Indian Premier League (IPL)
(CRICKET WORLD)
Launched as well as promoted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Indian Premier League (IPL) made its debut in April 2008. Based on the English Premier League (football) and the National Basketball League (NBA) of the United States, IPL is a professional Twenty20 cricket league. It has been backed by the ICC and has a total of eight teams, with each of them being made up of a minimum of 16 players. The first season of the Indian Premier League was kick-started on 18th April 2008. The season came to an end on 1st June 2008, with Rajasthan Royals being declared as the champions. Just like the football and basketball leagues in America, DLF Indian Premier League has a franchise-system for hiring players as well as for transfers. The franchises are auctioned off, with the highest bidder being the owner of a particular team. Player Auction & ICON Players After the formation of IPL, the first players' auction took place on 20th February 2008. Out of all the Indian players, IPL placed 'icon status' on a select few, namely Rahul Dravid, Saurav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, and Virender Sehwag. Initially, VVS Laxman was also given icon status, but he opted out of it voluntarily. The main reason behind it was provide his team Deccan Chargers) with more money to bid for players. Icon players are not bid upon and play for their home city only. Inaugural Season The inaugural season i.e. the first season of IPL T20 cricket started on 18th April 2008, in Bangalore - the IT Hub of India. In the season, a total of 57 matches were scheduled, spread over 46 days. Of the 59 matches, only 58 were played, one being disrupted by rain. All the eight teams played against each other twice, in a round robin system. After each of the team had played with the seven other teams twice, the top four ranking sides moved to semi-finals. The winners of the two semi-finals played the finals, with its outcome deciding the champions.
