Chennai, Mar 26:
Sourav Ganguly has praised the meteoric growth of the Indian Premier League (IPL), saying the T20 tournament now stands shoulder‑to‑shoulder with major global sporting leagues. Ganguly, who played the first ball of the IPL in 2008, described the league’s evolution as “phenomenal” and a major milestone for Indian cricket.
His remarks came in the wake of record franchise sales, including the Royal Challengers Bengaluru team fetching around USD 1.78 billion (approximately ₹16,660 crore) and the Rajasthan Royals changing hands for about USD 1.63 billion, underscoring the league’s growing commercial appeal on the world stage.
Ganguly welcomed interest from international investors, especially from the United States, and highlighted the league’s expanding global footprint. He noted that it was remarkable for an 18‑year‑old competition to attract valuations comparable to established leagues like the National Basketball Association (NBA) and broadcast rights as valuable as those of top global sports properties.
The IPL 2026 season is scheduled to begin on March 28, with the opening match featuring Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Sunrisers Hyderabad.