Cricket has seen a dramatic transformation over the past two decades, particularly with the explosive growth of T20 franchise leagues. From the Big Bash League in Australia to the Caribbean Premier League in the West Indies, players from across the world are now part of a global circuit of short-format cricket. This rise has sparked changes in how players approach the game and how boards respond, with whispers of a potential Champions League T20 revival also circulating. At the centre of this shift is the increasing power of players and the growing appeal of focusing on T20 cricket exclusively. The revolution truly began in 2008 with the introduction of the Indian Premier League (IPL) — a bold, entertainment — driven competition that redefined cricket. Prior to the IPL, domestic T20 cricket was an add-on for teams that also played longer formats. The IPL, however, was the first professional league built entirely around T20, where contracts were awarded based solely on suitability to the format.It’s very first match on April 17, 2008, between Shah Rukh Khan’s Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Vijay Mallya’s Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), set the tone. New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum’s blistering 158* stunned audiences and marked the beginning of a new era. The atmosphere was electric, and Indian fans were introduced to a format where global stars competed not based on nationality but pure talent and entertainment value. The six-week tournament was a resounding success.