In a recent press conference, English cricketer Sam Billings — currently representing Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) — stirred the pot by openly declaring the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the superior T20 competition in the world. The comment came in response to a pointed question from a Pakistani journalist who asked him to compare the IPL with the PSL.
Billings, with a smirk, said, “You want me to say something silly?” before adding, “It is difficult to ignore IPL as the best competition in the world — it is very clear, every other competition is behind it.” He further explained that leagues like England’s Hundred, Australia’s Big Bash League, and even the PSL are striving to be the next best. “In England, we’re trying to do the same. Big Bash is also trying. But IPL is the benchmark.”
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Billings’ statement has reignited the long-standing debate about the pecking order of global T20 leagues. While the PSL has made commendable progress since its inception in 2015 — becoming a key platform for grooming Pakistani talent and providing top-tier cricket — it still trails the IPL when it comes to global reach, star power, and commercial success.
Sam Billings speaks openly about PSL vs IPL comparisons and highlights the quality of Pakistani talent#TOKReports #sambillings #PSLX #ipl pic.twitter.com/I8fxeyhTLI
— Times of Karachi (@TOKCityOfLights) April 15, 2025
A similar moment unfolded recently when Karachi Kings captain David Warner was asked whether he faced backlash from Indian fans for playing in the PSL after going unsold in the IPL auction. Warner, however, brushed off the claim, stating it was the first time he had heard of such criticism. “I’m here to play cricket. My schedule didn’t allow PSL participation earlier, but now I’m here to captain Karachi and hopefully win the title,” he said.
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Despite its quality and competitiveness, the PSL continues to be seen as a strong, but still secondary, T20 league. The IPL, founded in 2008 by the BCCI, has transformed cricket into a billion-dollar enterprise, blending Bollywood glamour, international superstars, and cricketing excellence. With 10 franchises, extensive global broadcasting rights, and unmatched fan engagement, the IPL has become the gold standard.
For cricketers like Billings, who’ve played in both leagues, the scale and professionalism of the IPL make it a clear favourite. His recent remarks only reaffirm what many in the cricketing world already believe — the IPL remains the crown jewel of franchise T20 cricket.
