Applause for Cricket, Silence for Badminton

Mumbai: When Lakshya Sen walked off the court after the final of the All England Badminton Championships, he carried with him the disappointment of another near miss. The Indian shuttler went down in straight games to Lin Chun-Yi, who created history by becoming the first player from Chinese Taipei to lift the prestigious title. But the story of Lakshya Sen’s defeat is not merely about badminton final. It is also about the contrasting way India celebrates its sporting heroes. Had the same...

min read

Applause for Cricket, Silence for Badminton

Mumbai: When Lakshya Sen walked off the court after the final of the All England Badminton Championships, he carried with him the disappointment of another near miss. The Indian shuttler went down in straight games to Lin Chun-Yi, who created history by becoming the first player from Chinese Taipei to lift the prestigious title. But the story of Lakshya Sen’s defeat is not merely about badminton final. It is also about the contrasting way India celebrates its sporting heroes. Had the same narrative unfolded on a cricket field, the reaction would have been dramatically different. In cricket, even defeat often becomes a story of heroism. A hard-fought loss by the Indian team can dominate television debates, fill newspaper columns and trend across social media for days. A player who narrowly misses a milestone is still hailed for his fighting spirit. The nation rallies around its cricketers not only in victory but also in defeat. The narrative quickly shifts from the result to the effort -- the resilience shown, the fight put up, the promise of future triumph. This emotional investment is one of the reasons cricket enjoys unparalleled popularity in India. It has built a culture where players become household names and their performances, good or bad, become part of the national conversation. Badminton Fights Contrast that with what happens in sports like badminton. Reaching the final of the All England Championships is a monumental achievement. The tournament is widely considered badminton’s equivalent of Wimbledon in prestige and tradition. Only the very best players manage to reach its final stages, and doing it twice speaks volumes about Lakshya Sen’s ability and consistency. Yet the reaction in India remained largely subdued. There were congratulatory posts, some headlines acknowledging the effort and brief discussions among badminton enthusiasts. But the level of national engagement never quite matched the magnitude of the achievement. In a cricketing context, reaching such a stage would have triggered days of celebration and analysis. In badminton, it often becomes just another sports update. Long Wait India’s wait for an All England champion continues. The last Indian to win the title was Pullela Gopichand in 2001. Before him, Prakash Padukone had scripted history in 1980. These victories remain among the most significant milestones in Indian badminton. And yet, unlike cricketing triumphs that are frequently revisited and celebrated, such achievements rarely stay in the mainstream sporting conversation for long. Lakshya Sen’s journey to the final should ideally have been viewed as a continuation of that legacy, a reminder that India still possesses the talent to challenge the world’s best in badminton. Instead, it risks fading quickly from public memory. Visibility Gap The difference ultimately comes down to visibility and cultural investment. Cricket in India is not merely a sport; it is an ecosystem built over decades through media attention, sponsorship, and mass emotional attachment. Individual sports, on the other hand, often rely on momentary bursts of recognition, usually during Olympic years or when a medal is won. But consistent performers like Lakshya Sen rarely receive the sustained spotlight that their achievements deserve. This disparity can also influence the next generation. Young athletes are naturally drawn to sports where success brings recognition, financial stability and national fame. When one sport monopolises the spotlight, others struggle to build similar appeal. Beyond Result Lakshya Sen may have finished runner-up again, but his performance at the All England Championship is a reminder that India continues to produce world-class athletes in disciplines beyond cricket. The real issue is not that cricket receives immense attention -- it deserves the admiration it gets. The concern is that athletes from other sports often do not receive comparable appreciation for achievements that are equally significant in their own arenas. If India aspires to become a truly global sporting nation, its applause must grow broader. Sporting pride cannot remain confined to one field. Because somewhere on a badminton court, an athlete like Lakshya Sen is fighting just as hard for the country’s colours as any cricketer on a packed stadium pitch. The only difference is how loudly the nation chooses to cheer.

