The global appeal of cricket is evidenced by the numerous T20 leagues played in various countries. Among these, the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Big Bash League (BBL) are two of the most renowned. Both leagues bring together some of the world’s top players to celebrate the grandeur of cricket. The popularity of these leagues extends far beyond India and Australia, drawing crowds from all corners of the globe.
In an effort to establish a trans-continental connection, we have compared BBL franchises to IPL teams that competed in the previous year’s competition. The two new IPL teams, Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans, were not included in this list as the BBL consists of only eight teams, necessitating the exclusion of two IPL teams. To accomplish this, only IPL teams that have played at least 100 matches were considered.
Number 1. Chennai Super Kings – Sydney Sixers
When it comes to T20 cricket, the Sydney Sixers and Chennai Super Kings are among the toughest teams in the league. Their high-spirited gameplay and ability to pose a threat to their opponents make them formidable competitors. In their respective leagues, CSK and Sixers are renowned for their iconic rivalries. The Sixers-Scorchers rivalry is just as grand and significant as the MI-CSK rivalry.
Chennai Super Kings are arguably the most consistent IPL franchise ever, with MS Dhoni leading the team to four titles and only finishing below fourth place twice. In 11 out of their 13 seasons, the Super Kings have made it to the knockouts, a remarkable achievement.
The Sixers team is one of the most successful teams in the history of the Big Bash, having appeared in six out of twelve final encounters and winning the inaugural title in BBL 01, as well as consecutively in BBL 09 and BBL 10. In the WBBL, the Sixers have played in five out of eight finals, winning the trophy twice in 2016-17 and 2017-18.
Number 2. Mumbai Indians – Perth Scorchers
Indian Premier League’s Mumbai Indians and Big Bash League’s Perth Scorchers are widely considered to be among the best T20 franchises in the world. Both teams enjoy immense fan popularity due to their consistent performances in their respective leagues.
The most significant similarity between MI and Scorchers is their remarkable trophy hauls, with both franchises having won five championships each in their respective T20 leagues. Scorchers recently equaled Mumbai’s tally by defeating Brisbane Heat to win their fifth BBL championship in 2022/23. MI’s five wins came in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020, while Scorchers won the BBL in 2013/14, 2014/15, 2016/17, 2021/22, and 2022/23.
Mumbai Indians and Perth Scorchers have participated in every edition of the Indian Premier League and the Big Bash League, respectively. Despite their current success, both teams suffered a defeat in their first-ever match, played on their home ground. MI lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL 2008 at the Wankhede Stadium, while Perth lost to Hobart Hurricanes in BBL 2011/12 at the WACA Ground.
Number 3. Kolkata Knight Riders – Brisbane Heat
Brisbane Heat and Kolkata Knight Riders are similar in nature as they are considered to be two of the most unpredictable franchises in their respective leagues. In addition, both teams have strong and dedicated fan bases, which are among the largest in the world.
Owned by Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla, KKR has won more than one IPL title and has been one of the most successful teams in the league. However, their success has been inconsistent, with their two titles in three years being the pinnacle of their achievements. The team’s first win in 2012 was a turning point for them as they had performed poorly in the first four seasons. The second win in 2014 was legendary, as they chased down 200 runs against Kings XI Punjab to secure their victory.
On the other hand, Brisbane Heat has won only one BBL title to date, which they achieved by defeating Perth Scorchers at the WACA during the second season of the league. They managed to reach the semifinals by finishing fourth in the table with four wins from eight games. In the semifinal, they overcame Melbourne Renegades by 15 runs to reach the final against Scorchers.
Number 4. Delhi Capitals – Melbourne Renegades
These teams were once considered to have a poor track record but have recently found their momentum and risen like a phoenix in their respective leagues. In 2019, Delhi Capitals moved up from the bottom of the rankings, a position they had held for several years, to reach the playoffs. Similarly, Renegades also made an impressive turnaround that same year, ultimately winning the cup.
Previously known as Daredevils, Delhi Capitals struggled to make it past the semifinals in the first two seasons and later in 2012 and 2019, where they lost in the playoffs. In 2020, they made it to the final for the first time but lost to Mumbai Indians. In 2021, they performed well in the league stage, finishing at the top of the table, but then lost both playoff matches and were eliminated from the competition.
Melbourne Renegades had a poor record for the first seven seasons, finishing in the bottom four-five times. However, they came of age in 2018-19 and lifted the trophy, marking their first and only BBL title win to date.
Number 5. Royal Challengers Bangalore – Melbourne Stars
Both Royal Challengers Bangalore and Melbourne Stars have had decent performances during the league stages, qualifying for the playoffs regularly, but have often failed to progress further. As a result, both teams have been dubbed as ‘chokers’, failing to capitalize on the immense talent within their squads.
Despite being a popular team, Royal Challengers Bangalore have been unable to add any trophies to their cabinet, having been runners-up three times. In 2008, the team’s focus on experienced players backfired, resulting in just four wins that year. However, they managed to turn things around in the next three seasons, finishing as runners-up twice.
Similarly, Melbourne Stars have also reached the finals three times but failed to secure the trophy each time. The team has been praised and criticized over the years, with notable players and successful seasons both at home and away. However, the franchise has failed to deliver in crucial moments, resulting in their lack of silverware.
Number 6. Sunrisers Hyderabad – Adelaide Strikers
Both Sunrisers Hyderabad and Adelaide Strikers have risen from underdog status to become top-performing teams in their respective leagues, showcasing a similar trajectory of improvement.
Sunrisers Hyderabad made their IPL debut in 2013 and reached their peak in 2016, winning the championship after a successful season of 11 wins, including a victory against RCB in the final.
Adelaide Strikers joined the BBL in 2011 and have since established themselves as a force to be reckoned with. The team has a notable record of winning six out of ten marquee New Year’s Eve clashes at the Adelaide Oval, where the atmosphere is always electric.
Number 7. Punjab Kings -Sydney Thunder
The similarity between Punjab Kings and Sydney Thunder lies in their strong batting lineup, which unfortunately hasn’t translated into consistent performances. Despite getting off to great starts, both teams have struggled to maintain their momentum throughout the season, ultimately falling short of the playoffs.
Punjab Kings, previously known as Kings XI Punjab, was purchased for ₹ 304 crores in 2008 by a consortium including Mohit Burman, Ness Wadia, Preity Zinta and Karan Paul. They began well in the first season, but have failed to establish a solid foundation for success.
Sydney Thunder did manage to win the BBL in 2015-16, defeating Melbourne Stars by 6 wickets in the final to claim their first title. However, they have struggled for consistency in subsequent seasons.
Number 8. Rajasthan Royals – Hobart Hurricanes
Rajasthan Royals and Hobart Hurricanes share a common trend of starting off well but losing their momentum and failing to make a comeback. Although Rajasthan Royals seems to be on a path to recovery.
Rajasthan Royals were the lowest-priced team when the IPL franchises were auctioned in 2008 but went on to win the inaugural season. Since then, they have had mixed performances, qualifying for the playoffs four times, but finishing sixth or below seven times. However, they made a strong comeback in the 2022 season, finishing as the runners-up.
Hobart Hurricanes have made it to the finals twice, in 2013-14 and 2017-18, but have finished in the bottom four on six occasions. They started their inaugural BBL season on a high, winning their first game against the Perth Scorchers at the WACA ground.
