HAPPY 18TH IPL!

-ANIRUDHA R NIJAGAL

It was in 2008 when it all began. The cricketing madness in association with the franchise culture. The brand-new Auction concept, intriguing strategies, urge to draft in the best Indian players into the squad and of course, top Cricket players around the world leading 8 different teams. Those were the days!

On this day in 2008, an idea which became a revolution and the greatest T20 league was born. 18th April 2008 it was! A league which has unmatchable legacy created because of its incredible ability to entertain the fans. IPL is a part of people’s summer in India. Its just blended with the summer vibes, inspiring the kids to take up bat and ball to emulate their heroes. Summer Holidays to kids in school in India – the March-April-May part of the year carries different kind of vibe and excitement. Most of the people can relate to playing cricket as kids under the scorching sun and green trees, creating lifetime memories. I’m short of words to describe the impact of this game in this very country.

Lalit Modi, then Vice President of BCCI is credited as the chief architect and Brain behind the IPL. That was his job and the rest, was the players’ job, who made this league incompatibly successful with the quality of gameplay. Franchise names associated with city or state names, divided the fans but involvement of different state players in different IPL teams also united the fans. Indians along with the foreign players in the same team was another hit because it was something which was never seen before in Cricket.

Over the years, IPL gave us unforgettable moments. We remember IPL starting off in our very own M. Chinnaswamy Stadium against KKR, where Brendon McCullum scored a scintillating 158. IPL has showcased some unparallelled passion and has been a league where impossible became possible more often than not.

IPL has returned in 2025 with same energy, full of fuel ready to script another unforgettable season, but this time with the trophy-less teams playing their best cricket and being in the top half of the points table towards the end of first half of the tournament.

So, as we celebrate the 18th Birthday of IPL on 18th April at the very venue where it all began, with the Icon with No 18 on his back who has played 18 seasons for a single franchise, aged 18*2.

And the rain has just blessed the city while we manifest this as a moment where all the stars are aligned to bless the jersey No 18 and his franchise to which he has given his heart and sweat to, to finally………

LET US NOT JINX

HAPPY BIRTHDAY IPL. End of our childhood, End of IPL’s childhood as well!