Top Cricket Leagues in the World (2023)

Many of India's best cricket betting sites and cricket betting apps feature a veritable mix of the top cricket leagues – from immensely popular ones like the IPL to the long-established domestic leagues like the Ranji Trophy. In this article, we explore the seven top cricket leagues in the world in 2023 while also touching upon the domestic cricket leagues in India and the top leagues by revenue.

7 Best Cricket Leagues in the World (2022)

In this section, we cover the most popular cricket leagues, the best T20 leagues in the world, to be specific.

READ: World’s Top Cricket Tournaments

1. Indian Premier League

IPL 101

  • Established: 2008
  • Number of teams: 10
  • Current champions: Gujarat Titans (1 title)
  • Most championships: Mumbai Indians (5)
  • Maximum overseas player allowed per team: 4
  • Highest run scorer: Virat Kohli (6624)
  • Most wickets: Dwayne Bravo (183)
  • Website: https://www.iplt20.com/
IPL At A Glance
  • The Indian Premier League was founded by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2007, and the inaugural edition was held the following year.
  • It is usually held in India between March and May, though there have been quite a few aberrations in its schedule over the years, most recently due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • According to data released by the Broadcast Audience Research Council India (BARC), the 2022 edition attracted 229 million television viewers in the first week of the tournament alone, making it one of the most popular cricket leagues in the history of the sport.
  • In 2022, debutants Gujarat Titans held aloft their maiden IPL trophy after defeating Rajasthan Royals in the final by 7 wickets.
  • The IPL is among the top 3 richest cricket leagues in the world.

READ: IPL Betting Online

 

 

2. Big Bash League

BBL 101

  • Established: 2011
  • Number of teams: 8
  • Current champions: Perth Scorchers (4 titles)
  • Most championships: Perth Scorchers (4)
  • Maximum overseas player allowed per team: 3
  • Highest run scorer: Chris Lynn (3003)
  • Most wickets: Sean Abbott (125)
  • Website: https://www.cricket.com.au/big-bash
BBL At A Glance
  • The Big Bash League, also known as ‘BBL’ or simply ‘Big Bash’, is an Australian T20 league, and is right up there with the IPL as one of the top cricket leagues in the world.
  • It was established in 2011 by Cricket Australia.
  • The Big Bash League replaced its erstwhile competitor, the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash, and now has eight city-based franchises instead of the six state teams that participated previously.
  • The matches are usually played over the Australian summer – December, January, and February.
  • Perth Scorchers bore away with the championship in the 2021-22 Big Bash League.
  • The BBL is one of the top cricket leagues in the world in terms of revenue.

 

3. Caribbean Premier League

CPL 101

  • Established: 2013
  • Number of teams: 6
  • Current champions: St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots (1 title)
  • Most championships: Trinbago Knight Riders (4)
  • Maximum overseas player allowed per team: 5
  • Highest run scorer: Lendl Simmons (2629)
  • Most wickets: Dwayne Bravo (114)
  • Website: https://www.cplt20.com/
CPL At A Glance
  • The Caribbean Premier League, also known as CPL or CPLT20, is an annual T20 competition held in the Caribbean.
  • It was established in 2013, replacing the erstwhile Caribbean Twenty20 as the Caribbean’s main T20 competition.
  • Over the years, CPL has become one of the most popular cricket leagues and is right up there with some of the best T20 leagues in the world.
  • The Caribbean Premier League is currently sponsored by Hero MotoCorp and consequently officially named the Hero Caribbean Premier League.
  • Prior to the start of the tournament in 2021, two franchises were renamed. The Barbados Tridents became the Barbados Royals, and the St. Lucia Zouks became the Saint Lucia Kings.
  • The latest edition of the Caribbean Premier League is slated to start from August 2022.
  • The CPL is also one of the top cricket leagues in the world by revenue, up there with the IPL and the Big Bash.

Check out the best cricket live streaming sites to watch and bet on the Caribbean Premier League matches simultaneously.

