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www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 22 SPORTS April 17, 2026 From Cricket League To Economic Giant: IPL Valued At USD 18 Billion: Kotak MF Cricket-Sooryavanshi’s Hot Streak Continues In IPL As Rajasthan Down RCB T he Indian Premier League (IPL) has evolved into a multi-billion- dollar economic engine, con- tributing significantly to India’s economy and redefining the business of sport, according to a recent report by Kotak Mutual Fund. The report noted that the IPL ecosys- tem is currently valued at around USD 18 billion as of FY25, placing it among the world’s leading sporting leagues. Remark- ably, a tournament spanning just two months now generates economic value comparable to India’s entire sports indus- try, estimated at about USD 19 billion. According to the report, the league contributes between USD 182 million and USD 6.7 billion annually to the In- dian economy through its wide-ranging ecosystem, including media, advertising, sponsorships, and ancillary sectors. A key driver of IPL’s financial growth has been its media rights, which have surged from USD 918 million in 2008 to USD 6.2 billion for the 2023-2027 cycle, reflecting a strong compounded annual growth rate and outpacing several global leagues. The report highlighted that the IPL now reaches nearly one billion viewers across television and digital platforms, with digi- tal consumption witnessing rapid growth. Advertising revenues alone are projected to reach around USD 600 million in 2025, indicating robust monetisation of viewer- ship. Kotak further noted that IPL franchises operate on a unique financial model, deriving over 70 per cent of their revenues from centrally shared media rights and sponsorship pools. This ensures predict- able cash flows, making teams resemble “infrastructure-like assets” rather than traditional sports clubs. Beyond broadcasting, the league has di- versified its revenue streams. Advertising revenues have grown exponentially since inception, while title sponsorship values and franchise-level sponsorships have also seen substantial increases, reflecting strong corporate interest in the platform. The report also underscored the IPL’s resilience, noting that despite temporary setbacks such as the pandemic-induced decline in valuations, the league has re- bounded strongly, crossing USD 10 billion in value in recent years. IPL is no longer just a cricket tourna- ment but a “technology-led media ecosys- tem” and a major economic contributor with significant spillover effects across sectors, noted the report. -ANI T een sensation Vaibhav Soory- avanshi continued his stunning form in the Indian Premier League by smashing a 15-ball fifty to power Rajasthan Royals to a six- wicket win over defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Friday. Chasing 202, the 15-year-old tore into the RCB attack with 78 off 26 balls, including eight fours and seven sixes, as Rajasthan reached the target with two overs to spare. Sooryavanshi, who lit up his debut season with a 35-ball hundred last year, is just 11 matches into his IPL career and has already surged to the top of this season’s run charts with 200 runs in four innings at a strike rate of 266.6. He registered his second 15-ball fifty of the campaign, having achieved the feat against Chennai Super Kings previ- ously. “We just cannot believe how some- one can hit like that. He is a great talent and we feel good that he is in our team,” said wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel. After dominating India spearhead Jasprit Bumrah earlier in the week, Sooryavanshi passed another stern test against Josh Hazlewood, thrashing the returning Australia quick for three fours and a six in the first fours balls he faced. Sooryavanshi and Jurel set the tone with a rapid start, racing to 97-1 in the powerplay before spinner Krunal Pan- dya stalled the momentum. Rajasthan slipped from 129-1 to 134- 4 when Pandya dismissed Sooryavanshi, but Jurel anchored the chase with a composed unbeaten 81 from 43 balls. “When you go in, and Vaibhav is smashing every ball, you tend to think nothing is happening on the wicket. Cricket is not as easy as he’s playing,” Jurel added. The 108-run stand between Jurel and Sooryavanshi proved decisive, keeping Rajasthan unbeaten at the top of the table while RCB remain third. -Reuters Cricket-Women’s T20 World Cup To Have $8.8 Million Prize Pool T his year’sWomen’s Twenty20World Cup will have a tournament-record prize pool of $8.8 million with the winners set to earn $2.3 million, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Monday. The 12-team competition will be held in Eng- land andWales from June 12, with New Zealand set to defend the maiden title they won in 2024. “The runners-up will receive $1.17 million. Both losing semi-finalists will earn $675,000 each,” the ICC said in a statement, adding that every participating team was guaranteed a mini- mum prize of $248,000. The prize pool will be smaller than those at the men’s and women’sWorld Cups held in the Indian subcontinent in the last three years. Last year’s 50-overWomen’sWorld Cup in India and Sri Lanka had a prize pool of $13.9 million, the highest pot at an ICC event, and a 297% increase from its previous edition in 2022. Champions India took home $4.5 million. The 2023 edition of the men’s 50-overWorld Cup, held in India, had a prize pot of $10 million, while this year’s men’s T20World Cup in India and Sri Lanka offered $11.25 million in prize money. “The continued rise of women’s cricket through increased investment and opportunity reflects the growing influence and impact of fe- male athletes on the global stage,” the ICC’s CEO Sanjog Gupta said. -Reuters PHOTO:REUTERS/FRANCIS MASCARENHAS Cricket – ICC Women’s World Cup – Final – India v South Africa – DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, India – November 2, 2025 India players celebrate with the trophy after winning the ICC Women’s World Cup. PHOTO:ANI PHOTO:REUTERS/SAHIBA CHAWDHARY IPL trophy. Cricket – Indian Premier League – IPL – Rajasthan Royals v Royal Challengers Bengaluru – Assam Cricket Association Stadium, Guwahati, India – April 10, 2026 Rajasthan Royals’ Vaibhav Suryavanshi plays a shot to reach his half century.