The Indian Premier League is expecting even higher returns in the years ahead after striking a bumper $2.55 billion broadcast deal to become one of the world's richest sports competitions.
IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla believes there is plenty more growth to come for the glitzy Twenty20 cricket league, whose heady success comes despite its history of corruption scandals.
This week Rupert Murdoch's Star India beat rival bids from Facebook, Sony and India's Airtel to land the IPL's TV and digital rights over five years from 2018.
The deal, a four-fold increase after Sony paid $1.2 billion for broadcast rights over 10 years in 2008, puts the IPL on a similar level to football's English Premier League, a bellwether for global sports marketing.
The eight-week IPL's 60 games are now valued at roughly $8.5 million each, not far off the estimated $9.6 million per Premier League match -- and well over the $6.2 million price tag attached to home internationals in India.
Shukla said he wasn't surprised at the IPL's new earning power, which is tipped to have a wide-ranging impact on cricket, much as Kerry Packer's renegade World Series Cricket of the 1970s ushered in a new era for the sport.
"Every year IPL is growing in terms of reach, in terms of value and impact. In 10 years it has gone up manyfold and I hope in future also the enhancement will keep on happening," Shukla said.
"Since the value of property has seen signficant gains with each passing year so in future also it will keep on increasing," he added.
The IPL has spawned copycat leagues in Australia, Pakistan and elsewhere, and has already swelled the bank accounts of scores of players, making domestic T20 a lucrative alternative to the international game.
- 'Game-changer' -
India captain Virat Kohli was the best-paid player at this year's IPL, earning $2.26 million with Royal Challengers Bangalore, while the most expensive foreigner was England's Ben Stokes on $2.16 million.
Earning hundreds of thousands of dollars a week -- albeit for only two months -- is usually the preserve of footballers and NBA players, but IPL cricketers can expect a step-change in their wages next year.
"It's a game-changer, not only in Indian cricket but world cricket. The kind of money that's generated in India through cricket is enormous," former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin told AFP.
"You never know what's in store. If you compare it to EPL then an IPL player's worth can be even more in coming years. The bar is raised and I am all for players making money," he added.
Many critics are concerned the growing sums on offer will have a negative impact on international cricket, as players prioritise earning money over representing their countries.
But Delhi Daredevils spinner Shahbaz Nadeem, as yet uncapped by India, said international cricket remained the pinnacle for players.
"Money is no doubt a factor in IPL but the ultimate goal is to represent your country. Yes, IPL can act as a good launchpad for showcasing your talent," the 28-year-old said.
The IPL, which is broadcast around the world, is hugely popular for its mix of sport and showbiz, with a number of teams fronted by Bollywood stars.
It is the brainchild of Indian cricket administrator Lalit Modi, who is now in Britain and refusing to return to his home country to face corruption charges.
The IPL was also hit by a spot-fixing scandal in 2013 which led to the Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals being suspended for two seasons in 2015.
But the IPL has thrived regardless, and has inspired a range of other franchise-based leagues in India in sports as diverse as boxing, badminton, poker and kabaddi.
CARLOS ALCARAZ defeated Jannik Sinner in four sets on Sunday to win the US Open final, which was delayed by the arrival of President Donald Trump.
Alcaraz, 22, won 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to claim his second US Open title and sixth Grand Slam overall. The Spaniard avenged his loss to Sinner in the Wimbledon final in July, which was his only defeat in a major final.
"It's a great feeling. I'm working really hard just to lift this trophy. It's my second one but it's still a dream come true," said Alcaraz.
With the win, Alcaraz will return to world number one on Monday, ending Sinner’s 27-match winning streak at hard-court Grand Slams. He last held the top spot in September 2023.
"It was one of the first goals that I had, to recover the number one (ranking)," said Alcaraz, who had also beaten Sinner in the French Open final in June.
Alcaraz has now won seven of the last eight meetings with Sinner, leading their rivalry 10-5 overall.
"I tried my best today. I couldn't do more," said Sinner. "I felt like he was doing everything slightly better today. He raised his level when he had to... He played better than me today."
The two have won the past eight Grand Slams between them, four each, establishing their dominance over the rest of the field, including Novak Djokovic.
But while Sinner has gone 109-4 against other players on tour over the past two seasons, Alcaraz continues to hold the upper hand in their rivalry.
"It's going to be on me if I want to make changes or not," said Sinner. "That's what I have to do, trying to become a better tennis player."
