There is nobody in this world, being involved in sports in one way or another, that isn't aware of the IPL brand. Whether you are a hardcore fan of cricket or someone who doesn't particularly like the game, but loves to follow sports news headlines from all over the world, whether you are coming from a country where cricket is a popular sport or you live in a place where cricket is just a special betting market offered by bookmakers' sites or a cricket betting exchange app, it is highly unlikely that you have never heard about the Indian Premier League.

The IPL is not just a cricket league. It is a billion-dollar brand, with a huge back-office operational system and a carefully designed business functioning. It is a venture that is so well administered and managed, that has made the IPL brand, the biggest sporting brand in Asia and the second-largest league in the world.

The IPL has reinvented cricket by capitalizing on the unique growth opportunities that the new -at the time- Twenty20 format brought when it came onto the scene and commercializing the tremendous appeal that this fast-paced, dynamic, condensed cricket experience had to audiences. Crafting a smart and highly promising marketing strategy was BCCI's success in creating a new cricketing event that was about to blow everyone's mind.

Also Read: TATA clinches IPL title sponsorship deal at record-breaking Rs 2500 crore, securing rights until 2028

2023 was the best season of all for the Indian Premier League. The league managed to jump to 10.7 billion dollars in value, up by 28% compared to the previous year (in 2022 its brand value stood at 8.4 billion dollars) and become a decacorn or simply put, an enterprise that surpasses the $10 billion valuation. It was not by chance. It was planned up to every bit in an unparalleled and unique mastery exhibited by the IPL's governing body.

The growth in brand value is the result of several factors such as an increase in the IPL's revenue streams, an explosion of franchises' value, Women's Premier League growth, and a scale-up of the league on the global level.

The revenue streams

The revenue streams brought more money than ever before. With viewership rates surging and media rights generating billions of dollars for the IPL, it is no wonder that the IPL has turned into a decacorn. 

The Indian Premier League is the hottest cricketing event -notably, the most popular betted-on league in Allbets.tv sportsbooks- and the audiences keep on expanding and expanding, as they are presented with unique spectacles combining exceptional cricket played by world-class talent and compelling shows skyrocketing entertainment and fun. This has led to a massive broadcasting rights deal amounting to approximately $6.2 billion. 

But revenues also rose by expanding streams of revenue from the two additional franchises - Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants- as well as the influx of visitors to stadiums, which pushed ticket sales to the top. 

And of course, when we are talking about the most successful league in cricket, we are also talking about big money from sponsorships. Not just the title sponsor, who has the lion's share in sponsorship deals, but other sponsors who are proudly spending their money to have their brands appear on the team's jerseys, on the stadiums, or even on advertising banners nearby the events. 

Franchises' value

Franchises achieve global appeal and they are registering their own brand value growth, which adds further to the IPL's upward trend. The top five franchises' collective value exceeds 350 million dollars, with Gujarat Titans demonstrating a nearly 38% increase in 2023 compared to the previous year. 

Moreover, top teams are now making their global presence even more intense, by participating in other leagues and creating more and more opportunities for value growth. 

Women's Premier League

Women's Premier League expanded the audiences and enlarged the customer base which the IPL addresses to. This on its own has significant implications on the brand equity, brand trust, and of course brand value of the league. 

Scaling up to global reach

With everything that goes on in the IPL, from recruiting top talent from the global pool and blending culture, tradition, and modernity in India, the league is getting bigger and bigger and is becoming the benchmark for the management of other leagues in cricket (and in fact, not just cricket). This alone has exploded IPL's popularity at the global level and has driven its growth in brand value. 

3 teams have made their place in the IPL 2025 playoffs and only one team is yet to be decided. There is a fierce battle going on between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals for the remaining playoff spot. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians have made a three new changes in their squad.

Mumbai has announced the replacement of three foreign players. The team has included Jonny Bairstow, Charith Asalanka, and Richard Gleeson in the squad in place of Will Jacks, Ryan Rickelton, and Corbin Bosch. These three foreign players of Mumbai Indians are going to join their respective national teams after playing the last league match. In such a situation, the franchise had no other option but to bring their replacements.

Also Read: Can Shubman Gill or Sai Sudharsan break Kohli's record of most IPL runs in a single season?

Three replacement for MI

Mumbai Indians have included England's experienced wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow in the team as a replacement for Will Jacks for Rs 5.25 crore. Bairstow has had good experience in IPL and is considered an aggressive batsman in the T20 format. His presence is expected to strengthen the top order batting of Mumbai Indians. 