4. Pakistan Super League

PSL 101

  • Established: 2016
  • Number of teams: 6
  • Current champions: Lahore Qalandars (1 title)
  • Most championships: Islamabad United (2)
  • Maximum overseas player allowed per team: 4
  • Highest run scorer: Babar Azam (2413)
  • Most wickets: Wahab Riaz (103)
  • Website: https://www.psl-t20.com/
PSL At A Glance
  • The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is a professional Twenty20 cricket league where six teams (representing as many Pakistani cities) participate.
  • The league was founded in September 2015, and it then had just five participating teams.
  • What makes PSL different from some of the other top cricket leagues in the world is the way it's run. Instead of operating as an association of independently owned teams like the other competitions, the PSL is a single entity wherein each franchise is owned and controlled by investors.
  • The Pakistan Super League is played in a double round-robin format, where every team plays the other twice, and the top four teams with the maximum points advance to the playoffs.
  • With a brand value of $240 million, the Pakistan Super League is one of the top cricket leagues in the world by revenue.

5. Vitality Blast

Vitality T20 Blast 101

  • Established: 2003
  • Number of teams: 18
  • Current champions: Kent Spitfires (2 titles)
  • Most championships: Leicestershire Foxes (3)
  • Maximum overseas player allowed per team: 2
  • Highest run scorer: Luke Wright (4868)
  • Most wickets: Danny Briggs (197)
  • Website: https://www.ecb.co.uk/t20-blast
Vitality Blast At A Glance
  • The T20 Blast, currently called the Vitality Blast for sponsorship purposes, was established in 2003.
  • It is undoubtedly one of the top cricket leagues in the world and the first-ever T20 league, having started five years before the IPL.
  • This is England & Wales' top-tier Twenty20 cricket competition, contested by as many as 18 teams (representing their counties).
  • The Vitality Blast is one of the world's top 5 richest cricket leagues (the others being the IPL, BBL, CPL, and the PSL). Its popularity has shot through the roof in recent years, with the teams now going for big-ticket T20 stars from around the world.

READ: Vitality T20 Blast Betting Guide (2022)

6. Abu Dhabi T10 League

T10 League 101

  • Established: 2017
  • Number of teams: 6
  • Current champions: Deccan Gladiators (1 title)
  • Most championships: Northern Warriors (2)
  • Maximum overseas player allowed per team: 11
  • Highest run scorer: Chris Lynn (371)
  • Most wickets: Wanindu Hasaranga (21)
  • Website: https://www.ttensports.com/
T10 League At A Glance
  • The Abu Dhabi T10 League, or simply 'T10 League', is a Ten10 cricket league held in the United Arab Emirates annually. Of course, the chief differentiator that makes the T10 league unique is that each game is just 10-overs per side.
  • This popular cricket league is approved by the Emirates Cricket Board, and the International Cricket Council (ICC) officially sanctioned it in 2018.
  • The matches are 10 overs a side, with each game lasting for approximately 90 minutes.
  • The T10 League follows a round-robin format, followed by the eliminators and the final.
  • The league has successfully completed four seasons, cementing its spot as one of the top cricket leagues in the world today within such a short span.
  • The champions are awarded a trophy and a prize money of USD 100,000.
  • It has been giving the world's best T20 leagues a run for their money as it continues to raise its stocks among punters from around the globe, thanks to the competitive cricket betting odds.

7. Bangladesh Premier League

BPL 101

  • Established: 2012
  • Number of teams: 6
  • Current champions: Comilla Victorians (3 titles)
  • Most championships: Comilla Victorians (2)
  • Maximum overseas player allowed per team: 3
  • Highest run scorer: Tamim Iqbal (2628)
  • Most wickets: Shakib Al Hasan (122)
BPL At A Glance
  • The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is Bangladesh's premier T20 cricket competition comprising six franchises.
  • It was formed in 2011 by the Bangladesh Cricket Board after the suspension of its predecessor, the National Cricket League Twenty20. The first season of the Bangladesh Premier League was held in February 2012, and all the matches were held across Dhaka and Chittagong.
  • The league began with eight teams, but two - Rajshahi Royals and Rangpur Rangers - were later declared defunct.
  • Currently, the Bangladesh Premier League, which many argue does make the cut as one of the top cricket leagues in the world, consists of six teams, namely Fortune Barishal, Comilla Victorians, Chattogram Challengers, Khulna Tigers, Sylhet Sunrisers, and Minister Dhaka.

Top Domestic Cricket Leagues in India

1. Ranji Trophy

Undoubtedly one of India's most popular cricket leagues, the Ranji Trophy is a first-class championship that dates to the 1930s. The first edition of the competition - named after Ranjitsinhji, the ruler of the erstwhile princely state of Nawanagar - was held in 1934-35.

