When it comes to cricket, it’s the most popular sport in India. Cricket was brought to India in the early 1700s by British colonialists. Ever since then, the sport has been increasingly popular and played across the nation. By 1909, The International Cricket Council was formed by representatives from England, Australia, and South Africa.
The ICC is still the official governing body of cricket. However, Indians have their own league called the Indian Premier League (IPL) which operates outside ICC’s jurisdiction. Â The league attracts many fans and bettors who are focused on the IPL betting prediction as to the form of entertainment and enjoyment of the national sport in India.
That being said, the IPL is a professional cricket league in India, consisting of ten teams. The league was founded in 2007 by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as a Twenty20 competition and has since been expanded to include fifty-overs matches.
The IPL is the most-attended cricket league in the world and ranks sixth among all sports leagues. The IPL has been credited with introducing a new generation of fans to the sport of cricket, and with raising the profile of Indian cricket players both nationally and internationally. With that in mind, here’s how the IPL has changed Indian cricket forever.
What are the origins of the Indian Premier League?
As mentioned earlier, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is a professional cricket league in India that was formed back in 2007. Â The league is one of the most popular sports leagues in the world and ranks sixth in average attendance among global sports leagues. The IPL is the most-attended cricket league in the world, with an average attendance of over 30,000 spectators per match.
For example, the brand value of IPL in 2019 was estimated at over US$6.3 billion since its inception, making it one of the most lucrative sports leagues in the world. Following India’s victory at the 2007 T20 World Cup, the BCCI announced the formation of the new Twenty20 cricket competition called the IPL on September 13th, 2007. This was the official origin of the Indian Premier League and the very first season began the following year.
How the Indian Premier League (IPL) has evolved over the years?
The IPL has evolved over the years, with new teams, players, and rules being introduced. The first season was contested by 10 teams, with teams from each of India’s ten major cities. As time went by, new franchisees joined the league while others were terminated by the BCCI making the number of teams uncertain for each season.
The number of players per team has also varied over the years, with a maximum of 25 players per team in 2018. In addition to this, the rules governing player auctions and player salaries have also been amended over time. Despite volatility, the IPL has grown in both popularity and revenue over the years.
The importance of IPL in Indian cricketing culture
The IPL season typically starts in late March or early April and lasts until late May or early June. This is when the entire nation comes together to follow the news and watch their favorite teams compete for the main prize and championship title. The league itself is of vital importance to the Indian people, their country, and their culture.
That being said, BCCI announced that the 2015 IPL season contributed over $150 million to the GDP of the Indian economy. The IPL has been a massive success since its inception in 2007. It is, in fact, the most-attended cricket league in the world. The IPL has helped to popularize cricket in India and has led to increased investment in the sport.
The league has also been lucrative for players, with many making millions of dollars per season. Each year, the IPL breaks a new record. For instance, the 2020 season broke the viewership record of 31.57 million average viewers. This was a 23% increase compared to the 2019 season.
Furthermore, the IPL was the first-ever league to be broadcasted live on YouTube in 2010. This has improved the popularity of Indian cricket all over the world. To further boost the importance of cricket in Indian culture, the BCCI announced in 2022 that they have plans for a six-team Women’s IPL set to debut in 2023.
The IPL has completely revolutionized Indian cricket and changed the sport forever. The league has brought in a new level of professionalism and raised the standards of cricket in India. This is evident in the success of the Indian cricket teams in international tournaments in recent years.
