IPL Inc

The Indian Premier League has grown into a behemoth. What lies behind its meteoric rise?

- Bhuvan Gupta

A high-profile betting scandal in 2013; severe water scarcity in 2016 (Maharashtra) and 2024 (Bengaluru); a war-like confrontation with Pakistan in May 2025. Crippling issues come and go, but nothing really seems to derail the Indian Premier League (IPL). The 2008 baby has grown into an all-pervasive behemoth today. Many swear cricket is a veritable religion in India, which could perhaps explain IPL’s meteoric rise. But people say the same thing about Bollywood, and that industry is currently reeling at the altar of the smartphone.

So, what keeps the league ticking? How has it become so enmeshed in the nation’s culture and psyche? The festive vibe the tournament imbues every summer is, according to former India medium pacer Atul Wassan, akin to the annual village fair, only much bigger in scale. “IPL brings a civic pride and sense of community. That is why it’s become so popular,” Wassan says.

The pride could have deleterious effects, as seen in the recent Bengaluru stampede that led to the tragic loss of at least 11 lives. The incident tarnished the Royal Challengers’ maiden triumph and raised grave concerns about the logistical and security arrangements put in place for a victory parade of that magnitude. It also typified the absolute, unflinching fan loyalty some franchises have amassed over time.