The preeminent domestic cricket league in India, the Ranji Trophy currently comprises as many as 38 teams (mostly state teams and a few pan-Indian associations like the Railways and Services). It follows a round-robin-followed-by-a-knockout format.

Ranji Trophy 101

  • Started: 1934
  • Number of teams: 38
  • Current champions: Saurashtra Cricket Team (1st title)
  • Most successful team: Mumbai (formerly Bombay, 41 titles)
  • Highest run scorer: Wasim Jaffer (12,038)
  • Most wickets: Rajinder Goel (637)

2. Irani Cup

Upon completing 25 years of the Ranji Trophy, the BCCI inaugurated the Irani Cup (formerly Irani Trophy) in the name of the late Z.R. Irani in 1960. In this one-off match, the incumbent Ranji Trophy winners Irani Cup sees a match between the Ranji Trophy champions of the preceding year and the Rest of India. It is one of the oldest domestic cricket leagues in India, held shortly after the Ranji Trophy final.

For the traditional, starry-eyed enthusiasts, the Ranji Trophy and the Irani Cup remain two of the top cricket leagues in the world, unrivalled and untouched by the glitz and glamour of modern-day cricket.

Irani Cup 101

  • Started: 1960
  • Number of teams: 2
  • Current champions: Vidarbha (2nd title)
  • Most successful team: Rest of India (28 titles)
  • Highest run scorer: Wasim Jaffer (1294)
  • Most wickets: Padmakar Shivalkar (51)

3. Duleep Trophy

The Duleep Trophy is yet another of the many domestic cricket leagues in India. Named after Kumar Shri Duleepsinhji of Nawanagar (nephew of Ranjitsinhji), the first-class competition was initially contested by teams representing India's various geographical zones. However, since 2016–17, only teams chosen by BCCI selectors play in the Duleep trophy.

India Red, with their second title, are the current champions.

Duleep Trophy 101

  • Started: 1961
  • Number of teams: 3
  • Current champions: India Red (2nd title)
  • Most successful team: North Zone and West Zone (18 titles)
  • Highest run scorer: Wasim Jaffer (2545)
  • Most wickets: Narendra Hirwani (126)

4. Deodhar Trophy

The Deodhar Trophy (also spelled 'Devdhar') is a List A domestic cricket league in India named after the grand old man of Indian cricket, Dinkar Balwant Deodhar. It is a 50-over knockout competition now played annually by India's three national-level teams - India A, India B, and India C. The three teams battle it out in a round-robin format, with the top two sides progressing to the final.

India B are the current champions, having bested India C in the 2019-20 Deodhar Trophy.

Deodhar Trophy 101

  • Started: 1973
  • Number of teams: 3
  • Current champions: India B (2nd title)
  • Most successful team: North Zone (13 titles)
  • Highest run scorer: Baba Aparajith (2019-20)
  • Most wickets: Jalaj Saxena (2019-20)

5. Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy

The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is one of the few T20 domestic cricket leagues in India, contested by all 38 Ranji teams. Named after the famous Indian cricketer Syed Mushtaq Ali, the competition is definitely not one of the top cricket leagues in the world in terms of the revenue it generates; however, that doesn't take any sheen away from the massive popularity it has attained over the years.

The first edition was held in 2006-07, the latest was in 2021-22, and the next season of the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy will be held in 2022-23. Tamil Nadu is the current champion.

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 101

  • Started: 2006
  • Number of teams: 38
  • Current champions: Tamil Nadu (3rd title)
  • Most successful team: Tamil Nadu (3 titles)
  • Highest run scorer: Kedar Devdhar, Baroda (2215)
  • Most wickets: Piyush Chawla, Gujarat (85)

6. Vijay Hazare Trophy

The Vijay Hazare Trophy is a limited-overs List A competition and arguably one of the top cricket leagues in India. Named after the legendary batsman Vijay Hazare, the competition has lived through various changes in format since the first edition was played in 2002-03.

The latest edition was played in 2021-22, where Himachal Pradesh won their maiden Vijay Hazare trophy after defeating Tamil Nadu in the finals.

Vijay Hazare Trophy 101

  • Started: 2002
  • Number of teams: 38
  • Current champions: Himachal Pradesh (1st title)
  • Most successful team: Tamil Nadu (5 titles)
  • Highest run scorer: Ruturaj Gaikwad (2021-22)
  • Most wickets: Yash Thakur (2021-22)

Top 5 Richest Cricket Leagues in the World (2022)

Below is a list of the top cricket leagues in the world by revenue, along with where you can live stream these competitions.

