| BCCI vice-president Lalit Modi was the brain behind the Indian Premier League. Just after the twenty 20 format became popular Modi laid the idea before the BCCI. However, the idea had initially risen only to offer competition to the Indian Cricket league, a twenty 20 private league commissioned by formed selector Kiran More. The first edition of the multi-million league was played in 2008, the first match being played on April 18. The inaugural edition was won by Shane Warne-led Rajasthan Royals. A team sans big names and stars defeated Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings in the final on June 1. The first edition lasted 46 days, with 59 matches being played in India.
However, general elections 2009 in India forced IPL commissioner Lalit Modi and the BCCI to shift th tournament out of India. Hence, the current edition was awarded to South Africa. The tournament has seen a lots of ups and downs. A new strategy has been introduced in the second edition of the IPL. It is known as strategy time-out whereby a 7-and-a-half minute break is taken at mid innings after 10 overs. However, the break is being viewed as a commercial stunt to pack in as many advertisements as possible. The next edition will be played in India.
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