HOW MANY T20 LEAGUES DO YOU FOLLOW OTHER THAN IPL?

It was the first domestic T20 league in India However, with no recognition from the BCCI, it fizzled out within a couple of years. The BCCI themselves launched the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008 amid plenty of fanfare...

- RENIN WILBEN

Following India's unexpected victory in the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 20-over format took off in incredible fashion. The now-defunct Indian Cricket League (ICL) was launched in 2007 and had some big names like Chris Cairns and Lance Klusener. It was the first domestic T20 league in India However, with no recognition from the BCCI, it fizzled out within a couple of years. The BCCI themselves launched the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008 amid plenty of fanfare. This has gone on to become the biggest T20 competition in the world. Ten teams took part in the 2022 edition, and the whopping media rights sale for the 2023-2027 cycle has made IPL the second most valuable sporting league after the NFL. The unprecedented success of the IPL has seen other countries launch their own T20 competitions, although none have been able to replicate the popularity of the IPL. We give you a lowdown of major T20 leagues across the globe.

1.BIG BASH LEAGUE (AUSTRALIA): In terms of popularity, Australia's Big Bash League comes closest to the IPL, though one must admit that there is a yawning gap in between. The BBL was established in 2011 by Cricket Australia. It features eight city-based franchises with teams representing Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Sydney, etc. The winner of BBL gets $450,000. Perth Scorchers are the defending champions in the BBL. Commendably, Cricket Australia also started the Women's BBL in the 2015-16 season.

2. VITALITY BLAST (ENGLAND):