READ: Best Sites For Cricket Livestreaming (2022)

1. Indian Premier League

  • The IPL, one of the best T20 leagues in the world, has a brand value of US $6.1 billion.
  • Star India holds the broadcasting rights for the IPL.
  • TATA is sponsoring the IPL for the next five seasons.

2. Vitality T20 Blast

  • The Vitality Blast has a brand value of US $450 million.
  • Sky Sports holds the streaming rights for the competition.
  • Health and life insurance company Vitality is on a four-year sponsorship deal for the T20 Blast.

3. Caribbean Premier League (CPL)

  • The CPL has a brand value of US $371 million.
  • Star India holds the broadcasting rights for what is one of the most popular cricket leagues around.
  • The CPL is currently sponsored by Indian automobile giant Hero MotoCorp.

4. Big Bash League

  • The Big Bash League has a brand value of AUD $300 million.
  • The Sony Sports Network (Sony Six and Sony Six HD) reserves the streaming rights for the next five years.
  • The BBL has been sponsored by KFC since its inception.

5. Pakistan Super League

  • PSL has a brand value of US $240 million.
  • Sony Six (and the Sony Liv app) has the broadcasting rights for what is one of the top cricket leagues in the world.
  • HBL will sponsor the league till 2025.

The 4 Cricket Formats

All the best cricket leagues in the world will follow one of these four formats:

FormatNumber of OversGame Duration
Test90 overs a dayUp to 5 days
ODI50 overs a side1 day
Twenty20 (T20)20 overs a side3.5 hours approx.
Ten10 (T10)10 overs a side 1.5 hours approx.

Top Cricket Leagues In The World FAQs

What are some of the best cricket leagues in the world?

The Indian Premier League (IPL), Vitality T20 Blast, Big Bash League (BBL), Caribbean Premier League (CPL), and the Pakistan Super League (PSL) are undoubtedly the five best T20 leagues in the world.

Which are the top 5 richest cricket leagues in the world?

The IPL, BBL, Vitality Blast, CPL, and PSL are the top cricket leagues in the world by revenue.

Which are the most popular cricket leagues in the world in terms of viewership?

While every league enjoys its share of loyal following, the IPL is probably the world’s most popular cricket league when it comes to viewership. According to data released by the BARC, IPL 2022 clocked 229 million television viewers within the tournament’s first week itself.

Where can I bet on the top cricket leagues in the world?

You can expect India’s leading cricket bookmakers to offer betting markets and competitive odds for some of the world’s best cricket leagues. That said, there will be some betting sites with a broader spread of markets than the others, of course. We recommend Betway, bet365, Pure Win, PariPesa, and 1xBet when it comes to betting on the top cricket leagues.

What’s a unique cricket bet I can place?

Frankly, there can be no one answer to that. That’s because the most popular cricket leagues will typically offer a raft of betting markets for you to choose from, depending on your skill level and the odds. That said, a word of advice from CBA would be that if you’re only starting out, stick to more straightforward markets like Match Winner. More intricate betting markets require thorough understanding of the game, and you should ideally take on those if you are an avid watcher of the sport.

How many domestic cricket leagues in India are there?

There are over 30 major cricket competitions in the country. However, if we had to single out the top six domestic cricket leagues in India, they’d be the Ranji Trophy, Irani Cup, Vijay Hazare Trophy, Duleep Trophy, Deodhar Trophy, and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

CricketBettingAdvice Final Say

In this article, we covered the most popular cricket leagues, including the seven best T20 leagues in the world and the top domestic cricket leagues in India.

The best bit about these top cricket leagues is that they provide a plethora of betting opportunities across diverse markets and competitive odds for you to take advantage of. And to do that, you also want to check out some of the more popular betting payment methods, so that depositing and withdrawing your winnings doesn’t become a hassle.

Bet responsibly!

Further Reading

  1. Top Cricket Tournaments in the World (2023) Cricket is a sports bettor's paradise. Numerous top cricket tournaments,...
  2. Vitality T20 Blast Betting Guide (2023) It’s time for another summer of Vitality T20 Blast betting!...
  3. Caribbean Premier League Betting: Odds, Tips & Predictions (2022) It’s time to load up your betting wallets and get...

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