The shortest format of the sport has boomed over the years since the inception of the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup. It was in 2008 that the BCCI, the apex cricket board in India decided to start a league of its own, the Indian Premier League. It began to provide a platform for youngsters to play alongside the biggest names in the cricketing fraternity. The IPL started the group stage format with the higher-ranked teams in the IPL Points Table qualifying for the playoffs.
Following this, league cricket exploded in the last decade or so with almost every cricketing nation taking the opportunity to kickstart a new league. This immediately garnered a lot of attention and fans were hooked to their television sets to follow their teams play and this in turn also began the rise of Fantasy cricket. Fans began to follow the game up close to create their playing XI to the best of their knowledge with Fantasy Cricket Tips and their understanding of the squads and making their analysis.
- Vitality T20 Blast
England’s premier T20 cricket competition, the Vitality T20 Blast has 18 counties taking part in the league. The tournament’s format is such that it has divisions based on two groups with four sides from each making it to the elimination rounds. The winner receives prize money of £175,000 while the runner-up receives prize money of £78,000.
- Caribbean Premier League (CPL)
Established in 2013, the CPL has flourished into becoming one of the finest top-tier leagues in the world. The popularity of the league is massive with fans eager to witness the action between the six teams every season. The winner amasses $1 million while the runner-up receives prize money of $660,000.
- Pakistan Super League (PSL)
The PSL started off to develop good quality cricket and to some level, counter the likes of the rival’s league, IPL. The league has seen many young sensations getting groomed in the ambience and has inched towards becoming one of the most followed leagues in cricket.
- Big Bash League (BBL)
Started in 2011-12, Cricket Australia gave its taste to the league with catchy franchise names coupled with high-profile players playing in the league. The popularity is so massive that the board even kickstarted the women’s edition of the league.
- Indian Premier League (IPL)
Arguably the best league thus far is the IPL. From its promotional campaign, the advertisements, drama, high-profile players, and team rivalries, all of it has made this league humongous. Other leagues in the world pay heed to the format followed by the IPL. BCCI mints billions of rupees from the league considering its massive success.
