IPL Rewind 10 Years Of The Most Famous Cricket League

The IPL, though, has never been bereft of controversies. From its initial season itself, there were several off-field events that made headlines. But despite the deluge of controversies, the league has not lost steam...

- Bhavesh Bhimani

And so, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has entered its tenth season. When this glittering cricket extravaganza had commenced back in 2008, it had come in for some extreme reactions from the purists of the game. No one expected its brand of ‘extortionate cricketainment’ to last beyond a few years. However, the IPL has survived and how!

For close to ten years now, the BCCI initiated IPL has managed to establish itself as a prominent cricket championship and has a loyal fan base that eagerly waits for it every season. With its grand mix of the best cricketing superstars from around the globe playing alongside Indian local talents, the IPL continues to enthrall and excite cricket lovers everywhere.

The IPL, though, has never been bereft of controversies. From its initial season itself, there were several off-field events that made headlines in the tournament. But despite the deluge of controversies, muck and brickbats that has surrounded the league in almost every season, the IPL has not lost steam.

And today, as the tenth season of the IPL is underway amid great aplomb, it is a good time to look back at the tournament’s history; especially at the things that made headlines in each season.

SEASON ONE, 2008

The tournament in brief

The IPL could not have asked for a better start as Kolkata Knight Riders’ Brendon McCullum smashed a sensational 158 to take his side to victory in the very first game of the tournament. KKR lost steam after that and it was the underdogs Rajasthan Royals who scripted the most spectacular of wins under maverick captain Shane Warne. The legendary Australian leg-spinner led his team of underdogs and inspired the best out of them as Rajasthan Royals became the first winners of the IPL by beating Chennai Super Kings in a classic final.

What grabbed headlines off the field