MI-CSK and RCB-CSK are intense IPL rivalries driven by players, frequency, moments, and dominance.
Authors
Shaun Star, Professor, Jindal Global Law School, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India
Trusha Modi, Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa, Mumbai, India
Joe Cobbs, Haile/US Bank College of Business, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY, United States
B. David Tyler, Isenberg School of Management, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
Summary
The Indian Premier League (IPL), introduced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2008, has established itself as the world’s most popular cricket league and plays a significant role in advancing India’s dominance in world cricket. As with other global sport leagues, rivalry between teams has been a driver of fan attention, yet there has been scant academic inquiry toward understanding IPL rivalries. This study explores the characteristics of IPL rivalries through a survey of 844 fans. The study notes intense rivalries between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and CSK. The primary drivers of these rivalries are the notable players, followed by the frequency of play, defining moments, and relative dominance. The study’s findings provide policy implications for league administrators and commercial implications for franchises, media partners, and sponsors.
Published in: International Journal of Sport and Society
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