The 11th season of the Indian Premier League (7 April to 27 May) is well underway. Get in on the action with these essential facts about the country’s marquee cricket tournament
8 teams
These are: Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
60 matches
Played in 10 cities all across India in the league’s 11th season.
INR170 million
The amount (US$2.62 million) paid by Royal Challengers Bangalore to retain their captain Virat Kohli for the 2018 season, making him the most expensive player in IPL history
INR16,347.5 crore
The amount paid (about US$2.52 billion) by Star India for broadcast and digital rights for the next five IPL seasons.
156.56km/h
Fastest ball bowled in IPL 2017, by Australia’s Pat Cummins.
705
Number of sixes hit by batsmen in IPL 2017.
175
Highest score by a batsman, smashed off just 66 balls by West Indian Chris Gayle in 2013 while playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore.
4,540
Runs scored by India’s Suresh Raina, the IPL’s all-time top run-scorer; Raina also holds the records for most matches played (161) and most catches taken (86).
3 tournaments
Won by defending champions Mumbai Indians, the IPL’s most successful team.
1.25 billion
Total viewership for IPL 2017, an average of about 21 million viewers per match.
March 28, 2001
Birthdate of Afghan bowler Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who this year became the youngest player to enter an IPL Auction; he was bought by Kings XI Punjab for INR4 crore (about US$616,000).
Find out more about the Indian Premier League here.
This article was originally published in the May 2018 issue of SilverKris magazine.
