close

IPL falls behind rivals in global T20 league ranking

England's The Hundred leads rankings with 75.2 points, followed by South Africa’s SA20

March 19, 2026
Royal Challengers Bengalurus Rajat Patidar lifts the trophy as he celebrates with teammates after winning the Indian Premier League, June 4, 2025. — Reuters
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Rajat Patidar lifts the trophy as he celebrates with teammates after winning the Indian Premier League, June 4, 2025. — Reuters

The Indian Premier League (IPL) was placed behind other competitions in the newest global T20 rankings despite its status as cricket's most commercially dominant and glamorous league.

The IPL, widely regarded as the most lucrative and high-profile cricket league, ranked third in the latest World Cricketers' Association (WCA) assessment, formerly Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA).

The findings suggested that the tournament requires major improvements to secure its place as the top global competition.

According to the global players' body, the IPL must enhance its approach to player rights and overall welfare.

The league's ranking reflects concerns that, while commercially dominant, it lags behind its rivals in areas concerning player treatment and conditions.

Leading the standings is England's newest franchise competition, The Hundred, which secured the top position with a ranking score of 75.2 points.

It is closely followed by South Africa's SA20, which earned 68 points to take second place.

The IPL received 62.6 points, placing it narrowly ahead of Australia's Big Bash League, which sits fourth with 62.5 points. Pakistan’s PSL follows in fifth with 48 points.

The remaining places in the top ten feature a range of global tournaments. Major League Cricket occupies sixth, while the ILT20 in the UAE is seventh.