Do you know who is the father of IPL or Baap of IPL? The real answer may surprise you!
If you are a fan of cricket, you are a fan of IPL too (I can bet on this).
But have you ever thought – Who is the supreme in IPL or God of IPL? Yeah, everyone has their own favorite but it doesn’t mean they will be God.
In this article I will reveal IPL ka baap kaun hai with justifying proof. So, read this article to the end; it will be fun and informative as well.
What does Baap of IPL Mean?
Baap of IPL or Father of IPL refers to the player who performed consistently and showed unwavering commitment throughout the seasons. It is not just about winning matches or lifting trophies. It is about being the backbone of a team, guiding young players, handling pressure with calm, and creating moments that fans will never forget.
IPL ka baap is not just about playing for himself to create records but puts his team first and plays for his fans.
IPL ka Baap Kaun Hai? Who is the Father of IPL in 2026?
The Baap of IPL is MS Dhoni, popularly known as Thala, who led his “Yellow Army”. In his IPL career so far, Dhoni has led CSK in 278 matches since its inception in 2008. He is known as the backbone of the Chennai Super Kings and the IPL overall.
He has an amazing track record in the Indian Premier League, having won five IPL titles while CSK became the only team to be in the final 10 times.
MS Dhoni is the only baap of IPL since the tournament started. However, Virat Kohli is referred to as the batting bap of the Indian Premier League.
There are numerous reasons why MS Dhoni is Bap of IPL or Baap of CSK. The biggest reason is Dhoni’s leadership and winning 5 titles for CSK. He is also credited with creating an IPL team of national interest with a huge following. There are so many reasons fans call Dhoni IPL ka baap.
The following are the most justifying reasons why Dhoni is called the father of IPL:
Honestly, no one has captained in the IPL as much as Dhoni – He has literally led CSK in 200+ matches.
And come on… taking CSK to 10 finals? Most teams struggle to reach even two or three.
Five IPL trophies under his belt – Now, winning with Dhoni just feels normal. I am waiting for IPL 2026 and Yes, Dhoni will be part of it.
CSK in the playoffs almost every season – This steady performance is a huge reason fans call MS Dhoni the “father” of IPL.
Dhoni is one of the best finishers the IPL has ever seen – 2300+ while chasing in the last overs!
He has been the face of CSK since 2008. Same team, same vibe — fans love that loyalty.
And the fanbase… bro, even away games look like Chennai is playing at home – No one else gets that kind of love.
THE YELLOW ARMY IS EVERYWHERE WHEN DHONI IS PLAYING. THE STADIUM TURNS YELLOW IRRESPECTIVE OF MATCH LOCATION – THIS IS WHY DHONI IS CALLED THE BAAP OF IPL AND CSK.
Dhoni’s Journey: A GoalKeeper to Baap of IPL
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, popularly known as “Thala,” was not born as the ultimate God of IPL. His journey throughout his career is very inspiring; he was not initially a wicketkeeper as a sportsman but a goalkeeper!
Yes, in school, he was actually a goalkeeper. Yup — The man who became the father of IPL wasn’t even dreaming of being a cricketer.
But once the school coach spotted his quick hands and said, “Try wicketkeeping.” And that tiny shift changed everything.
He began playing local cricket, travelling in cheap trains, carrying his kit bag everywhere. No fancy academy. No special treatment. Just a boy who loved the game a little more every single day.
Then came the tough phase — Working as a TC (ticket collector) in Kharagpur.
Imagine this: Checking tickets during the day, practicing cricket late in the evening, and still holding his near-impossible dream. Most people would give up – Dhoni didn’t.
The long hair, the fearless batting, the raw power. That 148 against Pakistan, the 183* against Sri Lanka — suddenly everybody knew there was something special about this guy from Ranchi.
Fast-forward to 2008… the IPL started. Teams were choosing captains. And CSK said, “We want Dhoni.”
Isn’t that the best decision ever?
And this is where the journey to becoming the ultimate baap of IPL started. Over the years, he turned youngsters into match-winners, took CSK to finals again and again, lifted trophies like it was routine, and became the heartbeat of the league.
That’s when “Thala” wasn’t just a nickname — it became an emotion and IPL ka Baap.
And even in IPL 2025, with younger stars all around, Dhoni’s presence still hits different.
The stadium gets louder, the cameras stay on him longer, and fans — no matter which team they support — stand up a little straighter when he walks out. As time went on, Dhoni also became one of the richest cricketers in the world due to his charisma in the commercial industry.
From a school goalkeeper to the face of the biggest cricket league in the world… Dhoni’s journey is the perfect reminder:
Dreams don’t come true overnight, but they come true if you refuse to stop.
Who is the Baap of CSK?
MS Dhoni is the Baap of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) due to miraculous leadership and winning five trophies for CSK. He is the longest-serving captain in both the IPL and CSK. Under Dhoni’s captaincy, Chennai Super Kings became the most successful team in the IPL.
As MS Dhoni is the Baap of CSK, Virat Kohli is the Baap of RCB, and Rohit Sharma is the Baap of Mumbai Indians (MI). They backed their teams since the start of the IPL, consistently performing for it, winning matches, and trophies.
Virat Kohli – The Batting Baap of IPL
Virat Kohli is referred to as the batting baap of IPL with 8,661 runs in the Indian Premier League. He is the most consistent batsman in the IPL who helped RCB lift its maiden IPL trophy. Virat holds the records for most centuries (8), half-centuries (63), runs scored in a season (973), runs as captain (4,994), and catches (117).
He has scored 8,661 runs in 267 matches, the highest in IPL history.
He scored 973 runs in IPL 2016, the highest ever in a single season.
He has hit 8 centuries, the most by any player in the IPL.
He has recorded 63 half-centuries across his IPL career.
He has 10+ seasons with more than 400 runs, showing incredible consistency.
His career strike rate is around 130, balancing aggression with control.
He has scored over 6,000 runs while chasing, making him the ultimate chase master.
He scored 657 runs in IPL 2025, proving he remains among the elite.
Who is the Second Baap of IPL?
Virat Kohli, the King of Cricket, is widely regarded by fans as the second baap of the IPL because of his unmatched consistency, longevity, and record-breaking performances for Royal Challengers Bangalore.
He is the highest run-scorer in IPL history with more than 8,600 runs and holds the record for the most centuries in the IPL with 8 tons and 63 half-centuries.
Baap of IPL Teams
Till now, you have learned IPL ka baap kaun hai but who are the godfathers of individual teams? Let’s discuss them in the table below –
Team Name
Baap of IPL Team
Baap of Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
MS Dhoni
Baap of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
Virat Kohli
Baap of Mumbai Indians (MI)
Rohit Sharma
Baap of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Sunil Narine
Baap of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Baap of Delhi Capitals (DC)
Shikhar Dhawan
Baap of Rajasthan Royals (RR)
Sanju Samson
Baap of Punjab Kings (PBKS)
KL Rahul
Baap of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
KL Rahul
Baap of Gujarat Titans (GT)
Shubman Gill
These are the Baap of IPL and the godfathers of IPL teams. We have discussed IPL ka Baap kaun hai and why anyone deserves this title. I hope you liked this article.
If you think someone else deserves the title of father of IPL, don’t forget to comment on it. I will be delighted to know your thoughts.
Pankaj Suyal is a sports enthusiast and fantasy gaming expert who transforms his love for the game into compelling content. From match previews to player analysis and trending updates, he brings the sports world closer to his readers. When he is not writing, you will find him creating fantasy team or deep into a book (Yes, he is a bibliophile).
