The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a professional T20 cricket competition that was founded in 2008. The league operates using a round-robin and knockout system and features teams from major Indian cities. Created by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the IPL has become the most profitable and popular platform for cricket. Matches are typically held in the late afternoon or evening to take advantage of floodlights and increase global viewership.

 Initially, teams played each other both at home and away, but as the league expanded to ten clubs in 2011, the format changed to limit matches between certain teams to once. The top four teams participate in three play-off matches, with one losing team receiving a second chance to make it to the final, which helps to maximise potential television revenue. The play-off stage of the tournament features the four teams that finished at the top of the tables in a series of knockout games that allows one team that lost in the first round a second chance to advance to the final match. 

What Is IPL All About  

With the emergence of the IPL, the top cricket players of the world, who had hardly earned as much as their peers in other sports, became millionaires almost overnight. The league's auctions, organised by the franchises, which included major companies, Bollywood celebrities, and media tycoons, saw them bidding for the best players. At the league's inception, the Mumbai Indians, who were well-funded, had the highest payroll, which was more than $100 million. During the 2008 season's initial auction, the Chennai Super Kings had to spend $1.5 million to secure the services of Mahendra Dhoni  while the Kolkata Knight Riders had to pay $2.4 million to sign Gautam Gambhir, the Indian cricket team's opening batsman, during the 2011 season's bidding.

The Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Deccan Chargers (based in Hyderabad), Delhi Daredevils, Punjab XI Kings (Mohali), Kolkata Knight Riders, and Rajasthan Royals (Jaipur) were the eight founding franchises. In late 2010, the BCCI expelled Rajasthan and Punjab for violating the ownership policy. Still, they were later reinstated in time for the 2011 competition. 

The Rajasthan Royals, one of the smaller franchises captained by the legendary Australian bowler Shane Warne, won the first tournament in 2008, which lasted 44 days. Following the IPL's success, other cricketing nations rushed to form their domestic T20 leagues to get a piece of the pie. 

What Is The Format Of IPL 

The majority of the competition follows a straightforward format and  all eight teams face each other both at home and away, with two points granted for a victory, one point for a draw or an incomplete game, and zero points for a loss. Once this double round-robin stage concludes, the bottom four teams in the standings are ousted, and the top four teams move on to the playoffs.

The teams that finished in first and second place in the league standings will contest Qualifier 1 against each other. The victor of that match advances to the final, but the loser remains in contention.

The winner of Qualifier 2 then takes on the winner of Qualifier 1 in the final, where the tournament champion is crowned.  

The Darkside Of IPL 

In the late evening, if you look around your residential neighbourhood, you may spot young boys in groups with their smartphones in their hands, watching IPL matches. On the surface, they may appear to be enjoying the exciting matches between the IPL teams, but upon closer inspection, you realise that they are part of the problem called 'Betting.' The Indian Premier League (IPL) is undoubtedly one of the most famous and profitable cricket tournaments globally, with its high-energy matches, star-studded teams, and massive fan base capturing the attention of cricket enthusiasts worldwide. 

The IPL's immense popularity has made it a breeding ground for illegal betting activities. Bookmakers and underground gambling networks are enticing vulnerable and unemployed youth into the world of betting, with millions of dollars (INR to be precise) at stake. Many young individuals see betting as a tempting opportunity to escape their financial difficulties, desperate for quick and easy money. However, what begins as a seemingly innocuous act quickly spirals into an addiction that wreaks havoc on their lives.

Unemployed youth, who often face limited opportunities for stable employment, view betting as a means of earning quick money and improving their financial situation.The lure of making fast money blinds them to the consequences of their actions, leading to dire consequences.

Measuring the impact

The surge in betting among unemployed youth has had far-reaching social implications. 

Furthermore, the psychological impact on those caught in the web of betting addiction is significant. The stress and anxiety associated with mounting debts and the constant pursuit of the next big win can lead to deteriorating mental health. The pressure to recoup losses and the fear of facing the consequences of their actions 

Conclusion 

Although the IPL has won over the affections of countless cricket fans, it is imperative to recognize and address its negative aspects. The surge in gambling among jobless young people, along with associated social difficulties, mental anguish, and instances of self-harm, emphasises the pressing need for action. 

By increasing consciousness, enforcing more stringent regulations, furnishing assistance facilities, and establishing alternative prospects, we can strive for a more secure and conscientious IPL that upholds the genuine essence of the sport and protects the welfare of its supporters.