Lalit K Modi

IPL Media rights could touch US$10 billion

Over the last 15 years, if there is one event that India and cricket fans across the globe keenly look forward to, it has got to be the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Even before Make In India was introduced by our respected PM, IPL was our biggest export to the rest of the world after yoga and spirituality. We have now achieved something that many others just dream of. It is an annual event, which is keenly followed. Some rivalries and contests are the highlights which help make the league what it is.

Several lives have been improved by the league. A cricket economy helping close to 1000 plus families has emerged and survived the worst economic recession and a global pandemic. It is now therefore rated as the third biggest sports entertainment product globally. Could we have imagined this would have happened when we launched the league in 2007?

Yes, we did. As the proud father of this baby, I sit far away from the contests watching with a lot of pride as it grows into a gigantic product. It is truly a proud moment because I have seen what we planned in 2007 grow into something massive.

When we conceived the idea back in 2007, there were a lot of naysayers. Will this work? Why would companies own teams? What about the auction? Isn’t it immoral? We had all these questions thrown at us right at the start. But we knew just what we were aiming for. We had a lot of friends to thank for believing in our product.

Today those very people have grown into massive cricket business houses investing in leagues worldwide, like what we have with Knight Riders! There are others also, like the GMR and Reliance, who are keen to diversify into other leagues. It is all due to the success of the IPL that these companies have the belief in expanding their vision and growing in other territories. But nothing will be bigger than their IPL investment, ever!

These team owners deserve all the kudos. Then there are the commercial partners who have grown manifold in the past few years. If you look at the IPL commercial partners, you indicate the prevailing trend. The current trend in the world is all the tech-based apps that simplify your daily lives. But in the IPL, they are multiplying the finances for all. The support from these fintech companies is an indication that the economy around the world has changed and the IPL has been quick to embrace it.

If you thought that this was a new trend, nope, think again. We were ahead of the world not just in launching the league back in 2007 but also in envisaging the way broadcast of the league would happen.

Back in 2010, when I travelled to the US with my core group, little did anyone know then about just what I was planning. We went to the Google office and came back with a win-win deal. The first-ever cricket live streaming happened on YouTube in 2010, with a dedicated fun feed. This fun feed provided behind-the-scenes content that was not visible on TV. This was a landmark moment for the coverage of the IPL and that too in its third year. If I had carried on, we would have come up with more innovations. We would not have had to wait 12 years for Google to pick up ITT for broadcast starting from the 2023 season.

Of course, better late than never because IPL on YouTube was a moment to savor, which we all enjoyed being a part of. That YouTube arrangement was just one of the innovations we attempted and succeeded in.

The television deal with Sony Entertainment Television was also a massive achievement. Of course, Star quadrupled the agreement in 2018. As we are at the cusp of another new media rights deal, the world is running out of fingers to count the numbers in store.

Everybody is throwing numbers on the table. But if you have to listen or believe in one number, then it is from yours truly. I predict that this new IPL media rights tender will fetch close to 8 to 10 billion dollars. I believe this is the value of a genuinely global and world-class product.

I am confident that this value will match the fun on the field with several close contests and a lot richer talent bursting through with their performances.

The 2022 season has already provided us with so much joy with young fast bowling talent. Imagine this was possible in the first entire season with 10 sides. What could be the case with all teams playing each other twice? That would double the excitement and is the reason for my optimistic assessment of the increased value of media rights.

The explosion in the digital space, which we first explored briefly back in 2010, is now a reality. Every life is dictated by the mobile phone and IPL will be no different. Linear TV is still very much the lifeline for an Indian audience. So that is going nowhere. Now add the digital boom and the strength of Linear TV, and we have close to 10 billion dollars!

When the veil is lifted on the winner next month, please remember who told you first about the value of the rights. Then, I will be ready to raise a toast to the winning party and will doff my hat to the paying public. These two sets of people have helped make my vision durable.

Without them, IPL, cricket and I would have been nowhere. So now, go on, enjoy the rest of IPL 2022 and remember my words while you watch the action.

Lalit Kumar Modi

 

Follow my thoughts on IPL 2022 through my Twitter account @lalitkmodi and Insta account @lalitkmodi 

Lalit K Modi

Making history came naturally to the man. I will never forget that he was the first name that went up for a bid in the first-ever IPL auction and when he was sold for USD450000, he created history just like that! However, he was no stranger to making history. He innovated and negotiated the captaincy and coaching role with the Rajasthan Royals. With his exploits in Test cricket, he had earned greatness already, but with the IPL, he went several notches higher, showcasing his fantastic leadership skills.

Lalit K Modi

Over the past few days, I have been reading a lot of junk about my role in the Indian Premier League (IPL) becoming what it is today. The fact that the IPL has walked away with 12,500 crores from the sale of two new teams is not a testament to anything but the solid foundation that I had laid down back in 2007 for the tournament.

Lalit K Modi

Let’s not forget that history will document how the Indian cricketers reacted when a calamity of this magnitude stared India in the face

Lalit K Modi

When I look back, I reminisce about some fulfilling years with the BCCI. But I always had just one focus: the players’ welfare.

Lalit K Modi

The IPL is finally back. After what seemed like forever, I am glad that IPL Season 13 will continue to entertain my fellow Indians and cricket fans worldwide.

