IPL Ball Price Guide: Cost, Specs, and Buying Tips Explained

Walk into a stadium lighting up for an IPL night match—the crowd buzzing, the music thumping, and under the artificial lights, the gleam of a pure white cricket ball slicing through the air. That ball—standard in every IPL game—is no mere souvenir. It’s a product of skilled craftsmanship, rigorous quality control, and tailored to the explosive demands of modern T20.

But here’s the thing: While the franchises have spent crores on players and strategies, most fans don’t ask the one practical question—how much does an IPL cricket ball cost, and what makes it unique? Whether you’re a diehard cricket fan, an amateur cricketer, a budding journalist, or simply gear-curious, this guide unpacks everything you need to know about the IPL ball price—and more.

📍 Table of Contents

1. Introduction to the IPL Ball
2. IPL Ball Price: The Real Figures
3. Who Manufactures the Official IPL Ball?
4. SG Test Ball vs. IPL Ball – What’s the Difference?
5. Specifications: Weight, Material, and Build
6. Why Is the IPL Ball White? (And Does It Matter?)
7. Where to Buy Legitimate IPL-Style Balls Online
8. Alternatives: White Leather Cricket Balls for T20 or Training
9. Professional vs. Replica Balls: Know What You’re Buying
10. Conclusion: Investing in Quality or Just the Hype?

1. Introduction to the IPL Ball

The ball used in IPL matches isn’t just a white version of any leather cricket ball. It’s a carefully curated, match-optimized tool—engineered for visibility under lights, with a lacquer polished to last across 20 overs despite the brutality it endures.

Most interestingly, the official IPL ball represents the marriage of sports technology and traditional ball-making expertise. With batters like AB de Villiers reverse-scooping at 150 kmph and bowlers swinging white balls on flat Indian pitches, that small piece of leather carries immense weight—both figuratively and literally.

2. IPL Ball Price: The Real Figures

So, how much does an IPL ball cost in India?

The official match ball used in the IPL—manufactured by SG—is typically priced between ₹2,900 to ₹3,400 per ball in the Indian retail cricket equipment market.

3. Who Manufactures the Official IPL Ball?

For years, Sanspareils Greenlands (SG) has been entrusted with supplying balls to the IPL. Known as one of India’s leading sports manufacturers, SG is also the official red-ball provider for Indian Test matches.

Unlike Test matches that use red SG Test balls, the IPL format adheres to white balls made of premium alum-tanned leather—tailored specifically for daylight-to-night transitions and high TV visibility.

Some might wonder why Kookaburra—the ball used in ODIs and T20Is abroad—isn’t part of the IPL. The choice comes down to grip, seam construction, and brand partnerships. SG balls offer a more pronounced seam grip favored by Indian seamers, as well as less swing compared to Kookaburra balls, which helps maintain batting-friendly dynamics critical to IPL storytelling.

4. SG Test Ball vs. IPL Ball: What’s the Difference?

Don’t confuse the SG Test ball with the white one used in IPL matches. While the core leather production technique remains similar, these balls differ in multiple specs that impact match dynamics.

5. IPL Ball Specs: Size, Weight, Composition

Let’s get under the leather.

• Weight: 156 grams (as per MCC Laws)
• Diameter: Between 224mm–229mm
• Core: Layers of cork and tightly wound string
• Outer: Premium cowhide leather, alum-chrome tanned
• Seam: Hand-stitched (6 rows), prominent for grip and control
• Coating: PU lacquer (for gloss and weather resistance)

The critical aspect? Durability for exactly 20 overs. Unlike Test balls which are built to survive a day’s play, the IPL ball is optimized for visibility, minimal color damage, and per-over performance. Shine retention matters enormously under lights, especially during dew-heavy late innings.

6. Why the IPL Uses White Balls

If you’ve ever played night cricket under halogens, you know the struggle. Try spotting a red ball under synthetic light, and you’ll appreciate why white leather made its debut.

Key Reasons:

• ✅ Easier visibility in LED-lit stadiums
• ✅ Pairs well against players wearing dark kits
• ✅ Allows broadcasters to showcase ball movement clearly
• ✅ Holds shine better over short matches due to specific lacquers

But here’s the real secret: The white ball in the IPL isn’t just about visibility. It’s also about branding. The contrast of the iconic purple and blue IPL logo against white leather makes each delivery Instagram-worthy. Imagine a swinging delivery at 145kmph captured slow-mo on a UHD broadcast—branding couldn’t be better placed.

7. Where to Buy IPL Cricket Balls Online

Authenticity is everything. Here are your best options if you want an official-grade or near-official white cricket ball like those used in the IPL:

🔗 Top Online Stores:

• Decathlon India – Stocks SG range, reliable quality
• SG’s Official Website – Direct from the manufacturer
• Amazon and Flipkart – Beware of third-party fakes; check reviews
• Khelmart and Sportsuncle – Niche retailers for professional gear

Beware of confusing these with tennis or rubber cricket balls advertised as ‘IPL balls’.

8. Affordable Alternatives: White Leather Balls for Training

Want the IPL match feel without paying full price?

Many local sports academies use Tournament-grade SG white balls that mimic the IPL ball’s core specs but sacrifice lacquer, branding, or seam integrity.

9. Professional vs Replica IPL Balls

Curious if that ₹900 ball is ‘as good as the IPL one?” Dive a little deeper.

Unless you’re just looking to play backyard matches, invest in at least a club-level or tournament ball that meets the weight and stitching standard. And yes, TV ads and YouTube promos rarely tell you this plainly.

10. Final Whistle: Is the Hype Around IPL Ball Price Justified?

Cricket isn’t a game of just bat and ball. It’s a game of micro-edges—and the ball is at the very heart of it. Each time a Jasprit Bumrah yorker bends at the base of middle stump or a Glenn Maxwell switch-hit counters spin in the final death overs, what’s enabling that play isn’t just the athlete—it’s their equipment.

When we talk about the IPL ball price, we’re not just talking rupees. We’re talking:

• Engineering built for velocity, visibility, and variation
• Heritage from SG stitched into elite-level gameplay
• An emblem of cricket’s modernization and marketing power

Whether you’re buying the ball for training, admiration, or performance—knowing what you’re paying for makes all the difference.

Next time you see an IPL six flying into the stands, just remember: before that shot became a headline, the ball amidst all that white leather and red stitching was already making a statement.

💬 Got questions or ball reviews from your last T20 knock? Share them in the comments below. Let’s talk seam, shine, and swing.

Let the game begin—now that you truly know what’s behind that swinging white marvel.