The Indian Premier League (IPL) is more than simply a cricket spectacular; it’s a mashup of corporate savvy, celebrity appeal, and sporting fervor.
The team owners are responsible for the behind-the-scenes activities while the players take center stage on the field.
Owners of IPL teams are in charge of not just putting together a strong club but also cultivating a devoted fan base and advancing the league.
Huge financial commitment and a large heart are needed to own an IPL team. Owning an IPL team is a fantasy for regular cricket fans, one that is so lovely you actually cry and swear when you wake up.
However, there are several difficulties that an owner must face, which cricket fans like us are unaware of.
Owners must assign tasks to a trustworthy group overseeing a large team. Before selecting players in the annual auction, the owners work closely with the coaching staff and talent scouts. When it comes to betting on unproven athletes, the owner must entirely trust his advisory group.
This blog will focus on the numerous accomplished individuals who lead the IPL franchises.
1. Ambani’s Royal Dominance – Mumbai Indians:
Owned by Mukesh Ambani and his wife Nita Ambani through their business, Reliance Industries, the Mumbai Indians are the most successful team in IPL history. Mukesh Ambani is the richest person in India.
The organization has won numerous IPL championships under its shrewd direction, solidifying its dominance in the competition.
The Ambanis have long been recognized for their sponsorship of Indian sports and their admirable dedication to developing emerging talent.
2. Shah Rukh Khan’s Starry Knight- Kolkata Knight Riders:
Shah Rukh Khan, the “King Khan” of Bollywood, together with Juhi Chawla and her husband Jay Mehta co-own the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), an Indian cricket team.
Shah Rukh, who is well-known for his charm and passion for cricket, adds glamor and glamour to the IPL. KKR has had its ups and downs, but the owner’s unwavering enthusiasm and faith in the group have elevated KKR to the top of the league.
3. N. Srinivasan – Chennai Super Kings
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, one of India’s most successful cricket captains, is the ‘Thala’ of Chennai Super Kings (CSK). N. Srinivasan is the public face of India Cements, the company that owns CSK.
CSK is now a team to be taken seriously thanks to Dhoni’s brilliant cricketing and Srinivasan’s acute cricket comprehension.
The squad’s fan base stayed steadfast despite their two-year suspension from the league, demonstrating the enduring relationship between the team and its supporters.
4. United Spirits Limited’s Soaring Dreams – Royal Challengers Bangalore:
Following Vijay Mallya’s purported departure from the country with enormous unpaid debts, United Spirits assumed ownership of the Bangalore-based franchise.
United Spirits Limited (USL), of which Mallya had served as chairman and a non-executive director until his resignation, is the parent company of the RCB franchise.
The current board members of the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad are Sanjeev Churiwala and Vinod Rai, the top executives of Daigeo India.
5. Rajasthan Royals: A Story of Entrepreneurship and Royalty:
The Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, her husband Raj Kundra, and other investors founded the company Emerging Media, which formerly owned Rajasthan Royals (RR).
They became a powerful force when their victory in the first IPL season shocked the entire world. However, disagreements over ownership resulted in modifications to the organizational structure. The journey of RR illustrates how crucial honesty and openness are in the IPL.
6. Sunrisers Hyderabad – Southern Star by Kalanithi Maran:
The Chairman and Managing Director of the Sun TV Network, Kalanithi Maran, is the franchise owner of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
The team’s accomplishments under the SRH brand are noteworthy, showing that deliberate player selection and strategic investment can result in reliable performance.
Trevor Bayliss presently serves as the team’s head coach, and David Warner, another Australian, serves as the team’s captain. SRH has prospered unlike any other company thanks to their three marquee foreigners, Warner, Bairstow, and Williamson.
After their historic winning campaign, the club consistently outperformed its opponents, largely due to the skill of the aforementioned three and Rashid Khan.
7. The greatest minds- Delhi Capitals:
Two groups each possess a portion of the Delhi company, The GMR Group (Grandhi Mallikarjuna Rao) and the JSW Group (Jindal South West) share ownership of the Delhi Capitals evenly.
The chairman of the Delhi Capitals is Parth Jindal, director of JSW Sports. Parth oversees the auction process for the Delhi Capitals’ sister clubs in the Women’s Premier League and international T20 leagues in addition to the IPL.
Together with businesswoman Kiran Grandhi, who serves as the CEO and MD of the GMR Group, Parth oversees operations.
8. The Singh Kings Supremacy- Punjab Kings:
In the IPL, Punjab Kings has four owners. Mohit Burman (Dabur), Ness Wadia (Wadia Group), Preity Zinta (PZNZ Media), and Karan Paul (Apeejay Surrendra Group) are the co-owners of the Punjab-based company.
The Punjab Kings cricket team’s owner, KPH Dream Cricket Pvt. Ltd is 46% owned by Burman. Paul owns 8% of the business, while Preity and Wadia each have a 23% portion.
9. The nawabs of kebabs- Lucknow Super Giants:
2022 IPL Season was the team’s inaugural campaign. Sanjiv Goenka, an entrepreneur from India, is the owner of the Super Giants. Founder and chairman of the RPSG Group, a US$4.3 billion company.
The IPL team owners bring to the league a special fusion of passion, riches, and commercial savvy. Their commitment extends beyond monetary contributions; it also involves fostering a sporting culture, increasing fan engagement, and advancing cricket in India as a whole.
These owners are more than just financiers; they are the captains guiding the franchise cricket ships over harsh seas to win the fierce competition.
As IPL supporters, we thank these forward-thinking owners for their vital contributions to the thrilling IPL experience.