At the same time, English fast bowler Richard Gleeson has been included in the team in place of Ryan Rickelton. Gleeson has been added to Mumbai Indians for Rs 1 crore. He has been signed by Mumbai Indians for Rs 1 crore. Gleeson's fast pace and ability to bowl yorkers in the death overs can prove to be important for the team.

Sri Lankan all-rounder Charith Asalanka has been included in the squad in place of Corbin Bosch for Rs 75 lakh. Asalanka can not only bat aggressively but can also give options to the team with his part-time off-spin bowling.

Also Read: IPL 2025 Playoffs Race: Who Will Claim the Final Spot?

IPL 2025 | Playoffs scenario

Mumbai Indians are currently in the playoff race. If the team qualifies for the next round, then these three new replacement players will be available for the team from the playoff matches. This will help the team to create balance and fill the gap of foreign players.

It is worth noting that Mumbai Indians have 2 matches left in the league stage. In one match, the team will face Delhi Capitals, while in its last league stage match, it will face the challenge of Punjab Kings. Punjab has already made its place in the IPL 2025 playoffs.

In a highly competitive tournament like IPL, every match counts. The pressure intensifies during playoffs and Eliminator is one such example of an high-pressure knockout match. 

From close defeats to disappointing ones, want to know which teams could not manage to survive this round the most times?

Here's the teams with most IPL Eliminator defeats.

Introduction of Eliminator in IPL

IPL's playoff format expanded in 2011 with introduction of Eliminator and Qualifier matches. The previous 3 seasons consisted of two semi-finals, involving the top 4 teams.

The introduction of Eliminator added another layer of excitement and intensity to the game ever since.

Read Also: Most IPL Finals: Teams with most final appearances in IPL history

Teams with most IPL Eliminator defeats

Plenty of teams consistently made their ways to Eliminator by ending up in the 3rd or 4th place in league stage, but only few could make it to the next round.

We have 2 franchises with equal number of defeats in here.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (3 defeats)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru are yet to have their fairytale ending in IPL. They appeared in Eliminator 5 times and lost thrice out of them, which is most number of defeats by a team in IPL Eliminator.

• IPL 2020: lost to SRH by 6 wickets
• IPL 2021: lost to KKR by 4 wickets
• IPL 2024: lost to RR by 4 wickets 

Sunrisers Hyderabad (3 defeats)

Sunrisers Hyderabad shares the joint position with RCB for having equal number of IPL Eliminator defeats. They also played 5 Eliminator matches, and lost 3 out of them.

• IPL 2013: lost to RR by 4 wickets 
• IPL 2017: lost to KKR by 7 wickets 
• IPL 2019: lost to DC by 2 wickets

Read Also: Highest individual scores by players in IPL playoffs

Other teams with more than one defeat in IPL Eliminator

The intensity of IPL playoffs brings out extraordinary performances. Several players have set the bar high with their fearless batting skills and bagging those victories for the teams.

With the IPL 2025 playoffs approaching, it is the best time to examine the highest individual scores by players in the IPL playoffs.

Check out the full list of the highest individual scores by players in the IPL playoffs.

1. Shubham Gill (129 runs) | GT

Shubham Gill shattered all the big batting records of IPL playoffs with his unbelievable knock of 129 runs off 60 balls against Mumbai Indians in IPL 2023 Qualifier 2.

His performance as an opening batsman took Gujarat Titans to a huge total of 233 runs, which they defended comfortably and booked their final berth.

This groundbreaking knock tops the chart for the highest individual scores by players in IPL playoffs.

Read Also: Most IPL Finals: Teams with most final appearances in IPL history

2. Virender Sehwag (122 runs) | PBKS

Virender Sehwag's 122 runs off 58 balls against CSK was the long-standing record of the highest individual score in playoffs for 9 years.

This sensational knock in Qualifier 2 helped Punjab Kings reach the IPL final for the first time.

3. Shane Watson (117* runs) | CSK

The Australian legend, Shane Watson, holds the third position with his 117* runs from 57 balls against SRH in the IPL 2018 Final.

His phenomenal performance led the Chennai Super Kings to their third IPL victory.

Watson smashed 11 fours and 8 sixes, with a strike rate above 200.

Read Also: Safest hands: Most catches in IPL history

4. Wriddhiman Saha (115* runs) | PBKS

An incredible season for the boy of Bengal, Wriddhiman Saha, who dominated till the very end against KKR in the IPL 2014 Final. He scored an unbeaten 115 runs from just 55 balls and helped PBKS reach a defendable total. Saha's ton was the first ton ever scored in an IPL final.

