April 16, 2025: England wicketkeeper-batter Sam Billings, who has featured in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with franchises like Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, and Delhi Capitals, stirred a bit of a storm during a recent press conference when asked to compare the Pakistan Super League (PSL) with the IPL.
Currently playing for Lahore Qalandars in the PSL, Billings was asked by a Pakistani journalist to draw comparisons between the two popular T20 leagues. However, the 33-year-old didn’t mince words and made his stance clear, calling the IPL the undisputed leader among T20 leagues globally.
“You want me to say something silly?” Billings joked before adding, “It’s hard to look past the IPL as the premier competition in the world. It’s very obvious. Every other competition is just behind.”
He went on to say that while leagues like the PSL, England’s T20 Blast and The Hundred, and Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) are all strong in their own right, they are essentially trying to emulate the IPL’s success and structure.
“In England, we are trying to do the same — like the PSL is doing — aiming to be the second-best competition in the world. The Big Bash is trying to do the same too,” Billings explained.
The English cricketer, known for his dynamic strokeplay and agility behind the stumps, has had a decent run in the ongoing PSL season. After a disappointing duck in the campaign opener, he bounced back with a quickfire, unbeaten 50 off just 19 balls against Quetta Gladiators, showcasing his T20 prowess.
Billings’ candid comparison is likely to spark discussions among cricket fans, especially in South Asia, where league rivalries are often as passionate as international matchups. However, his comments also reflect the widely accepted reality that the IPL, with its financial muscle, star power, and global audience, continues to set the benchmark for T20 franchise cricket around the world.