View source for Indian Premier League (IPL)

{{#seo:
|title=Indian Premier League (IPL) – T20 Cricket League 
|description=The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a professional Twenty20 (T20) cricket league in India, organized by the BCCI. Founded in 2007, it features city-based franchise teams.
|keywords=Indian Premier League, IPL, IPL 2026, IPL Wiki, IPL Wikibio, IPL Knowlepedia, IPL Events, T20 cricket India, BCCI, IPL teams, IPL history, IPL media rights, IPL champions, IPL Most runs, IPL Most Wickets, IPL Highest Score, IPL Lowest Score
|summary=The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a professional T20 cricket league in India, organized by the BCCI. Founded in 2007, it features city-based franchise teams and is the most popular and richest cricket league globally. Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the 2025 season. The Women's Premier League (WPL) was introduced in 2023.
|image=https://knowlepedia.org/images/f/fc/Indian_Premier_League_Logo.jpg
|og:type=article
|og:title=Indian Premier League (IPL) – T20 Cricket League 
|og:description=Overview of the Indian Premier League (IPL), including history, teams, champions, media rights, and the Women's Premier League (WPL).
|og:image=https://knowlepedia.org/images/f/fc/Indian_Premier_League_Logo.jpg
|twitter:card=summary_large_image
}} {{Infobox cricket tournament
| name = Indian Premier League
| logo = Indian_Premier_League_Logo.jpg
| caption = Official IPL Logo
| format = Twenty20
| tournament_format = Double round-robin format followed by playoffs
| administrator = Board of Control for Cricket in India
| country = India
| first = 2008
| latest = 2025
| next = 2026
| teams = 10
| champion = Royal Challengers Bengaluru (1st title)
| most_successful = Mumbai Indians <br> Chennai Super Kings
| tv = Star Sports, JioCinema
| website = https://www.iplt20.com
}}'''The [[Indian]] Premier League (IPL)''' is a professional Twenty20 (T20) cricket league in India, organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in [[India]] (BCCI). Ten city-based teams make up the league, which was established in 2007. Every year between March and May, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most well-known and lucrative cricket leagues worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tata Group to replace Vivo as IPL title sponsors from this year |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/tata-group-to-replace-vivo-as-ipl-title-sponsors-from-this-year/articleshow/88830655.cms |website=The Times of India |access-date=26 December 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=How can the IPL become a global sports giant? |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/tim-wigmore-how-can-the-ipl-become-a-global-sports-giant-1150459 |website=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=26 December 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=IPL now has window in ICC Future Tours Programme |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ipl-now-has-window-in-icc-future-tours-programme-1129304 |website=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=26 December 2025}}</ref>

In India and around the world, a lot of people watch the IPL. It was the first sports league to be streamed live on YouTube in 2010. The league sold its media rights for $6.4 billion in 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=IPL media rights digital value more than TV, 2nd most valuable: Jay Shah |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/ipl-media-rights-digital-value-more-than-tv-2nd-most-valuable-jay-shah-1962410-2022-06-14 |website=India Today |access-date=26 December 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=IPL media rights at Rs 104 crore, IPL overtakes EPL in per-match value |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/ipl-media-rights-at-rs-104-crore-ipl-overtakes-epl-in-per-match-value/articleshow/92169438.cms |website=The Times of India |access-date=26 December 2025}}</ref> The IPL has been around for eighteen seasons as of 2025, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru is the current champion. The Women's Premier League (WPL), the league's female equivalent, was established in 2022 and had its first season in 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title='Let the journey begin': BCCI garners Rs 4669.99 crore for sale of 5 Women’s Premier League teams |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/let-the-journey-begin-bcci-garners-rs-4669-99-crore-for-sale-of-5-womens-premier-league-teams/articleshow/97310824.cms |website=The Times of India |access-date=26 December 2025}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web |title=BCCI plans to start a full-fledged women’s IPL in 2023 — Sourav Ganguly |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/bcci-plans-to-start-a-full-fledged-women-s-ipl-in-2023-sourav-ganguly-1908796-2022-02-04 |website=India Today |access-date=26 December 2025}}</ref>

