'IPL created the market' - Robin Uthappa gives fitting response to Pakistan journalist over IPL-PSL comparison

The 15th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will begin on March 26 with the defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) taking on last year finalists Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Mumbai.

IPL is the second major T20 league being played this year after the Pakistan Super League (PSL), which was concluded on February 27 with Lahore Qalandars lifting their maiden title. Ahead of the start of biggest cricketing league in the world, a Pakistan journalist tweeted about the franchise based leagues.

While the journalist admitted that there is “no comparison” between IPL and PSL, he emphasised that the latter grew pretty quickly in an era where other countries have been hosting their respective T20 leagues.

There was no competitor in the market when IPL was born: Journalist

‘No comparison between PSL and IPL! PSL started in 2016 while IPL inaugurated in 2008. However one has to admit PSL gained worldwide popularity more quicker in an era when other boards had introduced their leagues too whereas there was no competitor in the market when IPL was born, ” the journalist wrote on Twitter.

However, senior Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa, who will play for the Chennai Super Kings in the upcoming edition of IPL, came up with a perfect four-word reply. Uthappa wrote, “IPL created the market!!”

IPL created the market!!

— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) March 19, 2022

Uthappa was bagged by the Chennai Super Kings during IPL 2022 mega auction at a price of INR 2 crores. The right-handed batter played a key role for the CSK during the latter stages of the 2021 edition of the tournament, as MS Dhoni‘s side lifted its fourth title.

Talking about his numbers in IPL, Uthappa has played 193 matches in which he has scored 4722 runs at an average of 27.94 and strike rate of 130. The right-handed batter also has 25 fifties under his belt. Previously, he was an integral part of the Kolkata Knight Riders as he helped the franchise to get two IPL titles before he was purchased by CSK.