IPL vs PSL : Find Out the Differences

Since the late 2000s, T20 cricket tournaments have taken the world by storm. The T20 Blast, the first T20 league, started in England in 2003, but it was soon overshadowed by the Indian Premier League (IPL), which began in 2008.

The IPL revolutionized the sport, blending cricket and entertainment in an unprecedented way. It remains one of the biggest sporting tournaments globally. In 2015, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) was founded, sparking frequent debates about IPL vs PSL.

Origins of IPL and PSL

IPL: The Pioneer of Modern T20 Leagues

The IPL was founded by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on September 13, 2007. Spearheaded by then BCCI Vice-President Lalit Modi, the IPL capitalized on the Indian national team’s success in the T20 World Cup.

An auction held on January 24, 2008, decided the team owners, with franchises costing around $400 million in total. The first match was played between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 18, 2008.

PSL: A Late but Impactful Entry

After years of planning and two failed attempts, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the PSL in September 2015.

The initial franchises’ commercial rights were sold for $93 million over 10 years. Former captains Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raja were ambassadors, and the first match took place on February 4, 2016, in the UAE.

Read More : What is IPL Radio Commentary?

Formats of IPL and PSL

IPL Format

The IPL initially featured eight teams: Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Punjab Kings, and Delhi Capitals.

Two new teams, Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants, were added in 2022, making it a 10-team league. Teams play multiple league stage matches before the top four advance to the playoffs, with the top two teams having two chances to reach the final.

PSL Format

The PSL started with five teams: Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi, and Quetta Gladiators. Multan Sultans joined in the third season, forming a six-team league.

The PSL uses a double round-robin format, where each team plays the others twice. The top four advance to the playoffs, following a similar structure to the IPL.

Prize Money Comparison: IPL vs PSL

IPL Prize Money

In 2024, the IPL winner will earn INR 20 crore, the highest prize in T20 leagues. The runners-up will receive INR 12.5 crore. This lucrative prize structure reflects the IPL’s financial scale and global viewership.

PSL Prize Money

The PSL 2022 winners, Lahore Qalandars, received nearly INR 3.4 crore, while the runners-up, Multan Sultans, got approximately INR 1.5 crore. Though substantial, these amounts are significantly lower than the IPL’s prizes.

Player Salaries: IPL vs PSL

IPL Player Salaries

The IPL is known for its high salaries. In 2022, KL Rahul was the highest-paid player, earning INR 17 crores. Even mid-tier players like Shivam Mavi, who earned INR 7.25 crore, made more than the PSL winners’ prize money.

PSL Player Salaries

PSL players in the platinum category earn a maximum of $170,000 (around INR 1.27 crore). Top players like Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi fall into this category, earning significantly less than their IPL counterparts.

iPL vs psl budget

IPL Team Budgets

The total budget for IPL 2022 teams was a whopping INR 561.5 crore. The extensive budget allows teams to attract top talent from around the world, contributing to the league’s high competitive standard.

PSL Team Budgets

The PSL operates on a draft system without team purses. This limits the financial flexibility of teams compared to the IPL’s auction system, where teams have substantial budgets to bid for players.

Individual Awards: IPL vs PSL

IPL Individual Awards

The IPL gives several prestigious individual awards. The Orange Cap goes to the highest scorer, the Purple Cap to the top wicket-taker, and the Most Valuable Player award is given to the standout performer. Each of these awards comes with a prize of INR 10 lakhs.

PSL Individual Awards

The PSL also rewards top performers. The highest scorer and wicket-taker earn INR 3.75 lakhs each, while the Player of the Tournament receives nearly INR 14.1 lakhs, which is more than the IPL’s MVP prize.

Media Rights and Brand Value: IPL vs PSL

IPL Media Rights and Brand Value

In 2017, IPL’s global media rights were sold for $2.55 billion over five years. The league’s current brand value is $10.7 billion, highlighting its global recognition and commercial success.

PSL Media Rights and Brand Value

In a significant development, PSL’s media rights for 2024 and 2025 were sold for $6.3 billion, slightly surpassing IPL’s media rights for 2022-2027. However, PSL’s brand value is estimated at $330 million, much lower than IPL’s.

iPL vs psl viewership

IPL Viewership

The IPL attracts a vast global audience, contributing to its high revenue and prize money. The league’s success is reflected in its viewership numbers and commercial deals.

IPL 2024 became the largest ever edition in terms of audience reach on TV and digital. The official broadcaster Star Sports recorded an audience reach of 546 million for 67 matches, with more data yet to come out.

PSL Viewership

Over 150 million people watched it digitally. It is not a small thing. At the same stage, IPL’s digital rating was 130 million and PSL’s is more than 150 million.

So this is a great success for Pakistan.The PSL is the second-most viewed T20 league globally, behind the IPL.

Financial Comparison: IPL vs PSL

Richness of PSL

While the PSL has made strides in recent years, it remains financially behind the IPL. The PCB’s contract system limits player earnings compared to the open auction format of the IPL.

Which is Bigger: PSL or IPL?

In terms of financial scale, global viewership, and brand value, the IPL is bigger than the PSL. The IPL’s larger budgets, higher salaries, and greater commercial deals give it a significant edge.

IPL vs PSL: Which is Better?

Both leagues offer high-quality cricket and provide a platform for domestic and international players. However, the IPL’s financial muscle, higher player salaries, and extensive global reach make it the superior league.

IPL vs PSL budget :The IPL teams had a total budget of INR 561.5 crore in 2022, while the PSL operates on a draft system with no team purses.

IPL vs PSL 2024 : The IPL remains ahead in financial aspects and global reach, while the PSL continues to grow and attract significant viewership.

IPL vs PSL which is better : The IPL is generally considered better due to its financial power, higher salaries, and global appeal.

IPL vs PSL viewership : The IPL has a larger global viewership, but the PSL also enjoys substantial viewership, especially in Pakistan and India.

IPL vs PSL net worth :The IPL’s net worth is $10.7 billion, far surpassing the PSL’s estimated $330 million.