Men’s Indian Premier League (IPL)

For the first time in the history of cricket, a new enterprise mimicking that of the NBA, NFL, and other competitive sports leagues across the world was launched in India in 2008, with player auctions and trades in full swing on an international level. This was the Indian Premier League (IPL). The name is based on Soccer’s English Premier League. IPL quickly became the most attended cricket league in the world and by 2014 was ranked sixth by average attendance among all sports leagues. Players worldwide fiercely compete in IPL auctions and trades for a spot. At present, the IPL is valued at US $6.3 billion as a brand, with four of its franchises – Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Kolkata Knight Riders – valued at approximately US $100 million or more.

There are currently ten teams in the IPL, each representing a major city, or a state in rare cases (e.g. Kings XI Punjab). These teams include, Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kings XI Punjab, Lucknow Super Giants, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Titans, and Delhi Capitals. Only Chennai Super Kings has won the IPL Championship five times while Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders are the only other teams to have won it more than once. The following table represents a short winner/runner-up statistic of the IPL.

*This was the only year when the “Player of the Final” award was granted to a member of the losing side. Thus, the award recipient’s team is specifically indicated in abbreviated form only for this year.

** Deccan Chargers (DeCh) and Rising Pune Supergiant (RPSG) are defunct and no longer in operation.

*** Previously, this title was called “Player of the Series.”