The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the world’s most prestigious and expensive franchise T20 league. From prize money to player salaries, every aspect of the tournament is on a grand scale. Even the match accessories, including stumps, are among the most advanced and costly compared to any other T20 league.
Unlike traditional wooden stumps, the IPL uses high-tech stumps embedded with modern technology.
These stumps come with LED lights and smart sensors, enhancing the viewing experience and assisting in decision-making with real-time accuracy. Their cutting-edge design makes them an essential part of the league’s technological evolution.
This article explores the unique features, advanced technology, and high costs of IPL stumps, shedding light on why they stand apart from regular cricket stumps.
What Type of Stumps Are Used In The IPL?
The Indian Premier League (IPL) uses LED stumps, a modern innovation in cricket that enhances both gameplay and viewer experience. These stumps flash instantly whenever they are disturbed or when a bail is dislodged from its slot.
Each bail is equipped with a microprocessor that detects separation from the stumps, triggering the LED lights within one-thousandth of a second. This advanced technology helps umpires make accurate decisions in close run-out and stumping calls, reducing human errors.
Additionally, the illuminated stumps add a visual spectacle to the game, making it more engaging for both stadium audiences and TV viewers.
The Cost Of IPL Stumps
The stumps used in the Indian Premier League (IPL) are not just ordinary wooden poles but high-tech equipment embedded with LED lights and smart sensors.
Due to their advanced technology, these stumps come at a hefty price, ranging between ₹33 and 35 lakhs per set. The cost is justified by their precision, durability, and real-time response system, which enhances decision-making for umpires.
This makes IPL stumps one of the most expensive match accessories in the world of cricket.
Why Are LED Wickets So Expensive?
There are several factors that contribute to the price of stumps used in the IPL. Here is the list:
- These stumps come with advanced sensor technology. The microprocessors in the stumps can detect even the slightest dislodgement of the bails to ensure precise decision-making.
- They are made of durable composite materials that can take on the impact of fast deliveries.
- They are integrated with technologies like UltraEdge and Hawk-Eye for Decision Review System (DRS).
- The complex manufacturing process, regular maintenance, and replacements also add to the IPL stump price.
IPL Stumps – Invention And Technology
Bronte EcKermann, a former Australian grade cricketer and engineer, invented the LED stumps used in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2012. Along with his business partner, David Leggitwood, he founded Zing International, the company that developed these advanced stumps.
EcKermann got the idea for LED bails after being inspired by his daughter’s toy, which resembled a cricket bail and contained LED lights. Unlike traditional wooden stumps and bails, LED stumps are made from composite plastic and are embedded with LED lights, a stump camera, and a microphone.
The Zing bails, powered by hidden low-voltage batteries, contain microprocessors that detect when the bails are dislodged. Within 1/1000th of a second, they light up and send a radio signal to the stumps, triggering their illumination. This high-end technology makes LED stumps one of the most expensive accessories in modern cricket.
When Was An LED Stump First Used In IPL?
LED stumps and bails made their debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2016. They were first introduced in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) and later adopted by the International Cricket Council (ICC) during the 2014 ICC T20 World Cup in Bangladesh.
Since then, they have become an integral part of major cricket tournaments worldwide.
In the IPL, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) does not purchase individual LED stumps outright. Instead, it leases a complete wicket set—including bails, stumps, and the electronic base—from a contracted company for the entire season.
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Conclusion: IPL Stumps Are Expensive but Feature Advanced Technology!
The LED stumps used in the IPL are a perfect blend of innovation and technology, enhancing both the accuracy of umpiring decisions and the spectacle of the game.
Their high cost, ranging between ₹33-35 lakhs per set, is justified by their LED lighting, microprocessors, stump cameras, and radio signal transmission. These advanced features help in quick decision-making for close run-outs and stumpings while adding an exciting visual element for fans.
Despite their hefty price, LED stumps have revolutionized modern cricket, making the game more dynamic and technologically sophisticated across global T20 leagues.
