagues popping up in all the major cricket-playing nations. However, no onecan even come close to the IPL in terms of resources, revenue, talent, razzmatazz, canvas, glitz, quality, and the entertainment quotient associated with the Indian league. Every cricketer – renowned and wannabe – wishes to perform in front of a full house where the raucous crowd ensures the adrenaline rush sustains right through. Undoubtedly, the present edition will dish out by now familiar thrill-a-ball entertainment with the best of the cricketing talent from around the world eagerly waiting to showcase their talent. Let the entertainment begin!
