"Not the Best" – IPL Fails to Get Top Spot in Global Tournament Rankings as Player Welfare Concerns Mount

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been ranked third in the latest assessment of global T20 competitions by the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA), formerly FICA. The ranking raises questions about whether financial clout alone ensures a tournament’s overall quality.

England’s The Hundred topped the list with a score of 75.2 points, followed by South Africa’s SA20, which secured 68 points. The IPL scored 62.6 points, narrowly ahead of Australia’s Big Bash League at 62.5, while Pakistan’s Pakistan Super League (PSL) occupies fifth place with 48 points.

The WCA highlighted that while the IPL remains commercially dominant, it lags in areas related to player rights and welfare. According to the global players’ body, enhancements in player treatment and conditions are required for the league to solidify its position as the best T20 tournament worldwide. 

Other T20 competitions featured in the top ten include Major League Cricket in sixth, ILT20 (UAE) in seventh, Caribbean Premier League eighth, Abu Dhabi T10 ninth, and Bangladesh Premier League tenth.

The findings underscore the evolving landscape of franchise cricket, where player-centric practices are increasingly influencing league reputations alongside financial investment and viewership.