How a galaxy of international superstars left a lasting imprint on the IPL

In 18 years, the IPL has grown in size and heft, with the 10-franchise league being a major summer spectacle that chugs along uninterrupted by events like the Lok Sabha elections or the pandemic

When Lalit Modi was setting up the Indian Premier League (IPL) jamboree in 2008, Shane Warne was a washed-up cricketer done with bamboozling hapless batters. A startup T20 venture in India didn’t excite him. A phone call, however, reignited Warne’s waning competitive spirit. 

For the inaugural season, Rajasthan Royals (RR) had hired Ravi Krishnan, a former executive of sports and culture company IMG, as vice-president. Krishnan, who had played grade cricket with Warne at St Kilda, a seaside suburb in Melbourne, recommended the champion Australian spinner as the franchise’s captain. He called up Warne and said: “This is your chance