Building Winning Teams: Leadership Lessons from the IPL Playbook

Launched in 2008, the Indian Premier League (IPL), a brainchild of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is one of the most fascinating success stories in the world of sports. With exponential year-on-year growth, a brand value of over $10.9 billion, and a viewership of over 460 million, IPL is the most-watched cricket league in the world. In 2023, its per-match broadcast value of $13.4 million made it the second most valuable sports league in the world, just after the American National Football League (NFL).

In 1993, Sportsworld magazine journalist K. Vijay Kumar’s article titled “Cricket as a Religion” was one of the first references to how the thread of cricket binds the fabric of India. As clichéd as it sounds, cricket is almost like a religion in India, with the IPL taking this devotion to unimaginable heights. It is the opportunity to view some of the best cricket players from around the world in high-intensity matches, with nail-biting finishes, or last-minute turnarounds. It is also one of the most fervently-awaited, annual entertainment platforms, bringing with it the glitz and glamour of celebrity franchisee owners and high-value sponsorships.

Any such success story naturally becomes the seedbed for a host of corporate strategies and leadership lessons. In fact, I often find myself poring over a particular team composition, a certain match dynamic, or a specific decision the captain made on the field, and I tend to take lessons from such moments to enhance my professional skills or business strategies. Interestingly, the IPL has made it to the business case studies of several reputed educational institutions across the world, including Stanford and Harvard Business School. Whether it is the business model, franchisee management, marketing strategies, or impact on the Indian economy, these case studies have generated detailed insights into every aspect of the league.

When I think about the last decade, there are many vivid memories of the turning points that led to successful outcomes for certain teams or franchises. For instance:

o??The first IPL final in 2008 - a low-scoring match, where the underdogs, Rajasthan Royals beat the more established Chennai Super Kings with smart team selection and effective utilization of skills and limited resources on the field.

o??IPL season 2011 – Mumbai Indians made an early decision to retain Rohit Sharma despite his relatively poor performance in the previous season. They built a strong core group of players who were integral to the team’s success in earlier years, which was a reminder of the importance of long-term planning and the value of investing in talented players who can provide stability and consistency.

o??IPL 2019 final – when Mumbai Indians won their fourth IPL title, it was a lesson in the use of technology and data analytics for decision-making. They invested in a detailed analysis of player performances and match conditions and made crucial tactical decisions that changed the course of the game.

o??IPL 2021 – Virat Kohli, the captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore stepped down mid-season to focus on his own batting form, setting an example in humility, self-awareness, and putting the teams’ interests above self. A similar decision was made by Dinesh Karthik, the captain of Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2020.

These are just a handful of examples or a drop in the ocean of leadership lessons that one can draw on from the different teams within the IPL. From innovation, strategic thinking, and adaptability and agility, to teamwork, talent development, and critical decision-making, the league exemplifies numerous competencies that are a prerequisite to building and managing high-performing teams in a dynamic environment. It teaches leaders how to operate and communicate with grace and humility and remain resilient in the face of unforeseen or unpredictable challenges.

Studying how IPL owners and managers nurture and navigate complex relationships between sponsors, coaches, players, and fans is also another area that can benefit corporate leaders in managing diverse stakeholders. Whether it is about creating a strong organizational culture and ethos, maintaining ethical practices, selecting and retaining talent, using technology to design winning strategies or driving a supportive, high-performance environment where your best people thrive, we can lean into the world of IPL for all types of leadership goals and challenges.