== History ==
Essel Group along with IL&FS launched the Indian Cricket League (ICL) in April 2007. The ICL was not recognized by either the BCCI or the ICC which made the BCCI up its prize money in its tournaments and eventually, banned the cricketers who decided to be a part of such an unrecognized league.<ref>{{cite web |title=ICL announces team lists for upcoming Indian Cricket League Twenty20 tournament |url=https://www.rediff.com/cricket/2007/nov/14icl.htm |website=Rediff.com |access-date=26 December 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=BCCI shoots down Indian Cricket League (ICL) proposal |url=http://inhome.rediff.com/cricket/2007/jun/13icl.htm |website=Rediff.com |access-date=26 December 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Rediff report on IPL hike/feature |url=https://www.rediff.com/cricket/2007/aug/21hike.htm |website=Rediff.com |access-date=26 December 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Indian Premier League: How it all started |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/ipl-history/indian-premier-league-how-it-all-started/articleshow/19337875.cms |website=The Times of India |access-date=26 December 2025}}</ref>

On September 13, 2007, the BCCI took advantage of the ICC World Twenty20 and announced the Indian Premier League (IPL). The IPL was presented as a franchise-based T20 league that will begin in April 2008. Lalit Modi was the one who explained the format, teams, and revenue sharing successfully.

In January 2008, the team franchises were auctioned with the amount of over $723 million being raised. The first IPL season kicked-off in April 2008 with eight teams, including the Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders.

The ICL did not last long and in 2009, many of its players got back their spots in BCCI by availing of the amnesty offered which ultimately led to the disbanding of the ICL.

== Format ==
The IPL is played under a set of special rules that differ from those of normal cricket. The first innings of every team sees two short television timeouts. The teams can challenge the umpire’s decisions made on wides and no-balls through the use of the DRS (Decision Review System). A team that does not manage to bowl its full quota of overs within the allotted time may be subjected to restrictions on the number of fielders in the inner circle or be fined. One player can be replaced with an Impact Player, a substitute that has a huge role in the match, and the teams can either announce the playing eleven before or after the toss. It is the practice to impose five runs as a penalty for the unfair movements of a fielder or a wicketkeeper. The limit for overseas players in the playing eleven is four, the squad can comprise a maximum of 25 players, and starting from the year 2024, bowlers will be able to deliver two bouncers in one over.

== Teams ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ IPL Teams Overview
! Team !! City !! Home ground !! Debut !! Captain
|-
| [[Chennai Super Kings]]
| Chennai, Tamil Nadu
| M. A. Chidambaram Stadium
| 2008
| Ruturaj Gaikwad
|-
| [[Delhi Capitals]]
| [[New Delhi]], [[Delhi]]
| Arun Jaitley Stadium
| 2008
| Axar Patel
|-
| [[Gujarat Titans]]
| Ahmedabad, [[Gujarat]]
| Narendra Modi Stadium
| 2022
| Shubman Gill
|-
| [[Kolkata Knight Riders]]
| Kolkata, West Bengal
| Eden Gardens
| 2008
| Ajinkya Rahane
|-
| [[Lucknow Super Giants]]
| Lucknow, [[Uttar Pradesh]]
| Ekana Stadium
| 2022
| [[Rishabh Pant]]
|-
| [[Mumbai Indians]]
| [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]]
| Wankhede Stadium
| 2008
| Hardik Pandya
|-
| [[Punjab Kings]]
| New Chandigarh, Punjab
| Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium
| 2008
| Shreyas Iyer
|-
| [[Rajasthan Royals]]
| Jaipur, Rajasthan
| Sawai Mansingh Stadium
| 2008
| TBD
|-
| [[Royal Challengers Bangalore|Royal Challengers Bengaluru]]
| Bengaluru, [[Karnataka]]
| M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
| 2008
| [[Rajat Patidar]]
|-
| [[Sunrisers Hyderabad]]
| Hyderabad, Telangana
| Rajiv Gandhi Stadium
| 2013
| Pat Cummins
|}

