The Fair Play Award in IPL is given to the team that showcases the best sportsmanship and adheres to the spirit of cricket. This award recognizes teams that maintain fair play and follow the rules throughout the tournament.
In 2023, Delhi Capitals won the Fair Play Award for their outstanding behavior and conduct during the IPL season.
Understanding the Fair Play Award in IPL
The IPL introduced the Fair Play Award to highlight the importance of good sportsmanship. This award is presented to the team that follows the rules of the game and displays a positive attitude on the field. In each match, teams earn points based on their conduct, respect for their opponents, and how well they follow cricketing laws.
Since 2008, the IPL has revolutionized cricket by improving standards in batting, bowling, and fielding. Along with recognizing top performers, the league has emphasized fairness and integrity in every match. Teams earn points by showing respect to fellow players, opponents, and match officials.
In each IPL match, teams can earn a maximum of 10 points, which are given by both on-field umpires and the third umpire. Here’s how the points are distributed:
4 points for playing in the “spirit of the game”
6 points divided equally among:
Respect for the opposition
Following the rules of cricket
Respecting the umpires
Teams that receive 2 points in any category are considered to have performed well. Scores of 1 or 0 indicate an average or poor performance.
Determining the Winner
The Fair Play Award isn’t just based on the total points a team earns but also on their average rating per match. This means that a team’s total points are divided by the number of matches they played, ensuring fairness across the competition.
Cricket, known as the “gentleman’s game,” has a long history of nearly 120 years. Despite changes in the sport, the principles of fair play and respect for the laws of cricket remain essential. The IPL supports this by promoting goodwill and respectful behavior among players.
Even with the intense competition in IPL matches, players from different cultures and backgrounds come together to play responsibly. The Fair Play Award highlights the IPL’s efforts to encourage teams to maintain sportsmanship, even in high-pressure situations.
Teams with Multiple Fair Play Awards
Chennai Super Kings have set the benchmark, winning the award six times, while teams like Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai Indians, and Sunrisers Hyderabad have won it twice. However, some teams, like Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore, have yet to claim this award despite their success in other aspects of the game.
Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants, two of the newest IPL teams, are also yet to win the Fair Play Award. This honor recognizes teams for their on-field conduct, separate from their competitive achievements.
