The IPL speaks of a pretty interesting origin. The Indian Premier was actually the vision of Lalit Modi, BCCI Vice President who wished to create something really novel in world cricket history. In 2007 Modi had the historical discussion with Mr. Andrew Wildblood (the bigwig of sports management from International Management Group) where he decided to create something in cricket in the tune of European club football, especially EPL (English Premier League). It’s also added that IPL was launched as an answer to ICL (Indian Cricket League) that was launched by the Zee Group. Modi’s vision was readily approved by BCCI shortly in 2007 given the high business prospects involved with the League- the very format of IPL was much appreciated owing to its stupendous ensemble of sports and entertainment together.
DLF, the esteemed real estate group of the country came forward to stand as the title sponsor of the League. It was decided that the League will follow the T20 format of cricket and the players (fromIndiaand abroad) would be acquired by auction. The first bidding of IPL owners started in 2008 which was attended by almost every “Who’s who” inIndiafrom every sector of the society starting from entertainment to corporate. Bollywood biggies like Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta, Juhi Chawla and Shilpa Shetty were some of the mavericks who participated in the IPL since its inception. The most expensive player in the first IPL was M.S. Dhoni (1.5 m USD) who was followed by Andrew Symonds and Ishant Sharma. The first match of IPL started in 2008 April.