Sinner’s defeat extends the longest streak in the Open era without a successful men’s title defence at a Grand Slam. No player has retained the US Open men’s title since Roger Federer won five in a row from 2004 to 2008.
The match was the third consecutive Grand Slam final between Alcaraz and Sinner and was further highlighted by Trump’s presence. The US President, who had also attended the Super Bowl in February and the FIFA Club World Cup final in July, appeared before the national anthem and was met with mixed reactions from the crowd.
Security arrangements for Trump’s attendance delayed the start of the match by 30 minutes, leaving Arthur Ashe Stadium only three-quarters full when play began.
Alcaraz broke Sinner in the opening game and took the first set 6-2. Sinner recovered in the second, going 3-1 up and levelling the match. But Alcaraz regained control in the third set with two breaks and carried the momentum into the fourth.
Although Sinner saved two break points early in the fourth set, Alcaraz broke in the fifth game and held on to close the match. The win made him only the fourth man to win multiple majors on hard courts, grass, and clay.
A number of celebrities attended the final, including Bruce Springsteen, Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Douglas, and Stephen Curry.
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With four wins, India are now the second-most successful team in the tournament, behind Korea’s five titles. (Photo: X/@narendramodi)
DILPREET SINGH scored twice as India defeated defending champions South Korea 4-1 to win the men’s Asia Cup hockey title on Sunday. The win also secured India’s place in next year’s FIH World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands.
This was India’s fourth Asia Cup title, after previous victories in 2003 (Kuala Lumpur), 2007 (Chennai) and 2017 (Dhaka). With four wins, India are now the second-most successful team in the tournament, behind Korea’s five titles.
The World Cup will be played from August 14 to 30, 2025.
For India, Dilpreet scored in the 28th and 45th minutes, Sukhjeet Singh struck in the opening minute, and Amit Rohidas converted a penalty corner in the 50th minute. Korea’s only goal came from Dain Son in the 51st minute.
India made a quick start, scoring inside the first 30 seconds when captain Harmanpreet Singh’s play from the left set up Sukhjeet, who finished with a reverse hit. Dilpreet came close in the eighth minute but his effort was saved by goalkeeper Jaehan Kim. Soon after, Jugraj Singh’s penalty stroke was also denied by Kim.
India doubled the lead just before half-time when Harmanpreet sent a long aerial ball to Sanjay, who passed it to Dilpreet inside the circle. Dilpreet converted to make it 2-0 at the break.
Korea earned back-to-back penalty corners in the 40th minute but failed to score. India added their third just before the end of the third quarter as Raj Kumar Pal set up Dilpreet, who deflected the ball in.
Rohidas made it 4-0 from a penalty corner in the 50th minute, before Korea pulled one back a minute later through Son. Korea had another chance in the 56th minute with their fourth penalty corner but could not break through.
Malaysia finish third
Malaysia, ranked 12th in the world, beat China 3-0 in the third-place playoff. Malaysia dominated the game, creating several chances against world No. 22 China.
Tournament top-scorer Akhimullah Anuar (36th, 50th minutes) netted twice, taking his tally to 12 goals. Norsyafiq Sumantri and Syed Cholan (58th) also scored. China’s only goal came from Jiesheng Gao in the 54th minute.
Japan take fifth place
Japan, ranked 18th, defeated Bangladesh 6-1 to finish fifth.
Ryosuke Shinohara (15th, 38th, 56th minutes) scored a hat-trick, while Koji Yamasaki (9th), Ken Nagayoshi (36th) and Seren Tanaka (50th) added one goal each. Amirul Islam scored Bangladesh’s lone goal in the 55th minute.
(With inputs from agencies)
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India's Hardik Pandya celebrates with teammates after he took a wicket during the ICC men's Twenty20 World Cup 2024 group match against Pakistan on June 9, 2024. (Photo: Getty Images)
India and Pakistan to meet for the first time since May’s conflict
Asia Cup begins Tuesday in the UAE as preparation for next year’s T20 World Cup
Harbhajan Singh opposes the fixture, citing tensions between the nations
India are defending champions and lead Pakistan 10-3 in T20 internationals
INDIA and Pakistan will meet for the first time in cricket since their military conflict in May when they face each other in the Asia Cup starting Tuesday.
The Twenty20 tournament, played in the United Arab Emirates, will also act as preparation for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka early next year. The competition opens in Abu Dhabi with Afghanistan against Hong Kong.
India and Pakistan are in the same group and will play in Dubai on September 14. They could meet as many as three times before the tournament ends on September 28.