== Seasons ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ IPL Team Performance Summary
! Team !! Won !! Runners-up !! Playoffs Played !! Seasons Played
|-
| Chennai Super Kings
| 5 (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023)
| 5 (2008, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2019)
| 12
| 16
|-
| Mumbai Indians
| 5 (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020)
| 1 (2010)
| 11
| 18
|-
| Kolkata Knight Riders
| 3 (2012, 2014, 2024)
| 1 (2021)
| 8
| 18
|-
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru
| 1 (2025)
| 3 (2009, 2011, 2016)
| 10
| 18
|-
| Sunrisers Hyderabad
| 1 (2016)
| 2 (2018, 2024)
| 7
| 13
|-
| Rajasthan Royals
| 1 (2008)
| 1 (2022)
| 6
| 16
|-
| Gujarat Titans
| 1 (2022)
| 1 (2023)
| 3
| 4
|-
| Deccan Chargers †
| 1 (2009)
| —
| 2
| 5
|-
| Punjab Kings
| —
| 2 (2014, 2025)
| 3
| 18
|-
| Delhi Capitals
| —
| 1 (2020)
| 6
| 18
|-
| Rising Pune Supergiant †
| —
| 1 (2017)
| 1
| 2
|-
| Lucknow Super Giants
| —
| —
| 2
| 4
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ IPL Season-wise Team Performance
! Team !! 2008 !! 2009 !! 2010 !! 2011 !! 2012 !! 2013 !! 2014 !! 2015 !! 2016 !! 2017 !! 2018 !! 2019 !! 2020 !! 2021 !! 2022 !! 2023 !! 2024 !! 2025
|-
| Chennai Super Kings
| RU || SF || C || C || RU || RU || 3rd || RU || Suspended || C || RU || 7th || C || 9th || C || 5th || 10th ||
|-
| Delhi Capitals
| SF || SF || 5th || 10th || 3rd || 9th || 8th || 7th || 6th || 6th || 8th || 3rd || RU || 3rd || 5th || 9th || 6th || 5th
|-
| Gujarat Titans
| – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || C || RU || 8th || 4th
|-
| Kolkata Knight Riders
| 6th || 8th || 6th || 4th || C || 7th || C || 5th || 4th || 3rd || 3rd || 5th || 5th || RU || 7th || 7th || C || 8th
|-
| Lucknow Super Giants
| – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || 4th || 4th || 7th || 7th
|-
| Mumbai Indians
| 5th || 7th || RU || 3rd || 4th || C || 4th || C || 5th || C || 5th || C || C || 5th || 10th || 3rd || 10th || 3rd
|-
| Punjab Kings
| SF || 5th || 8th || 5th || 6th || 6th || RU || 8th || 8th || 5th || 7th || 6th || 6th || 6th || 6th || 8th || 9th || RU
|-
| Rajasthan Royals
| C || 6th || 7th || 6th || 7th || 3rd || 5th || 4th || Suspended || 4th || 7th || 8th || 7th || RU || 5th || 3rd || 9th ||
|-
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru
| 7th || RU || 3rd || RU || 5th || 5th || 7th || 3rd || RU || 8th || 6th || 8th || 4th || 4th || 3rd || 6th || 4th || C
|-
| Sunrisers Hyderabad
| – || – || – || – || – || 4th || 6th || 6th || C || 4th || RU || 4th || 3rd || 8th || 8th || 10th || RU || 6th
|}

== Venues ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Indian Premier League Venues
! Venue !! City !! State !! Capacity !! First IPL Match !! Home Team(s)
|-
| M. A. Chidambaram Stadium
| Chennai
| Tamil Nadu
| 38,000
| 2008
| Chennai Super Kings
|-
| Wankhede Stadium
| Mumbai
| Maharashtra
| 33,000
| 2008
| Mumbai Indians
|-
| Eden Gardens
| Kolkata
| West Bengal
| 68,000
| 2008
| Kolkata Knight Riders
|-
| Arun Jaitley Stadium
| New Delhi
| Delhi
| 41,000
| 2008
| Delhi Capitals
|-
| M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
| Bengaluru
| Karnataka
| 40,000
| 2008
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru
|-
| Sawai Mansingh Stadium
| Jaipur
| Rajasthan
| 30,000
| 2008
| Rajasthan Royals
|-
| Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium
| Hyderabad
| Telangana
| 39,000
| 2013
| Sunrisers Hyderabad
|-
| Narendra Modi Stadium
| Ahmedabad
| Gujarat
| 132,000
| 2014
| Gujarat Titans
|-
| Ekana Cricket Stadium
| Lucknow
| Uttar Pradesh
| 50,000
| 2022
| Lucknow Super Giants
|-
| Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium
| New Chandigarh
| Punjab
| 38,000
| 2024
| Punjab Kings
|}

== Broadcasting ==
The IPL is the most-watched sports event in India. The tournament witness around 620 million viewers in 2024, with massive streaming numbers. The 2025 IPL final was seen by 169 million viewers on Star Sports, which made it the most-viewed cricket match on television.

Currently, the IPL media rights are held by JioStar, with matches being televised on Star Sports and available for streaming on JioHotstar. The existing media rights pact is approximately worth US$6.2 billion, making IPL the second-most valuable sports media property in the world after the NFL.

