Most Valuable Teams in the Indian Premier League in 2023

Cricket is a religion in India. The masses love the sport, which has been possible due to India's constant production of the best of talents and some of the greatest names in world cricket. From Sachin Tendulkar, and Mahendra Singh Dhoni to Virat Kohli – the players have led this growth but the most powerful dominator to drive growth for the game has been possible because of the induction of the biggest cricketing festival on the planet, arguably – The IPL. The Indian Premier League frenzy is back with its 16th season. With back-to-back thrilling matches, the IPL is witnessing its valuations soaring over the years. With an annualized growth rate of 24%, IPL has overtaken the growth rate for NFL team values of 10% and 16% for NBA team values.

The recession-proof T20 league, with an overflowing rake in viewership and ad revenues higher than the previous editions, will most certainly take over the cricketing world.

Here's the list of Forbes' most valuable teams of IPL 2023 —

Mumbai Indians
Chennai Super Kings
Kolkata Knight Riders
Lucknow Super Giants
Delhi Capitals
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Rajasthan Royals
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Punjab Kings
Gujrat Titans

Mumbai Indians

The five-time champion Mumbai-based franchise comes first on the list. With a valuation of $1.3 billion or INR 9968 crore, the Ambani-owned company is sure to grow in the coming seasons.

When the BCCI established the IPL in 2007, Mumbai Indians was the most expensive team to be sold for $111.9 million to India's largest conglomerate, Reliance Industries, through its 100% subsidiary Indiawin Sports.

MI has won the IPL title for a record-breaking five times in a year— 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020, making it the most successful team in the league. Over the years, the franchise has featured players like— Lasith Malinga, Rohit Sharma, Harbhajan Singh, Jayasuriya, Surya Kumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Ishan Krisan, along with other players who had a crucial role in the team's success.

With master-blaster Sachin Tendulkar as the franchise's icon, the Rohit Sharma-led team is ready to reinvent itself with a new approach and strategy for IPL 2023. Currently sitting at 6th place this season, the franchise is confident with its players trained under former South Africa wicketkeeper-batter Mark Boucher the head coach— under veteran all-rounder Kieron Pollard for batting, former Auckland cricketer James Pamment for fielding and Shane Bond for bowling.

With an operating income of $5.5 million and revenue of $33 million, Mumbai Indians will grow in the coming seasons: providing a prime investment opportunity for potential investors.

Chennai Super Kings

In number two, we have the four-time champion— the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Owned by India Cements for $91 million, the team currently has an operating income of $14.8 million and a revenue of $41.2 million. With its consistent and massive fan base, CSK became India's first sports unicorn in February 2022, worth $1.02 billion or INR 8377 crore.

Winning the title four times in 2010, 2011, 2018, and 2021, CSK boasts the record of most appearances in the playoffs (eleven) and the Final (nine) and has the highest winning percentage of 58.98%. Several prominent players like— Matthew Hayden, Muttiah Muralitharan, Brendon McCullum, Suresh Raina, Mike Hussey, Dwayne Bravo, Faf du Plessis, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Albie Morkel, Murali Vijay, and MS Dhoni—have played their part in making the franchise successful.

Captained by MS Dhoni, the franchise under the head coach– former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming, former IPL Orange Cap winner Michael Hussey the batting coach, West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo the Bowling Coach and Rajiv Kumar, the Fielding Coach for IPL 2023. Currently ranking at number 3, with three wins and two losses, the Dhoni-led yellow army will remain a force to be reckoned with— both in terms of their performance and financial success.

Kolkata Knight Riders

Shah Rukh Khan's Kolkata Knight Riders follow CSK to rank third in the Forbes list. The two-time IPL champions— 2012 and 2014, have crossed the billion-dollar mark in valuation and have an operating income of $14.1 million and a revenue of $41.2 million.

Representing the city of joy, Kolkata, this franchise is owned by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's Red Chillies Entertainment in partnership with actress Juhi Chawla and her spouse Jay Mehta for a price of $75.09 million or INR 616 crores in 2007.

With the strong performance of prominent players like Shreyas Iyer, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and Shakib Al Hasan, the franchise was successful two times in winning the title. For the 2023 IPL, the team has been training under the guidance of head coach Chadrakant Pandit, former Indian fast bowler Bharat Arun as the bowling coach, and former Netherlands all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate as the fielding coach. Nitish Rana led the team mentored by David Hussey and is aiming for the top this season.

Lucknow Super Giants

The newly formed RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group-owned franchise stands at number four in Forbes' list of valuable IPL teams. In 2021, the Sanjiv Goenka-owned RPSG Group, which previously owned the Rising Pune Supergiant, won the rights to operate the Lucknow franchise at INR 7,090 crores.

Within a year of its formation, the KL Rahul-led team shot into the top half of the valuation rankings after they finished third in the previous season of the IPL, with players like KL Rahul, Quinton de Kock, Marcus Stoinis, Deepak Hooda, and Manan Vohra. Under the mentorship of Gautam Gambhir, former Zimbabwean cricketer Andy Flower as the head coach, South African fast bowler Morne Morkel as the bowling coach, and African legend Jonty Rhodes as the fielding coach, LSG is currently ranking second in the point table with four wins and two losses.

With a valuation of $1.075 billion or INR 8822 crores, the Lucknow SuperGiants are expected to emerge as a significant team in the league.

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Delhi Capitals

Initially named Delhi Daredevils, the Delhi-based franchise is co-owned by the GMR Group and the JSW Group and has a valuation of $1.035 billion or INR 8496 crores. Bolt, the Electric vehicles (EV) infrastructure provider, 2022 had signed up to become the principal sponsor for the franchise.

With prominent players like Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, and Ravichandran Ashwin, the Delhi Capitals have been amongst the most consistent teams in the IPL but have played the final match only once in 2020.

