BY S VENKAT NARAYAN

Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, April 24:

The Indian Premier League (IPL), the Multi-Billion-Dollar Baby owned by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has made 789 cricketers from 12 countries multi-millionaires during the 14 years of its existence.

Hailed as the richest T20 tournament in the world that attracts the best talent from the dozen countries that play cricket, the eight franchises have spent a total of INR 61.44 billion, or USD 81.9 million, on the salaries of 789 cricketers from 12 countries.

The IPL’s brand value is INR 458 billion, or $6.1 billion.

The eight squads in the IPL are: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Mumbai Indians (MI), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Punjab Kings (PK), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Delhi Capitals (DC) and Rajasthan Royals (RR).

Since IPL started in 2008, a total of 789 players have seen their lives changed forever after earning lucrative IPL contracts. 

While Indian players have earned the majority of the bucks from IPL auctions, Australian and South African players follow them with the likes of West Indies, England and New Zealand players next in the list.  

India: 583 Indian cricketers have earned a staggering INR 34.33 billion from the 14 IPL seasons.

Sri Lanka: Despite no players participating in IPL 2021, the Islanders have earned INR 1.96 after participation of 27 players in the tournament over the years. 

 Australia: With 94 Aussie cricketers having played in IPL in 14 years, they have bagged INR 9.06 billion. 

South Africa: The players from the rainbow nation are third on the list. As many as 56 Proteas players have participated in IPL and took home INR 5.39 billion from the cash-rich tournament. 

West Indies: 33 Windies players have earned INR 4.58 billion.

England: A total of 33 English players have participated in the IPL while earning a mammoth INR 2.86 billion. 

New Zealand: A total of 31 players from New Zealand have played in IPL, earning INR 2.12 billion. 

Afghanistan: Only four Afghani players have played in IPL thus far having earned INR 584 million. 

Bangladesh: Only six Bangladesh players have participated in IPL in 14 editions with their earning standing at INR 347.8 million.

Pakistan: While Pakistan players were only allowed in the IPL during the initial phase of the tournament, a total of 11 players played in the tournament, earning INR 128.4 million. 

Netherlands: Only two players have made the cut from the Netherlands in IPL and earned INR 52.7 million. 

Zimbabwe: Just three players have played in IPL from Zimbabwe, earning INR 10 million.