Former Pakistan bowler Wasim Akram urged players and supporters to “remain disciplined and not cross the line” ahead of the contest.
The two countries have not played a bilateral series since 2012 and now meet only in tournaments at neutral venues.
Tensions remain high after the four-day conflict in May, the most intense since 1999, which left more than 70 people dead in missile, drone and artillery exchanges before a ceasefire was declared.
Relations were also strained when India’s team of retired players, led by Yuvraj Singh, pulled out of matches against Pakistan in the World Championship of Legends held in England earlier this year. Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh, part of that team, said he opposed the Asia Cup match.
“Blood and sweat cannot co-exist,” Harbhajan told The Times of India. “It cannot be the case that there’s fighting on the border, tensions between the two nations, and we go to play cricket. Until these big issues are resolved, cricket is a very small matter.”
India and Pakistan last played in Dubai in February during the 50-over Champions Trophy. India won by six wickets and went on to claim the title. India are also the defending Asia Cup champions.
Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India have a 10-3 record against Pakistan in T20 internationals. Pakistan will be without Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, who have been dropped from the format due to poor form.
India won the 2023 Asia Cup, played in the 50-over format, by beating Sri Lanka in Colombo.
The five full members of the Asian Cricket Council — India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan — qualified automatically for the tournament. They are joined by Hong Kong, Oman and the UAE, who progressed from the ACC Premier Cup.
Group A features India, Pakistan, UAE and Oman. Group B has Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka. The group stage will be followed by a Super Four round and the final in Dubai.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Rehaan Edavalath. (Photo by Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)
WORCESTERSHIRE batter Rehaan Edavalath has signed a new two-year contract, committing his future to New Road until the end of the 2027 season.
The 21-year-old, a product of the club’s academy, has steadily progressed through the county’s youth pathway to the senior side.
He made his first-class debut against Derbyshire in 2023, although that remains his only red-ball appearance so far. Edavalath has been more involved in white-ball cricket, featuring seven times in Worcestershire’s One-Day Cup campaign last summer.
While he has not played senior cricket this season, Edavalath has captained the second XI with distinction. He struck 110 not out against Leicestershire at Leicester and added half-centuries against Lancashire at Southport and Northamptonshire, showing consistent form across formats.
Speaking after signing his new deal, Edavalath said committing to Worcestershire was a proud moment in his career. “It’s always special playing for Worcestershire. I want to push on and keep developing, so to know I am here for the long term is incredibly special,” he said. “I want to keep learning, keep improving, and contribute to the team whenever I’m called upon.”
Head coach Alan Richardson praised both Edavalath’s performances and his leadership qualities. “Rehaan is a player we’ve been lucky enough to see progress through the ranks, who has excelled in the second XI in recent times and to captain them at such a young age is testament to his progress,” Richardson said.
“He’s shown a great deal of maturity and shown his skill in all formats, and we’re looking forward to seeing how he continues to develop. After such a bright start to his senior career and showing a lot of positive characteristics, there are some exciting times ahead of him.”
Edavalath’s commitment is seen as another positive step for Worcestershire, who continue to bring academy graduates into the senior squad. His new contract means he will remain at New Road for at least the next two seasons as he looks to build on his early promise.
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The pair of Yuki Bhambri and New Zealand's Michael Venus lost 7-6 (2) 6-7 (5) 4-6 to sixth seeds Neal Skupski and Joe Salisbury of UK. (Photo: Getty Images)
INDIA's Yuki Bhambri ended his campaign at the US Open men’s doubles with a semifinal finish, partnering Michael Venus. It was Bhambri’s best performance at a Grand Slam tournament.
The pair lost 7-6 (2) 6-7 (5) 4-6 to sixth seeds Neal Skupski and Joe Salisbury of Great Britain.
Bhambri, 33, became the fourth Indian man in the Open era to reach a Grand Slam doubles semifinal, following Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna.
The Indian-New Zealand team had a strong run at Flushing Meadows, defeating several higher-seeded pairs on their way to the last four. Their wins included fourth seeds Tim Putz and Kevin Krawietz of Germany, and 11th seeds Rajeev Ram and Nikola Mektic.
"This has been a special week for me. To be playing at this level and in the semifinal of a Slam is a big moment," Bhambri said after the match. His run comes during a good phase for Indian tennis, with Rohan Bopanna also producing consistent results on the doubles circuit.
For Bhambri, who has faced multiple injuries in his career, the result marks an important step in his progress in doubles.
The semifinal finish will give Bhambri a boost in rankings and confidence for the rest of the season.