The success story of the IPL is nothing short of a fairytale with its buzz, unprecedented hype and record-breaking contracts for BCCI and players.

Amid all the hyperbole, one man has stood out, Lalit Modi the creator of the league. The ICC Twenty20 Championship might have propelled him, the ICL might have ignited him, but it's his determination that has led to the success of the IPL.

The tournament has been a huge hit in all quarters, the cricket has been of the highest class with top-class finishes, sixes, fours, entertainment and jam-packed crowds.

'Who would have imagined Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya opening together?'


Everything is fantastic about the tournament with dream teams batting for the same side - who would have imagined Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya opening together? Australia never tested the tactical brilliance of Shane Warne but thanks to the IPL his brilliance as a captain and coach has been discovered.

The BCCI are set to make a profit of $100m, and SETMAX the official broadcaster and all the teams except Hydrabad Deccan Chargers and Bangalore Royal Challengers are laughing all the way to the bank.

The IPL is certainly a bigger hit than the World Cup held in the Caribbean in terms of television viewers and attendances.

The average attendance in the World Cup was 10,000, now look at these statistics for the IPL; Eden Gardens 73,000, Chennai 49,000, Punjab 36,000. Around 2.5 million people have been through the turnstiles and a billion have watched the matches on TV.

In short, the IPL will be able to challenge any tournament - be it English football, American basketball, football or hockey. 

And if it can cultivate the game to China then the sky really is the limit.