Before, IPL rights were owned by Sony (2008-2017), then Star India took over (2018-2022). In 2022, digital rights were acquired by the Reliance-Viacom18 consortium, which provided free streaming of IPL on JioCinema while Star retained TV rights.

== Prize Money and Sponsorship ==

== Records and Statistics ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ IPL Batting Records
! Record !! Player !! Team !! Achievement
|-
| Most runs
| Virat Kohli
| RCB
| 8,661
|-
| Most fours
| —
| —
| 771
|-
| Most sixes
| Chris Gayle
| KKR / PBKS / RCB
| 357
|-
| Most centuries
| Virat Kohli
| RCB
| 8
|-
| Most half-centuries
| —
| —
| 63
|-
| Most runs in a season
| Virat Kohli
| RCB
| 973 (2016)
|-
| Best strike rate
| Phil Salt
| DC / KKR / RCB
| 175.71
|-
| Highest score
| Chris Gayle
| RCB
| 175* vs Pune Warriors India (23 April 2013)
|-
| Highest partnership
| Virat Kohli & AB de Villiers
| RCB
| 229 vs Gujarat Lions (14 May 2016)
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ IPL Fielding Records
! Record !! Player !! Team !! Achievement
|-
| Most dismissals as wicket-keeper
| MS Dhoni
| CSK / RPS
| 201
|-
| Most catches as fielder
| Virat Kohli
| RCB
| 117
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ IPL Bowling Records
! Record !! Player !! Team !! Achievement
|-
| Most wickets
| Yuzvendra Chahal
| PBKS / MI / RCB / RR
| 221
|-
| Best bowling figures
| Alzarri Joseph
| MI
| 6/12 vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (6 April 2019)
|-
| Most wickets in a season
| Harshal Patel
| RCB
| 32 (2021)
|-
| Most wickets in a season
| Dwayne Bravo
| CSK
| 32 (2013)
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ IPL Team Records
! Record !! Team !! Score !! Match Details
|-
| Highest total
| Sunrisers Hyderabad
| 287/3 (20 overs)
| vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (15 April 2024)
|-
| Lowest total
| Royal Challengers Bangalore
| 49 (9.4 overs)
| vs Kolkata Knight Riders (23 April 2017)
|}

== Awards ==
'''Prize Money:''' From the 2025 season, the IPL winner gets ₹20 crore, the runner-up gets ₹12 crore, the third-place team gets ₹7 crore, and the fourth-place team gets ₹6.5 crore.

'''Fair Play Award:''' The Fair Play Award goes to the squad that manages to display the best sportsmanship on the field throughout the entire season. Moreover, umpires assign them points after each match. Consequently, Chennai Super Kings won the award for the seventh time in 2025.

'''Orange Cap:''' The Orange Cap is meant for the player who has scored the highest number of runs in one season. Moreover, the top run-maker is the one who wears the cap during the games. Sai Sudharsan was the one who got the Orange Cap in 2025 with a total of 759 runs.

'''Purple Cap:''' The Purple Cap is reported to be the leading wicket-taker in general during the season. Besides, the best bowler is the one that wears it whilst fielding. Prasidh Krishna was the winner of the award in 2025 as he took 25 wickets.

'''Most Valuable Player:''' The Most Valuable Player award is given to the best overall performer of the season. Suryakumar Yadav won this award in 2025.

'''Emerging Player Award:''' This award is granted to the best young player of the season. It has been called the Emerging Player of the Year since 2014. And the 2025 winner was Sai Sudharsan.

== Impact and Popularity ==
A professional Twenty20 cricket league in India, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has significantly altered the contemporary game of cricket. The IPL, which was introduced in 2008 by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), combined sports and entertainment through a franchise-based business model. The league gave young Indian players important exposure and chances to show off their skills by bringing together Indian and international cricket players on one platform. With enormous television viewership and a global fan base, the IPL has developed over time into one of the most well-liked and financially successful cricket leagues in the world. Beyond cricket, the IPL has grown to be a cultural phenomenon in India, impacting broadcasting, sports marketing, and the entertainment sector as a whole.

== See also ==
* [[MS Dhoni]]
* [[Rohit Sharma]]
* [[Virat Kohli]]
* [[Suryakumar Yadav]]

== References ==
<references/>
== External links ==
[[Category:Indian Premier League cricketers]]
[[Category:Indian Premier League winners]]