From hardship allowance to IPL riches, the transformation of Indian cricket

"When the epicentre of the world shifted to India," declared Harsha Bhogle, the revered voice of Indian Cricket, during a popular episode of 'Kutty Stories' on Ashwin's YouTube Channel. But what era was he referring to?

He was alluding to the year 2008 when the Indian Premier League (IPL) made its debut, forever altering the cricketing landscape and propelling India to the forefront of world cricket. What particularly piqued my interest was the mention of the disappearance of "hardship allowance."

So, what exactly is a hardship allowance?

• For many young enthusiasts, the concept may seem unfamiliar, but there was a time when English players received hardship allowances for their tours to India to play cricket.
• These allowances were financial incentives designed to 'compensate' visiting players and support staff for the numerous challenges and hardships they encountered while being far from their homeland.

Indian cricket has come a long way since those days, hasn't it? From a time when foreign players were hesitant to visit and play, to the present, where the world's finest cricketers eagerly participate in the IPL, often at the expense of their national commitments.

The IPL's phenomenal success

Today, the Indian Premier League (IPL) stands as the world's most renowned cricket league, serving as a model for numerous leagues across the globe.

• In 2022, the IPL boasted a staggering brand value of Rs 90,038 crore.
• During the 2015 IPL season alone, the league contributed Rs 1,150 crore to India's GDP.
• According to a report by D and P Advisory, by December 2022, the IPL had achieved 'deca-corn' status with a valuation of USD 10.9 billion, marking an extraordinary 75% growth in dollar terms since 2020 when its valuation stood at $6.2 billion.
• The 2023 IPL final recently set a new record as the most-watched live event on the internet, with a staggering 3.2 crore viewers tuning in simultaneously.
• In 2023, the IPL secured a groundbreaking media rights deal for the period from 2023 to 2027, fetching an astounding USD 6.4 billion. Breaking it down, this equates to a value of USD 13.4 million per match.
• Currently in its sixteenth season, the IPL has expanded to include ten teams. As India prepares to host the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 single-handedly, it marks a significant milestone in the incredible journey of Indian cricket.
• As of now, the IPL has successfully completed sixteen seasons with the number of teams reaching 10. As India now gears up to host the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 single-handedly, the tournament marks a long way ahead Indian cricket has walked.

Now, there's certainly no dust, snake charmers, or the infamous Delhi belly to contend with.