Indian Premier League: What is IPL? (Interview)

BCCI created Indian Premier League (IPL) is going to kick-off April 18 this year. It has already become more famous because of many star players from different countries. You can see 59 matches that will be played over 44 days. The overall prize money will be US $ 5 million, with the winners taking home $ 2 million. You will be astonished to hear that TV right has been sold US $ 1 billion. Japan’s Sony Corporation Sony Entertainment and the Asia-based World Sports Group (WSG) won the broadcast rights for ten years. I have got an interview in indiantimes Cricket title by Billion dollar Baby where you will get everything about inns and outs of IPL. Here I have given surpass of this interview:

What is the Indian Premier League?

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) launched the Indian Premier League (IPL) on September 14, 2007. Based on the lines of the English Premier League (EPL) and the National Basketball League (NBA), the IPL is said to be the brainchild of BCCI vice-president Lalit Modi. The idea was first floated in 1996 but was shot down as the board felt it would go against the zonal system of domestic cricket. The project moved into top gear when the Zee group launched a rival Indian Cricket League on similar lines in April 2007.

Who are the franchisees?

The franchisees will own the eight teams in the fray. They can run them in their own styles, bring their own sponsors and even name the team according to their choice. They will even be free to list their teams on the stock exchange.

How is it different from the football and hockey leagues in India?

The IPL, in a way, is not very different in its format vis-a-vis the PHL or the I-League in football. It is, however, totally different in its concept as the teams have been offered to franchisees (individuals or corporates) through a bidding process that culminated on Thursday. The BCCI has already signed up 80 international players who will also be put for auction soon.

Indian former player and most successful captain Kapil Dev is worried abut IPL. He thinks that will be the cause of danger for traditional cricket. But BCCI has no headache about it. It is all about money. Players are heading IPL to become rich. I think it will affect India’s some tournament like Ranji Trophy, Dulip Trophy.

Dear fans what is your expectation about IPL? Will it affect India’s traditional cricket tournament?

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