Indian Premier League (IPL) is a Twenty20 cricket tournament where different franchise teams participate for the title. The tournament started in 2008 and from then it usually takes place every year in the months of April – June. It is currently supervised by BCCI Vice-President Ranjib Biswal, who serves as the League’s chairman and Commissioner. Sundar Raman has been the IPL chief operating officer (COO) since its first season, after he was appointed by former IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi in 2008.
IPL is the most-watched Twenty20 cricket league in the world and also known for its commercial success. The IPL became the first sporting event to be broadcast live on YouTube. It is currently sponsored by Pepsi and thus officially known as the Pepsi Indian Premier League.
There are five ways that a franchise can acquire a player: In the annual auction, signing domestic players, signing uncapped players, through trading, and signing replacements.
IPL was inaugurated in 2008. During the same period Zee “Indian Cricket League” was operational. It was an enormous success. The annual tournament, played mostly in Indian summer has gone from strength to strength and is largely viewed as being the ‘richest’ tournament in world cricket.
Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Deccan Chargers were the founding clubs of the new professional league.
Until 2012, the Indian Premier League was sponsored by DLF after they paid $50 million for the five-year sponsorship. Pepsi took over the contract for the 2013 IPL after paying close to $72 million for the 5-year contract. From 2013 season, the American food and beverage company PepsiCo took over title sponsorship for five years valued at ₹3968 million, and also exclusive beverage supplier for the IPL teams in the 2013 season.
IPL Committees
- Code of Behaviour Committee
- Technical Committee
- Entertainment Committee
- Suspect Bowling Action Committee
The League has been the subject of controversies where allegations of cricket betting, money laundering, termination of franchises and spot fixing were witnessed. The IPL franchise has a number of issues regarding the viability of the business model, sponsorship fees, reduction in the brand value, fees paid to players and other issues that threaten the game.