The David Warner-led franchise is yet to win its title.

Training under the former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, who is the head coach, former Delhi Capitals captain James Hopes is the fast bowling coach, and Biju George as fielding coach DC is buckled up for some action this season.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Named after a liquor brand, Royal Challenge, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) comes sixth in the valuation rankings despite its incredible popularity. During its inception in 2007, Vijay Mallya purchased the Bangalore franchise by paying $111.6 million— the then second-highest bid for a team. And after the 2016's Mallya scam, the ownership got transferred to United Spirits.

The franchise has an overall valuation of $1.025 billion or INR 8416 crores and produces an income of $36.4 million and a working pay of $9.7 million. Though the franchise ranks low in the valuation rankings, it boasts the most loyal fanbase.

With prominent players like Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Devdutt Padikkal, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Glenn Maxwell, the franchise had thrice finished runners-up, and the team holds the records of both the highest and the lowest totals in the IPL – 263/5 and 49 respectively.

Under the Indian all-rounder Sanjay Bangar as the head coach of RCB, former Indian all-rounder Sridharan Sriram as the batting and spin bowling coach, Adam Griffith as the bowling coach, and Malolan Rangarajan as not only the fielding coach but also their talent scout, the Faf du Plessis led team, who came third in the previous season is prepared to redeem themselves and lift their maiden Trophy.

Rajasthan Royals

In 2007, with a bid of $67 million, Emerging Media Ltd owned the least expensive team in the league. The Rajasthan Royals (RR) has a valuation of $1 billion or INR 8210 crores and has an operating income of $6.6 million and revenue of $31.7 million. Ahead of IPL 2022, the Rajasthan-based franchise signed with Dollar Industries as their principal sponsor for a multi-year partnership.

With prominent players like Shane Warren, Yusuf Pathan, Rahul Dravid, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Trent Boult, RR has maintained its gameplay and has once won the title– during the inaugural season.

The team is training under the legendary Sri Lankan player Kumar Sangakkara— RR's head coach, former Sri Lanka fast bowler Lasith Malinga as the team's fast bowling coach and the former Rajasthan Royals wicketkeeper Dishant Yagnik as the fielding coach. Captained by Sanju Samson for the third time, Royals is topping the points table and will be keen to progress with a second title in the cash-rich league.

Sunrisers Hyderabad

With a market worth of $970 million or INR 7964 crores, Sun Network Ltd owned this 2016 IPL champion with an operating income of $3.2 million and revenue of $31.8 million. The Hyderabad-based franchise was founded in 2012, replacing the Deccan Chargers, and won their maiden title in 2016.

Notable players like David Warner, Kane Williamson, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jonny Bairstow, Shikhar Dhawan, Pragyan Ojha, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have assisted the team with their consistent performances over the years.

Trained by the former South African bowler Dale Steyn for fast bowling, former Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan for spin bowling,

Former Indian player Hemang Badani for fielding and headed by the West Indies’ veteran batsman Brian Lara as the head coach, the team led by Aiden Markram is all set to claim the IPL title.

Punjab Kings

Previously known as Kings XII Punjab, the 2007-formed team has never won an IPL. Jointly owned by Mohit Burman, Ness Wadia, Preity Zinta, and Karan Paul, Punjab Kings has the lowest valuation amongst all IPL franchises— with $925 million or INR 7595 crores, they create an income of $31.2 million and have a working pay of $9.8 million.

Though prominent players like Shikhar Dhawan, Kagiso Rabada, Shahrukh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, and Jonny Bairstow have featured in the team, Punjab Kings is yet to make an impact in the IPL.

The Shikar Dhawan-led team will have Trevor Bayliss, the veteran Australian Coach as head coach with Charles Langeveldt, fast bowling coach and India’s highly decorated top-order batsman, Wasim Jaffer as the batting coach for the 2023 IPL season.

Gujrat Titans

Established in 2021, Gujarat Titans made history in 2022 when Hardik Pandya led Team to win the title in their first-ever season. Presently, in tenth place in the valuation rankings, the CVC Capital Partners-owned team has a value of $850 million or INR 6979 crores. With prominent players like Hardik Pandya, Rashid Khan, and Shubman Gill, the Gujarat-based franchise has begun its race in the IPL. Mentored by Gary Kirsten, who is also their batting coach, and headed by former India fast bowler Ashish Nehra as the head coach, Hardik Pandya led is all set to defend their title in the 16th edition of IPL.

Overall, the Indian Premier League is an amalgamation of India's diversity, passion for the sport, the commercial narrative that the game has laid on India's business ecosystem, and most importantly – an incredible showcase opportunity for entrepreneurs and startups as more startups get the exposure and the world as their stage, plus an incredible opportunity to network with some of the greatest names in business and cricket – the Indian ecosystem will be a winner, always. Not crocket, not startups – but the whole economy!

FAQs

Which is the most valuable team of IPL in 2023?

Mumbai Indians, owned by the Ambanis is the most valuable team of IPL in 2023.

Which is the lowest-valued team of IPL in 2023?

Gujarat Titans are the lowest-valued team of IPL in 2023, valued at $850 million or INR 6979 crores.

Who owns Royal Challengers Bangalore after the Mallya scam in 2016?

After the Mallya scam in 2016, the ownership of Royal Challengers Bangalore got transferred to United Spirits.

What are the 10 most valuable teams of IPL 2023?

Here's the list of Forbes' most valuable teams of IPL 2023 —

• Mumbai Indians
• Chennai Super Kings
• Kolkata Knight Riders
• Lucknow Super Giants
• Delhi Capitals
• Royal Challengers Bangalore
• Rajasthan Royals
• Sunrisers Hyderabad
• Punjab Kings
• Gujarat Titans