IPL’s Billion-Dollar Boost: How Cricket Powers India’s Economy

Waleed Hussain
Mar 30, 2025
3 min read

Since its inception in 2008, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has not only redefined cricket but has also orchestrated a financial symphony that resonates across various sectors of the economy. The league’s innovative blend of sports and entertainment has transformed cricket into a lucrative enterprise, with ripples felt far beyond the boundaries of the pitch.

A Decacorn in the Cricketing World

The IPL’s brand value has experienced meteoric growth, achieving ‘decacorn’ status—a term reserved for entities valued over $10 billion. In 2023, the league’s consolidated brand value, including that of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), stood at a staggering $10.7 billion, marking a 28 per cent increase from $8.4 billion in 2022. This valuation not only underscores the league’s financial prowess but also its significant role in elevating cricket’s commercial landscape.

Broadcasting Rights: The Golden Goose

A substantial portion of the IPL’s revenue stems from broadcasting rights. For the 2018-2022 cycle, these rights were sold for a colossal $2.55 billion. The trend continued with the 2023 season, where media rights were auctioned for a whopping $6.4 billion, translating to $13.4 million per match. This escalation reflects the insatiable appetite for live cricket content and the league’s ability to attract massive viewership, making it a broadcaster’s delight.

Economic Ripple Effects

The IPL’s economic impact extends beyond the cricketing fraternity. In 2020, the league infused approximately $6.7 billion into India’s economy. This influx is attributed to various factors, including tourism, employment generation, and advertising revenues. The 60-day tournament format not only captivates audiences but also stimulates economic activity across multiple sectors.

Tourism and Hospitality: A Beneficiary

The tourism and hospitality sectors have been significant beneficiaries of the IPL’s success. In 2019, the league attracted around 400,000 tourists to India, generating approximately $68 million for the hospitality industry. The return of the IPL to India in 2025 is anticipated to further bolster revenues in these sectors, highlighting the league’s role as a catalyst for tourism.

Sponsorships and Advertising: A Lucrative Avenue

Sponsorship deals have been a cornerstone of the IPL’s financial model. In 2023, the total sponsorship fees reached approximately INR 1.9 billion (around $24 million), with prominent brands like the Tata Group and Dream11 associating themselves with the league. This lucrative avenue not only enhances brand visibility for sponsors but also contributes significantly to the league’s revenue streams.

Franchise Valuations: Skyrocketing Assets

The financial success of the IPL is mirrored in the soaring valuations of its franchises. For instance, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have seen their brand value escalate over the years, reflecting the overall growth trajectory of the league. This surge in franchise valuations underscores the IPL’s robust business model and its appeal to investors.

A Humorous Spin: Cricket’s Economic Powerplay

To put the IPL’s economic impact into perspective, consider this: the league’s 2023 media rights deal of $6.4 billion is akin to purchasing over 400 million cricket bats! Alternatively, with the $10.7 billion valuation, one could acquire approximately 2,140 private jets, turning every franchise owner into a high-flying magnate—literally.

The IPL’s Legacy in Cricket’s Economy

The IPL has undeniably altered the economic landscape of cricket, transforming it into a multi-billion-dollar industry with far-reaching effects. From broadcasting rights to tourism, the league’s financial footprint is expansive, illustrating the potent synergy between sports and commerce. As the IPL continues to innovate and grow, its role as a catalyst in cricket’s economic evolution remains indisputable.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has experienced remarkable financial growth since its inception in 2008. While specific annual revenue data from 2008 to 2024 is limited, we can observe the league’s financial trajectory through available figures:

• 2008: The inaugural season’s broadcasting rights were sold for approximately `820 crore per year.

• 2014: The IPL’s brand value was estimated at $3.2 billion.

• 2021: The brand value increased to $4.7 billion.

• 2023: The IPL achieved a valuation of $10.7 billion, marking a 433 per cent growth since 2008.

• 2024: The brand value further rose to $12 billion.

This data illustrates the IPL’s substantial economic impact and its evolution into a major sports league globally.

(The author is a journalist based in Mumbai. Views personal.)