The Indian Premier League (IPL) is widely regarded as the most celebrated cricketing event across the globe. Over the years, the cash-rich tournament has gone from strength to strength, creating new records of viewership, media rights and revenue.
The ongoing IPL 2023 season is the 16th edition of the league. The clash between Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royal marked the 1000th match of the IPL at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday (April 30).
To mark the occasion, the BCCI officials presented mementos to the two skippers – Rohit Sharma and Sanju Samson. Besides the captains, MI mentor Sachin Tendulkar and RR Director of Cricket and head coach Kumar Sangakkara were also honoured by the BCCI officials.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to a special evening, where there’ll be some special presentations and some special mementoes given to some special people. But before that, in 2008, the BCCI had a dream, a dream of creating a world-class T20 league that will get the best of the world under one roof. Thus was born the phenomenon. The trendsetter, the benchmark for teaching many leagues around the world. The Indian Premier League is now in its 16th year, the IPL has produced cricket of the highest quality, giving fans unbridled entertainment IPL is synonymous with edge-of-seat thrillers, record-breaking feats, individual and team brilliance true to its tagline - where talent meets opportunity. The IPL has unearthed some absolute gems, turning them into household names and even global superstars," Ravi Shastri said in a presentation ahead of the match.
“Today we celebrate a landmark. A landmark everyone involved with the league can be proud of as we’re all set to stage, the IPL 1000 game today is an ode to the people who have made this league what it is, then go to the players and the teams who match the name in the history books. And last but not least, our backstage heroes who have made this league, the best T20 league in the world," he added.
Sachin Tendulkar, who is also an icon at Mumbai Indians, also shared his thoughts on the monumental feat of BCCI.
"1000 game, wow! The time has flown by so quickly. A big congratulations to BCCI. It is a fabulous achievement. More so because the way the tournament has grown in stature over the years. I remember in 2008, the first season, I was part of it, now in a different capacity," Tendulkar said in an IPL video.
"It has always been a pleasure to be part of the tournament which is by far the biggest tournament in the world. It has given opportunities to so many cricketers in India and abroad. It is a tournament which has allowed youngsters to dream big, the aspiration is to come here and play IPL."
