IPL: The Second Most Valuable Sports League and All Its Fine Equipment
The Indian Premier League is termed the second most valuable sports league in the world. Maintaining its elite standards, the best equipment is used in every aspect of the game, from cricket balls to stumps. Recently, Punjab Kings’ fast bowler Arshdeep Singh broke two stumps during a match, with their combined cost estimated at INR 50 lakh.

Cricket Balls Used in IPL and International Matches

Similar to international limited-overs cricket, the IPL uses white Kookaburra balls for all matches. These balls are a global standard for ODIs and T20s, ensuring consistency across formats.

However, red-ball cricket features a variation in manufacturers based on the playing nation:

SG balls are used in India.

Dukes balls are preferred in England and the West Indies.
Kookaburra takes a firm place in Test cricket in all other cricketing nations.
Price of Ball for IPL in India (2023)
Kookaburra white balls are available for about INR 12,399 in India and are sold on various e-commerce platforms. Weighing approximately 142 g, these balls are known for their hardness and durability. The strength of these balls ensures the ball retains its speed towards the boundary, thereby making these very suitable for white-ball cricket.

Background of the White Kookaburra Balls

In 1977, World Series Cricket (WSC) approached Kookaburra for the manufacture of balls that would be more visible under the floodlights. The company, with some experience in making hockey balls for the 1956 Olympics, conducted trials with yellow, orange, and white cricket balls. Following these trials, it was determined that the white balls were most visible at night, and so they were adopted.

White Kookaburra Balls in World Cup Cricket

The first five editions of the Cricket World Cup were played using the red ball. However, in 1992 major changes were introduced in the tournament flooded matches, colored costumes, and the white ball. That year was the year in which officially for the first time the white Kookaburra ball was used in the World Cup.

In the 1999 Cricket World Cup in England, the tournament had a brief stint with white balls from Dukes, which were known for having an exaggerated seam and producing real swing under helpful conditions. The white Kookaburra balls returned to the pitch in 2003 and remained the perennial standard in all formats of limited overs since then.