The T20 format is the shortest format of professional cricket in the world. It is played at an international level and also as global league competitions. While international competition sees each team representing a nation, the league competitions feature franchise teams made of players from different nationalities. This makes T20 leagues akin to the club concept of football.
Before a T20 league begins, players are chosen into a franchise side through a draft or an auction. Teams face each other in a round robin format before progressing to the knockout rounds. The knockout rounds can feature either two semifinals or playoff stages. The most popular T20 leagues are staged annually. In terms of the quality of players that feature in the event, the overall reputation of the tournament, and the commercial lucrativeness of each event, the most popular T20 leagues are the Indian Premier League, the Big Bash League, and the Caribbean Premier League.
Indian Premier League (IPL)
The Indian Premier League began in 2008. It is the most famous cricketing league that has featured the world’s leading cricketers in leading T20 franchise teams. The tournament is organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). As of 2025, the participating teams are the Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Gujarat Titans, Lucknow Super Giants, Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
A prize money of 20 crore INR is given to the champion side. Virat Kohli is the leading run-scorer of the tournament with over 8000 runs whereas Yuzvendra Chahal is the highest wicket-taker with over 200 scalps. Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians have won five titles each.
The women’s IPL league began in 2023. The participating teams are Gujarat Giants, UP Warriorz, Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore won the first two editions of the event. Natalie Sciver-Brunt and Hayley Mathews lead the runs and wicket count respectively. As of 2025, the champion side of the women’s IPL gets 6 crore INR.
Big Bash League (BBL)
The Big Bash League began in 2011 and is staged in Australia. Governed by Cricket Australia, the Big Bash League is noted for its high playing standards that make it appealing for the viewers. As of 2025, the participating teams of the event are Melbourne Stars, Melbourne Renegades, Sydney Thunder, Brisbane Heat, Hobart Hurricanes, Adelaide Strikers, Perth Scorchers, and Syndey Sixers. The champion of the tournament receives approximately 3.7 crores INR. Perth Scorchers is the most successful side with five titles to its name. Chris Lynn leads the count for most runs in the tournament with over 3900 runs. Sean Abbott is the leading wicket-taker with over 170 wickets.
The Women’s Big Bash League began in 2014. It featured the same franchise teams as that of the men’s Big Bash league. The most successful teams are Adelaide Strikers, Sydney Sixers, Sydney Thunders, and Brisbane Heat have won two titles each. Beth Mooney has scored the maximum runs with over 4600 runs to her name. Jess Jonassen leads the wicket tally with over 165 wickets.
Caribbean Premier League (CPL)
The Caribbean Premier League (CPL) began in 2013 and is one of the most sought after T20 tournaments in the world. A total of six teams participates in this event. These are Trinbago Knight Riders, Jamaica Tallawahs, Barbados Royals, St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, Guyana Amazon Warriors, and Saint Lucia Kings. The Trinbago Knight Riders have won a record four titles as of 2025. Johnson Charles is the leading run-scorer with over 3300 runs. Dwayne Bravo is the leading wicket-taker with nearly 130 wickets.
The women’s edition of the tournament began in 2022. Three teams, Barbados Royals, Guyana Amazon Warriors, and Trinbago Knight Riders participate in the event. The Barbados Royals have won two of three editions contested till date.
While other leagues like the SA20, ILT20, and PSL, exist, the above-mentioned team are arguably the most popular owing to their longevity and diversification in terms of having both men’s and women’s events.
