Most Popular T20 Leagues In The World: The T20 format was introduced with the primary aim of providing entertainment. This shortened format immediately drew fans from all walks of life, making it the most popular format in the world. The overwhelming success of the 2007 T20 World Cup led to the emergence of various franchise cricket leagues worldwide.
Following the success of the 2007 T20 World Cup, various franchise cricket leagues emerged worldwide, including the Indian Premier League launched by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) just a year later. Other top nations also created their own T20 cricket leagues, which have been equally successful. Today, cricketers are highly interested in participating in T20 leagues around the world.
It is worth noting that the global T20 tournament involves a significant amount of money, and players nowadays enjoy more luxurious privileges than they did in the past. Due to the leagues’ popularity, many companies are interested in investing in franchises for the T20 tournament.
The popularity of T20 leagues is highly competitive and the prize money tends to differ across various leagues. Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the well-known T20 leagues currently taking place globally.
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The Indian Premier League (IPL) is undeniably the most popular T20 league worldwide, and its success is evident in its well-structured format. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has prohibited Indian contracted players from participating in other T20 leagues, but the tournament’s high payout makes it a lucrative opportunity. Fans flock to the matches, and the two-month event is celebrated like a festival throughout the country.
The Rajasthan Royals won the first IPL edition in 2008, with the Gujarat Titans being the current champions. Mumbai Indians hold the record for the most tournament wins with five titles, followed by the popular Chennai Super Kings.
Since its inception, the IPL has taken the game to the next level in India and has identified talent from various regions. While eight teams participated previously, the number increased to ten this year, with the top four qualifying for the playoffs to determine the finalists. The winner of the tournament receives INR 20 Crores, while the runner-up receives INR 13 Crores. The third and fourth-placed teams receive INR 6.5 Crores each, which is much higher than other cricketing leagues
The Big Bash League (BBL) is Australia’s top T20 league tournament, established by Cricket Australia (CA) in 2011. The tournament has been highly viewed and has impressive crowd attendance. Local talents have often outshone the overseas contingent in the tournament, which has seen popular names participate. The tournament serves as a platform for players to showcase their skills and make an entry into the international side.
The group stages involve eight teams, including Adelaide Strikers, Melbourne Renegades, Melbourne Stars, Sydney Sixers, Sydney Thunder, Hobart Hurricanes, Perth Scorchers, and Brisbane Heat. The top five teams qualify for playoffs to determine the finalists. The tournament winner receives a cash prize of $450,000 (approximately), with the runner-up receiving around $260,000. The two losing semi-finalists receive $80,000, while the fifth-placed team gets $20,000 more or less.
The Pakistan Super League, which was established by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has become a rapidly growing cricket league and is gaining more popularity. Despite the tough schedule, some T20 superstars have decided to participate in the tournament, making it more competitive with up to five overseas players included in the playing XI.
The first tournament was launched in 2016, and currently, six franchises – Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi, and Quetta Gladiators – compete against each other. Islamabad United is the most successful franchise with two titles, while Lahore Qalandars are the reigning champions. The top four teams in the group stages proceed to the playoffs.
Initially, the cash prize involved in PSL was lower compared to other leagues, but it has been increased in recent years. The winner receives a prize of PKR 80 million, which is approximately equal to ₹3.40 Crores, while the runner-up receives PKR 32 million (₹90+ Lakh). The player of the tournament is awarded PKR 3 million (₹8+Lakh).
The Cricket West Indies (CWI) established the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in 2013, making it a highly-followed tournament worldwide. The T20 format has been a traditional strength for West Indies, with many talented players emerging from the tournament into the international arena, including Sunil Narine.
The tournament features six teams – Barbados Royals, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Jamaica Tallawahs, St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, Saint Lucia Kings, and Trinbago Knight Riders – who compete in a round-robin format, with the top four teams advancing to the semi-finals.
Trinbago Knight Riders have won the most CPL titles, while St Kitts & Nevis Patriots are the current champions. The tournament winner receives a prize of $1 million (approx. ₹7.98 Crores), with the runner-up earning $660,000 (₹5+Crore), the third-placed team receiving $250,000 (₹2+Crore), and the fourth-placed team receiving $100,000 (₹82+Lakh). Additionally, the players are awarded prize money of $150,000 (₹1+Crore) for participating in the tournament.
