During the late 2000s, there was a boom in T20 cricket. England’s T20 Blast was the first one to be played in 2003, while the Indian Premier League (IPL), which started in 2008, redefined cricket as a game by merging it with an unprecedented spectacle. It remains among the top sports events globally. Cricket Australia established the Big Bash League in response to IPL’s lucrative model. Its crowds were huge, and it tried out T20 rules. This success led to a wave of similar leagues: the Caribbean Premier League (September 2013) and the Pakistan Super League (February 2015). The PSL quickly became a big success, with six different winners in seven seasons and ranking as the subcontinent’s second-largest T20 league after IPL.
The debate on IPL vs. PSL has persisted since the inaugural season of PSL in 2015, but are we still comparing apples with oranges? Let us check it out!
IPL vs PSL: Background of the Leagues
Indian Premier League
Currently, being among the richest sporting leagues worldwide didn’t come overnight for the Indian Premier League. The Board of Control for Cricket in India, as its owner, has been featuring ten franchises since IPL from 2023, representing different cities/states within India fighting against each other, whereas there were only eight teams before IPL. Till then, they added Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans.
The mission statement of IPL was exactly this- entertain through cricket and thus take it to new heights of popularity & financial success which it did.
Today, it is still unrivalled when it comes to global T20 cricket leagues; however, is the impact too much? BCCI has become the richest cricket board on the planet because of the IPL; although some view this as detrimental due to the excessive commercialization involved, others see it differently.
Pakistan Super League
The Pakistan Super League was established in 2015. It is a T20 league consisting of six franchises from different cities in Pakistan. PSL was born out of an ambition to bring international cricket back to Pakistan by overcoming security challenges with strong determination, and this has become a platform where some of the most celebrated cricketers in Pakistan shine.
The world travelling to play in the league has been able to tell the world how good the PSL is, according to PCBs.
IPL vs PSL: Players’ Salary
For any T20 league like IPL or PSL to succeed it must bring in top notch players and competitive salaries have a big role here. These tournaments offer financial stability, paying players back for their talents and time spent away from home. How do these two leagues compare in terms of earning potential?
The PSL: Structured Salary System
PSL does not have auctions. Therefore, it’s draft based selection. Player contracts are arranged into five categories by the PCB:
- Platinum – The highest earners where salaries range between $130k – $170k (e.g., Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Rassier Van der Dussen, Kieron Pollard 2024)
- Diamond – Salaries between $60k-$80K
- Gold– Salaries between $40k-50K
- Silver– Salaries between $15k-25K
- Emerging players-$7,500
- Supplementary-$50,000 (can be used for replacements)
The IPL Auction
The IPL does not have set salary bands and uses a dynamic auction. Each franchise has a budget, and players set a minimum base price (at least Rs 20 lakh in the season of 2024). This led to bidding wars that pushed up salaries considerably as top players such as Mitchell Starc (INR 24.75 crore) got in 2024.
The Outcome
Between the two leagues, however, while they both generate massive incomes, IPL’s auction system results in a larger dispersion of earnings with potentially extremely high pay at the top end. This financial imbalance is among the key factors that determine the selection of cricket players in T20 leagues. There is a possibility that Pakistan’s highest-earning athlete will earn less money than an IPL debutant may make in PSL.
IPL vs PSL: Player Awards Salary
Both the IPL and PSL acknowledge exceptional performances through prestigious individual awards and substantial cash prizes. In IPL, there is an Orange Cap for highest run scorer while for the leading wicket taker there is Purple Cap. The Most Valuable Player award goes to one player who had the best performance throughout the tournament. All these titles come with INR 10 lakh each.
Equally so, PSL also rewards its best performers. The highest run-scorer and wicket-taker are each given INR 3.75 Lakhs. However, it is worth noting that when compared to the IPL’s Most Valuable Player award, this sum is dwarfed by other prizes offered by the Tournament, including PSL Player of Tournament, which offers almost INR14,10000.
IPL vs PSL: Prize Money
PSL shows an outlay less than what IPL does; therefore showing how much bigger it is financially and globally viewed. Lahore Qalandars of PSL 2023 champions earned PKR 120 million (about INR 3.40 crore) followed by Multan Sultans at PKR 48 million (about INR 1.36 crore) who were runners-up.
On the other hand, Chennai Super Kings winners in IPL 2023 took home Rs 20 Crores while Gujarat Titans runners-up got Rs 12.50 Crores.The difference between these two leagues can also be found in individual prizes such as highest run scorer where PSL offers approximately INR-14,86 lakh whereas IPL gives INR-10 lakh only.
IPL vs PSL: Broadcasting Rights
The difference in financial scale between IPL and PSL was apparent in their media rights agreements until last year. In 2017, IPL’s global media rights were sold for an astounding $2.55 billion (approximately Rs 17,000 crore) for five years, overshadowing PSL’s media rights deal of $36 million (around Rs 300 crore) for three years in 2019.
