8 football teams and their IPL equivalents

*The 8 IPL team captains posing with the trophy before the start of IPL 10 (Image courtesy – IPL Twitter account)*

To compare and contrast is basic human nature. When it comes to football, comparisons are made between teams, players and the emergence of a new player sees him tagged as the next Messi, the next Ronaldo and so on.

Comparison definitely helps one draw parallels and find areas of improvement. On the flip side, it can lead to unnecessary pressure and bending of facts. Nonetheless, comparisons are a very important tool in providing a basic understanding and everyone has a special interest in making comparisons across different fields.

Just like how Sachin Tendulkar in cricket is considered the equivalent of Roger Federer in tennis or Lionel Messi in football, parallels can be drawn between teams as well.

Currently, India is being dominated by a mega cricketing wave, called the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Also read: 5 footballers and their cricketing equivalents

The IPL format involves cricket teams functioning like football clubs, right from the names and dugouts to the drama owing to the shorter length of a T20 game.

The IPL, in its tenth edition, has six teams who have taken part since the tournament’s inception and two teams who are entering their 2^nd season. So, enough time has passed for most of the teams to establish their identities. These teams can be compared to football clubs across the world depending on the similarities they possess.

Without further ado, here are eight football teams and their IPL equivalents.

#1 Liverpool – Kings XI Punjab

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Luis Suarez of Liverpool celebrates scoring their fourth goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at White Hart Lane on December 15, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) — *Luis Suarez spearheaded Liverpool’s title challenge in the 2013/14 league season*

Liverpool in the English Premier League are a huge club with a global following and great history. However, they have not won a league title since 1990 and while they have put up a fight every now and then, the wait continues.

Kings XI Punjab, based out of Mohali in Punjab, carry the pride of the state and since their formation, have always been in and around without ever threatening to win the IPL. Just like Liverpool, they came very close to winning the league in 2014, led by stunning performances from Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell.

Liverpool embarked on a title run in the 2013/14 season, led by the genius of Luis Suarez.

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - APRIL 18: The Kings XI Punjab enter the field during the opening ceremony during the IPL T20 match between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore at Newlands Cricket Ground on April 18, 2009 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Tom Shaw/Getty Images) — *The Punjab outfit failed to win the league despite making a good attempt a few seasons back*

However, both teams fell at the final hurdle and are once again rebuilding their respective sides to win the elusive title. Another common factor is the lack of star local players on both sides.

Liverpool’s academy has been budding with talent for a while now, but there has not been a single star player emerging since the days of Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Michael Owen. Likewise, Punjab boasted of the services of one of the greatest Indian cricketers in Yuvraj Singh in the beginning, but currently they are reliant on foreign recruits such as David Miller, Marcus Stoinis and Eoin Morgan to propel the team.