The English and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) established the world’s first professional T20 cricket league, the T20 Blast, in 2003. With various sponsors over the years, the current league is named Vitality T20 Blast since 2018. The Surrey Lions won the first Twenty20 league final by defeating the Warwickshire Bears. The tournament consists of 18 counties divided into two groups, with the top four teams from each group qualifying for the quarterfinals, followed by the semi-finals and the finals.
Presently, Somerset holds the title of the Vitality Blast in 2023, winning against Essex by a margin of 14 runs. The most successful teams in the tournament are the Hampshire Hawks and Leicestershire Foxes, with three titles each.
The T20 Blast attracts top cricketers from around the world, with big names in the format playing for various counties. The winning team receives a cash prize of £175,000, which is equivalent to (₹ 1.67 Crores), while the runner-up team receives £78,000 (₹82+Lakh). Losing semi-finalist counties receive £14,000 (₹14+Lakh), and losing quarter-finalist counties receive £4,500 (₹4+Lakh).
The Bangladesh Cricket Board initiated the Bangladesh Premier League in 2012, which is now a prominent franchise cricket league and one of the most successful T20 leagues in the country. It is among the three professional cricket leagues in Bangladesh, and seven teams compete for the top prize worth USD 236,099 (₹1+Crore).
It has been instrumental in producing numerous talented players, with recent stars such as Mustafeez ur Rehman emerging from its ranks. The high-pressure games and exposure to a bigger platform have instilled a newfound confidence in current Bangladeshi players, a trait never before seen in any Bangladeshi team. Every BPL edition sees seven teams fiercely competing for the ultimate victory.
The Lanka Premier League (LPL) is a highly successful Twenty20 cricket league launched by Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC) in 2020, featuring six teams representing different cities in Sri Lanka. The league follows a double round-robin format, with the top four teams advancing to the playoffs.
The winner of the tournament is rewarded with 50 million Sri Lankan rupees (approx ₹1+Crore) . The LPL has not only attracted large crowds and high television viewership, but it has also helped promote cricket in Sri Lanka and provided a platform for young Sri Lankan cricketers to showcase their talent.
The Jaffna Kings are the most successful team in the LPL, having won the tournament twice. Other teams in the league include the Galle Titans, Colombo Strikers, Jaffna Kings, Dambulla Aura and B-Love Kandy. The LPL is a globally popular cricket league that offers fans the chance to witness some of the world’s best cricketers in action while affording young Sri Lankan cricketers a chance to hone their skills and display their talent.
The Afghanistan Premier League (APL) is a domestic T20 cricket championship organized by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB). Due to internal disturbances and security concerns in Afghanistan, the tournament is held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The first edition of APL was held from 5 October to 21 October 2018 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium and featured more than forty overseas players alongside native Afghani players.
In August 2018, ICC approved and gave the go-ahead for Afghanistan Premier League T20 plans, marking a historic moment for Afghanistan cricket. The tournament comprises five teams, and the winning team receives a prize money of USD 300,000 (₹2+ crores), which is significantly higher than the prize money awarded in T20 Blast, LPL, and BPL.
The SA20 League, a new franchise-based T20 tournament launched by Cricket South Africa (CSA) in 2023, has garnered positive feedback from fans and critics alike. The tournament features six teams representing different cities across the country, with the Sunrisers Eastern Cape emerging as champions in the inaugural edition.
The tournament has attracted large crowds, and its top-notch cricket, featuring some of the best players from South Africa and beyond, has earned it widespread acclaim. Undoubtedly, the SA20 League is a significant addition to South Africa’s cricketing calendar, and it is poised to remain a favorite among fans for years to come.
The Nepal Premier League, also known as Everest Premier League (EPL), is a highly anticipated professional cricket tournament played in Nepal. The league is played in a Twenty-20 format and consists of round-robin leagues from the groups. The inaugural edition of the tournament took place in September 2016 and featured six franchises comprising of both domestic and international players.
This cricket tournament has a rich history as it brings together local and international players, making it a unique and exciting event. The Zohra Sports Management and Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) have worked together exclusively to introduce this amazing tournament to the world.
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A young and passionate writer with a postgraduate degree in Radio and Television Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kumar Shubham works as an Executive Content Writer for Gutshot Magazine and enjoys watching movies, making short films, and doing voice overs.
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