However, in a notable development, the media rights for PSL for 2024 and 2025 were recently acquired for an impressive $6.3 billion (approximately Rs 52,000 crore). This narrowly surpasses the media rights value for IPL’s seasons from 2022 to 2027, secured for $6.2 billion (about Rs 51,000 crore).
The disparity in brand value between the two tournaments is significant. IPL currently holds a staggering brand value of $10.7 billion (approximately Rs 88,000 crore), showcasing its global recognition and commercial success. On the other hand, PSL’s brand value is estimated to be $330 million (around Rs 2,700 crore).
While PSL has shown improvement, especially with recent media rights deals, it still lags significantly behind IPL in terms of brand value, solidifying IPL’s position as one of the most valuable and widely followed cricket leagues globally.
IPL vs PSL: Which is More Popular?
Undoubtedly, the Indian Premier League holds more popularity than the Pakistan Super League because of its launch back in 2008 which gave it enough time to become the leading T20 cricket league of the world. In addition to that, the BCCI’s financial power and the best facilities allow it to get cricket greats as well as reach all corners of the globe through global broadcasting.
Spectators enjoy breathtaking encounters in IPL matches that take place in top-ranked arenas. Also, it should be mentioned here that strategic marketing efforts have significantly boosted this popularity.
Despite starting later (in 2016), PSL is a growing league. It has become popular in Pakistan and around the world for attracting international players who deliver competitive cricket. The PSL’s constant development, including infrastructure spending, suggests a positive outlook.
It is obvious that IPL will always carry a lot of brand value because it has a worldwide reach involving famous players from different parts of the earth.
IPL vs PSL: Which is Better?
So let us now get straight to the point: which is better – IPL or PSL? Here are some major considerations:
Quality Of Cricketers
IPL: Since the early stages with support from moneyed sponsors & owners, lack of top-class talent was never an issue with the Indian Premier League. This is the main attraction for fans around the world.
PSL: For instance, the PSL has had a lot of difficulties in signing high-profile international players, which is said to be due to factors like low wages and security reasons. Conversely, if we could attract some big stars in the tournament, it would go a long way in increasing viewership figures and narrowing down the gap with the IPL.
Fan Base
IPL: The massive Indian populace and ardent cricket lovers have made a significant contribution towards securing more fans for the IPL as opposed to other nations. This popularity has helped it dominate across borders by targeting audiences both within India and outside of India.
PSL: It serves the purpose of having its own fan following even though it operates on a smaller scale within its domestic market. For the PSL to thrive going forward, expansion of its fan base is vital.
Infrastructure and Resources
IPL: The BCCI’s substantial resources fuel the IPL’s world-class stadiums, cutting-edge technology, and comfortable player amenities. These investments enhance the overall quality of the league.
PSL: The PSL has also invested in infrastructure. While it may not yet match the IPL’s scale, continuous improvement in this area will boost the league’s appeal.
Money
IPL: This is where the rest of the factors also depend on. The kind of money IPL generates solves all the problems that a league might face. A significantly higher salary cap allows IPL teams to secure and retain the best players. This translates to high-calibre competition and exciting matches. The IPL’s impressive revenue generation even surpasses that of major football leagues.
PSL: While the PSL offers competitive salaries, the IPL’s financial advantage is a key differentiator. Increased financial resources could help the PSL close this gap.
Broadcasting
IPL: The IPL sets the bar for production quality with top-notch broadcasting, commentary, and advertising. This polished presentation contributes to its global appeal.
PSL: The PSL’s production quality continues to improve. Addressing fan feedback and striving to match the IPL’s standard could positively impact viewer experience.
What do Cricketers Prefer: IPL or PSL?
The IPL’s higher salaries and larger budgets make it a lucrative draw for players seeking both financial rewards and global recognition. It offers a platform for top players to showcase their skills to an international audience.
At the same time, the PSL positions itself as a crucial stepping stone for talented young Pakistani players aiming for the international stage. Recognizing this, PSL teams are investing in top-tier coaches to maximise player development and boost their teams’ success.
However, the difference in salaries between coaches and players is humongous, to say the least. This is why there are players who feature ]only in the Indian Premier League and skip the Pakistan Super League. However, some cricketers play in both IPL and PSL. However, you will rarely find a player who would like to feature in the PSL but not the IPL.
Even former Pakistan cricketer Wahab Riaz accepted the difference between the leagues and admitted on Pakistan Cricket’s YouTube channel:
“IPL is a league where all the top international players come and play. You can’t compare IPL with PSL, I believe IPL is at a different level. Their commitments, the way they run things, communicate things, the way they draft the players, that is totally different.”
However, Riaz also added that when it comes to quality bowlers, PSL still wins it.
Conclusion
Both the IPL and PSL offer thrilling T20 cricket, each with its unique strengths and challenges. The IPL’s head start, financial power, and larger fan base currently make it the premier league in the world of T20 cricket. However, the PSL’s ongoing development, growing popularity, and potential for attracting top talent suggest a promising future.
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