A new chapter has been written in the world of cricket. The World Championship of Legends (WCL 2025) has achieved an unprecedented feat in terms of viewership, establishing itself as the second most-watched cricket league in the world, after the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Sports News: A fresh testament to the growing global appeal of cricket has emerged in the form of the World Championship of Legends (WCL 2025). This league has recorded a historic achievement in viewership and has now become the second most-watched cricket league globally, positioning itself after the Indian Premier League (IPL). While the tournament was marked by considerable controversy and disruptions, the South Africa Champions ultimately clinched the title.
WCL's Explosive Popularity
While the IPL has long dominated the cricket landscape, the WCL has carved out its unique identity in a remarkably short period. This is the first time any new cricket league has garnered such massive viewership. WCL also broke records on digital platforms, with clips featuring its matches and players trending on social media.
The league's craze has rapidly spread, particularly among the youth. This veterans' league has surpassed the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in reach and has multiplied its fanbase manifold.
South Africa Champions Lift the Title
The final match of WCL 2025 was a thrilling affair, with the South Africa Champions delivering a stellar performance to secure the trophy. Throughout the tournament, numerous matches provided ample drama and excitement, keeping fans glued to their screens. The league's greatest strength was the participation of legends from world cricket. Big names such as Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Yusuf Pathan, Robin Uthappa, AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, Brett Lee, Dwayne Bravo, and Kieron Pollard played in the tournament.
Notably, AB de Villiers's centuries injected dynamism into the tournament, while Chris Gayle and Yuvraj Singh's sixes reminded fans of the good old days.
WCL Also Faced Controversies
Although the league succeeded in breaking viewership records, it was not immune to controversies. The Indian team refused to play against Pakistan following the Pahalgam terrorist attack. India declined to play matches against Pakistan in both the group stage and the semi-finals. Following this, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) accused the organizers of bias and threatened to keep its players away from the WCL in the future.
