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What Is Fair Play Award In IPL : With Award Winners List 2008-2023

The Fair Play Award in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is a recognition bestowed upon the team that displays the best sportsmanship, adherence to the spirit of the game, and upholds the principles of fair play throughout the tournament.

Subhayan Dutta
Subhayan Dutta

Last Updated: 2024-05-02

Louis Hobbs

7 minutes read

Cricket team Indian

Image Credits: @msdian_deepak7 (x.com)

Understanding what is fair play award in IPL requires familiarity with both the rules of the game and the spirit of cricket. Essentially, the IPL Fair Play Award is presented to the team that demonstrates the best adherence to the rules of cricket and upholds the spirit of fair play on the field. In IPL 2023, the Fair Play award was bestowed upon the Delhi Capitals for their exemplary conduct throughout the tournament.

Since its establishment in 2008, the Indian Premier League 2023 has brought about significant changes in cricket, raising the bar in batting, bowling, and fielding standards season after season. The introduction of various awards has recognized outstanding performances at both individual and team levels as well. Alongside this, a strong emphasis has been placed on upholding the integrity and fairness of matches. Teams earn crucial points by following specific regulations and promoting respect towards their fellow players, opponents, and especially the match officials.

Chennai Super Kings have the most Fair Play awards with six wins. Other victorious teams include Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings, and Gujarat Lions.

What is Fair Play award in IPL: How are points given?

A team can receive a maximum of ten points per match, allocated by both on-field umpires and the third umpire. These points are crucial in determining the Fair Play Award winner at the end of an IPL season.

Out of the total ten points, four points are awarded based on the team's adherence to the "spirit of the game," as judged by the umpires. The remaining six points are divided among three additional criteria: respect towards the opposition, adherence to the laws of cricket, and respect towards the umpires. Each criterion can earn a team up to two points.

A team's performance is categorized as "good" if it receives two points in a specific criterion. Conversely, earning one or zero points indicates an "average" or "poor" performance in that area.

Image Credits: @MaheshKuttyy

Image Credits: @MaheshKuttyy

The Fair Play Award winner isn't determined solely by the total number of points received but by the average rating per match. This calculation involves dividing the total points earned by the number of matches played, ensuring fairness and equality across all teams in the competition.

IPL Fair Play Award Winners List: 2008 - 2023 

SEASON

WINNER TEAM

2008

CHENNAI SUPER KINGS

2009

PUNJAB KINGS

2010

CHENNAI SUPER KINGS

2011

CHENNAI SUPER KINGS

2012

RAJASTHAN ROYALS

2013

CHENNAI SUPER KINGS

2014

CHENNAI SUPER KINGS

2015

CHENNAI SUPER KINGS

2016

SUNRISERS HYDERABAD

2017

GUJARAT LIONS

2018

MUMBAI INDIANS

2019

SUNRISERS HYDERABAD

2020

MUMBAI INDIANS

2021

RAJASTHAN ROYALS

2022

RAJASTHAN ROYALS & GUJRAT TITANS

2023

DELHI CAPITALS

2024

TBD

Cricket, known as the gentleman’s game, holds a rich history spanning nearly 120 years. Despite its evolution, the essence of upholding cricketing laws and maintaining sportsmanship remains paramount. This ethos is deeply ingrained in the sport and is upheld by cricketing bodies and organizations worldwide, including the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The IPL, acknowledging the significance of the spirit of cricket, actively promotes goodwill and positive behaviour among players on the field. Despite the high intensity and stakes involved in IPL matches, the league emphasizes the importance of maintaining composure and respectful conduct.

Players, representing diverse cultures and backgrounds, converge in the IPL to compete fiercely yet responsibly. The league's efforts to encourage fair play and exemplary behaviour are evident through various initiatives that recognize teams and individuals embodying these values.

The IPL Fair Play Award is a recognition bestowed upon the team that demonstrates exceptional on-field conduct throughout the Indian Premier League season. Following each match, the two on-field umpires and the third umpire assess various factors such as interactions with opposing players, honesty, and other attributes, assigning points to each team based on their behaviour.

At the end of the season, the team with the highest accumulated points receives the prestigious IPL Fair Play Award. Chennai Super Kings hold the record for the most Fair Play Awards, having won it six times. Additionally, Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai Indians, and Sunrisers Hyderabad have each claimed the award twice in IPL history.

However, two teams have yet to secure this accolade. Despite their successes in the IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders and RCB (Royal Challengers Bangalore) have not won the Fair Play Award. This distinction remains irrespective of their achievements on the field. It's worth noting that even the newest IPL teams, Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants, are yet to win this particular honour.

FAQs

Which team has won the most number of IPL Fair Play awards?

Chennai Super Kings have been the most successful team in terms of winning the IPL Fair Play award, having received it on six occasions, the most in the league's history.

Who won the first Fair Play award in the Indian Premier League?

Chennai Super Kings, under the leadership of MS Dhoni, clinched the Fair Play award during the inaugural season of the IPL in 2008.

Which teams have never won the IPL Fair Play award?

Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore have yet to win the IPL Fair Play award.

What is the prize money allocated to the IPL Fair Play award winners?

The IPL Fair Play award winner receives a prize of Rs 10 lakhs after the season.

Which team won the Fair Play award in IPL 2021?

The Fair Play award in IPL 2021 was won by Rajasthan Royals.

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Subhayan Dutta
Subhayan DuttaSports Writer

An M.A. in English Literature, Subhayan is an experienced journalist and sports writer. Having worked as a journalist at Hindustan Times, Subhayan covered diverse beats including sports, education, and health, showcasing his versatility and in-depth understanding of various subjects.