Godfather of Cricket in IPL: The Indian Premier League (IPL) is not a tournament; it’s a platform where the game legends are made and passions get fueled evenly on and off the field. But whose name will still be legitimate for being addressed as the Godfather of cricket in the IPL remains uncertain. Let’s find out whose players, teams, and creators are more in line for this roll of honor on the basis of statistics, leadership, and roles in the culture of cricket.
Defining the Baap of IPL: The Spirit of Supremacy
IPL has evolved from an experiment to a world phenomenon in 17 years. The first season in 2008 had 200 million viewers, and it reached 550 million by 2025, according to BCCI. The league not only gave a platform to local talent but also lured international stars like AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle.
IPL today is no longer cricket but a form of cultural spectacle. Whether it’s social media memes or advertisement campaigns with players, the league today is akin to something that has become a part of Indian life. New sensations such as Abhishek Sharma just keep scaling new heights and enhancing the league further, with new additions among them being youngsters such as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill. Jaiswal, for example, recorded a strike rate of 157.82 in 2024, while Gill scored 426 runs for the season. Their freshness and adventurous spirit bring newness into the league, even after learning from veterans like Dhoni.
The term IPL baap in this case is not just a fancy name, but it is a term of domination. It can be a player who sets records, a team that shows that it is just plain brilliant year in and year out, or the one who leaves an imprint on history. Since the advent of IPL in the year 2008, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Lalit Modi have become names that have been talked about through legend. Yet which of them deserves the term? So let us see.
Read More
Virat Kohli: The Run Machine Beyond IPL
When batsmen are concerned, the name Virat Kohli is the first that pops up in mind when one thinks about excellence. His numbers in the IPL are staggering: by 2025, he’s scored 8,004 runs in 252 matches with eight centuries and 55 half-centuries with an incredible average of 61.75. In 2016, Kohli broke a record when he scored 973 runs in a season with four centuries, a record that still remains unbeaten. His belligerent style, pinpoint accuracy, and ability to overshadow on the field have announced him as the RCB captain.
His consistent top-class game earns him very stiff competition for the Godfather of Cricket in the IPL title. For cricket betting punters, backing him up happens to be like choosing a sure winning bet because he rarely disappoints. And his off-field leadership, from ad campaigns to his charity work, only adds to his legend.
MS Dhoni: The Captain Cool Who Constructed an Empire
When we say that Kohli is the king of the batsmen, we say that MS Dhoni is IPL baap as a finisher and captain. He is referred to as the Thala (a Tamil word meaning leader) by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fans, and they certainly have many reasons why they call him so. Dhoni has captained CSK to five IPLs (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023) and reached nine finals. His batting record is almost unbelievable: 5,243 runs in just 263 games with the particular knack of being able to finish matches in the death-defying final overs.
Read More
Dhoni is a tactician, and his mental cool in difficult situations is already a legend. CSK has become a team that has won due to its game savviness and ability to mentor upcoming players such as Ruturaj Gaikwad. He gets to bat when it matters, and, thus, if you are interested in making it a little spicy, you cannot go wrong betting on CSK in the side with Dhoni, a true baap of cricket, on the Leon Bet app.
Rohit Sharma: Mumbai Indians’ Captain
Mumbai Indians (MI) is the team that is being called the IPL baap due to its phenomenal success. Rohit Sharma won the five titles (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020) and made MI the team of dominance by being its captain.
What sets MI apart is that they helped combine aggressive batting with excellent bowling. Rohit Sharma, as a captain, is easy to adapt to all the conditions, be it a slow wicket in Chennai or a fast one in Mumbai. Part of the reasons why they have succeeded include the following:
- Impeccable scouting system: MI picks up talent such as Hardik Pandya early;
- Analytical approach: Numerical-based strategy and selection of players;
- Fan support: MI fans create an excellent crowd at Wankhede Stadium.
MI proactively uses analytics during match preparation. Their coaching staff, including analysts like Mahela Jayawardene, considers pitch information, the form of players at the moment, and the vulnerabilities of the opposition. That makes them favorites on the field as well as when betting, with MI odds always being the most reliable. It’s a kind of cricket betting strategy, and by the way, if you’d like to dive deeper into match analysis, check out WTC Final 2025: SA vs AUS History And Battle Analysis.
Lalit Modi: The Founder of the IPL
Newcomers such as Shane Warne, who made Rajasthan Royals win the first edition of the IPL, or some others, such as Anil Kumble, whose enchantment enchanted the hearts of a million people, should be rewarded. These role models brought in the generation of the IPL culture, where greater young talent in the image of Yashasvi Jaiswal has picked up the baton. The person who should officially be referred to as the father of the league is Lalit Modi, the founder of the IPL in 2008. Therefore, the best possible answer to the question “Who is the godfather of IPL?” is Lalit Modi.
FAQ
Why is Dhoni referred to as Thala?
It means leader (in Tamil) because of his CSK status.
Who is the greatest batsman in IPL?
Kohli, with his 8,004 runs, remains unmatched.
Who is the real baap of the IPL teams?
CSK and MI still share the glory, but consistency prevails in CSK.
ALSO READ: “Trying Again”: Saina Nehwal And Parupalli Kashyap Reunite Weeks After Announcing Separation