Even though Kolkata Knight Riders pulled off a brilliant victory in that match, Saha's performance won the hearts of the fans!

5. Murali Vijay (113 runs) | CSK

Murali Vijay single-handedly took CSK to a humongous total in the Qualifier 2 of IPL 2012. His remarkable contribution of 113 runs from 58 balls made things easier for their team.

With this victory against Delhi Capitals, CSK headed towards the Final and Murali Vijay was rewarded player of the match.

Read Also: Most Sixes in an innings by an Indian in IPL

6. Rajat Patidar (112*) | RCB

Rajat Patidar has proven to be one of the impactful figures for Royal Challengers Bengaluru ever since his debut in 2021. He left a stellar lasting impression with his knock of 112* runs from 54 balls against LSG in IPL 2022 Eliminator.

His contribution was extremely crucial for the team as their batting line-up collapsed early in the first innings. However, RCB successfully defeated LSG to move ahead in the tournament, with credit to Patidar.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have announced ticket refunds for their IPL 2025 match against Kolkata Knight Riders at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, which was called off without a ball being bowled due to persistent rain on Saturday.

Also Read: IPL 2025 updated squads and full replacement list of each team

RCB announced on their social media handle on X that they will provide a refund to the ticket holders for the cancelled IPL 2025 game against KKR at the Chinnaswamy.

🚨 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: 𝐓𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐂𝐁 𝐯𝐬 𝐊𝐊𝐑 🎟️

As the game between RCB and KKR on 17th May 2025 was abandoned due to inclement weather, all valid ticket holders are eligible for a full refund.

Digital ticket holders will… pic.twitter.com/Wfpub1p5h3

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 18, 2025

"As the game between RCB and KKR on 17th May 2025 was abandoned due to inclement weather, all valid ticket holders are eligible for a full refund," the franchise said in a statement.

"Digital ticket holders will receive their refunds within 10 working days to the original account used to book the tickets. In case you do not receive the refund by 31st May, kindly send an email to refund@ticketgenie.in with your booking details to escalate the matter."

Both teams awarded one point each

After Saturday's rain, both RCB and KKR were awarded one point each. RCB topped the IPL 2025 points table with 17 points from 12 matches and moved closer to sealing their place in the playoffs, while KKR were out of the race for the top four with 12 points from 13 matches.

Also Read: IPL 2025: Will Mitchell Starc have to pay the price for pulling out mid-way? Explained

RCB to seal their place in playoffs 

RCB will now host Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 23 and then take on Lucknow Super Giants on May 27. RCB can seal their place in the last four even before playing their next match, as they will advance if either Punjab Kings or Delhi Capitals lose on Sunday.

The excitement of IPL 2025 is set to begin once again on May 17. However, the availability of foreign players has been a major challenge for many teams after the one-week postponement.

Many foreign players have returned to India for the remaining matches of IPL, but some have completely refused to come this season. One of them is the name of Australian legend Mitchell Starc. Starc was part of the Delhi Capitals team in IPL 2025.

Also Read: KKR Redefines Matchday Atmosphere with Unmatched Tifo Displays during IPL 2025

Starc returned due to India-Pakistan tension

However, Mitchell Starc returned to Australia due to tensions between India and Pakistan. Starc was also involved in the match when there was a sudden blackout in the match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala.

Many foreign players who played in this match were in shock, but now the situation has become normal and the tournament is starting again. In such a situation, there are many foreign players who have returned.

There is talk of imposing a penalty on Starc

Mitchell Starc was an important player for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025, but Starc may be in trouble due to his non-return in the remaining matches. Starc was bought by Delhi Capitals for Rs 11.75 crore in the mega auction.

In such a situation, it is believed that the Delhi Capitals team can deduct the auction fee if he does not return for the remaining matches of the season, for which the Australian bowler is also said to be ready.

According to the report, Mitchell Starc may face a penalty of 400000 Australian dollars i.e. Rs 3.92 crore if he does not return to IPL 2025. This amount will be deducted from his auction fee.

Also Read: IPL 2025: Here are the overseas players who might not come for the remainder of the tournament

Starc's performance in IPL 2025

Talking about Starc's performance in IPL 2025, he has taken 14 wickets in 11 matches for Delhi Capitals at an economy rate of 10.16. Starc bowled very economically this season. So, his return could prove to be a big loss for Delhi Capitals as the team is in dire need of wins to make it to the top four of the tournament. 

Delhi Capitals are currently fifth on the IPL 2025 Points Table and are among the four contenders for the playoffs’ spot. They have three matches remaining, and a win in at least two of them will take them closer to the qualification. Winning all three, will guarantee a top four finish.