344. The Invisible Trophy: Is The Fair Play Award in the IPL Even Relevant?

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 344 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. At the end of every IPL season, alongside the glittering trophies and title celebrations, there’s another award, one that honours ‘fair play’. But what does fairness really mean in a league built on intensity, competition, and spectacle?

In this episode, Sarthak Dev joins in as we dive deep into the IPL Fair Play Award—its history, its purpose, and the paradoxes it embodies. We ask tough questions: Is fair play something teams genuinely practice, or something they perform for points and perception? 

Does the award still matter in today’s commercial IPL, or is it a symbolic relic of a simpler time? And ultimately, what does it say about the way we value ethics, discipline, and respect in sport and in life?

Join us for a reflective, philosophical conversation exploring moments of sportsmanship, controversy, and the complex relationship between winning and integrity in the IPL.