Lalit K Modi

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has just headhunted a highly-rated cricketer turned administrator as their new Managing Director in Waseem Khan. A highly-respected figure in English cricket, Khan, was also tipped for other roles in England too.

Lalit K Modi

I have been away from the world of cricket for some time now. The sport I love has depressed me in many ways. The powers that be have for very long let the game down and in turn, hurt the fans – the true shareholders of the sport.

Lalit K Modi

There is a great sense of pride, when I look back, that India owns the greatest cricket league in history. I feel proud that the world has followed the Indian Premier League (IPL) formula to churn out an industry of sports leagues across the globe.

Lalit K Modi

Honourable Supreme Court of India has given the perfect New Years’ gift to all cricket fans in India. In my view they have set a new benchmark in the way cricket and indeed sport will be governed for ages to come. There comes a time in every era when a landmark change happens which leaves a long lasting impact in every sector. In terms of India as a country, we saw that change being created first in 1991 when the economy was opened up and then in 2016 when the demonetisation of currency was implemented.

Lalit K Modi

Mr. Lalit Modi President of Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) has welcomed the amicable solution of the stalemate in RCA management. In a statement issued here Lalit Modi has expressed satisfaction that good sense prevailed amongst constituent members and all differences have been buried. The time that was wasted could have been put to valuable use for betterment of cricket. I have a vision for Rajasthan Cricket Association both for infrastructure development as well as cricketing activities in the state which I would accomplish with the full support of the association.

23 JULY 2016

Lalit Modi welcomes the Hon. Supreme Court's decision to professionalise the BCCI

Lalit K Modi

Lack of innovations in IPL. Try one associate/affiliate player per team to spread it around the world and also gain more eyeballs and unearth new talent.

Lalit K Modi

The 2015 World Cup has been successful but one question that begs to be answered despite a successful World Cup is world cricket ALIVE and kicking? Or will the game of cricket, as we know it die a slow and painful death if the ICC does not wake up soon and smell the winds of change blowing through the air.

Over the years Indians have been privy to dirty politics - the likes of booth capturing, money for votes, illegal voting etc., but never ever has one been privy to what transpired in the Banana Republic that is now the state of Rajasthan.

The World Cup is well and truly ON and that can be gauged by the level of conversation both online and offline that the event is soliciting.

The weeks building up to the Cricket World Cup 2015 are amongst the most exciting for the cricket fans all over the world. Despite the multitude of international cricket tournaments that have blossomed over the years, the ICC Cricket World Cup remains to this day, the sport’s greatest spectacle and the crickets most most-coveted prize.

Glasgow Rangers FC is an institution in itself given the history and lineage of the club. Yes I am looking at acquiring a stake in this Scottish institution, as I think the club is seriously undervalued. The Glasgow Rangers have a fabulous fan base, a solid home and heritage that dates back over 100 years all of which make for great long term value. I have thus initiated talks with a couple of shareholders to understand the situation onground and am keen that these discussions lead to fruition. Having said that, these discussions are still at a very preliminary stage.

The BCCI’s president in exile or rather the demon in chief of Indian cricket, N Srinivasan is being questioned by the honourable Supreme Court (SC) of India yet again. But the devil sees no harm in that, yet again!

By Lalit K Modi, 30 August, 2014

By Lalit K Modi, 24 August, 2014

By Lalit K Modi, 19 August, 2014

By Lalit K Modi, 13 August, 2014

BCCI has well and truly emerged as the big bad bully of world cricket. The latest example is the mismanagement of the Jadeja-Anderson spat. BCCI has tried to separate itself from the decision-making process of International Cricket Council (ICC).

N. Srinivasan despite being removed by Supreme Court as BCCI President has been formally appointed the first Chairman of the ICC after its 52-member council approved a controversial revamp of the body's administrative structure, which in itself is a harbinger of the dark days ahead for world cricket.

Lalit K Modi

Led by MAFIOSO - FIXER N Srinivasan the removed President of the BCCI by the Honourable Supreme Court of India with a supporting cast of Giles Clarke and Wally Edwards

By Lalit K Modi, 16 April, 2014

For the last two years all the allegations and questioning around the IPL have happened with N Srinivasan as the BCCI President.

26 March, 2014

Sport derives its power from the investment of seemingly trivial activity with serious intent. And that serious intent embodies the ethics of sport, which administrators have to safeguard.

By Lalit K Modi

It’s the burning desire to win all the time. For them destiny is not a matter of chance it's matter of choice.

By Lalit K Modi, 17 June, 2013

This blog reflects the conversations I had on Twitter at the weekend. It's a bit of fun at a time when we all need reminding that cricket in India should be enjoyed, not endured. This idea is intended to brighten the mood a little......

By Lalit K Modi, 5th June, 2013

Who on earth does N. Srinivasan think he is? Here is a man who refuses to acknowledge his position as President of the BCCI is untenable and not only merely 'steps aside' when he should be making a permanent exit, but also issues a series of conditions before he does so. It's unbelievable.

By Lalit K Modi, 27th May, 2013

The spot fixing scandal is the last straw for an administration that has lurched from one crisis to another. Its President’s position is now untenable and the appointment of one his own lieutenants in his place is completely out of the question.

By Lalit K Modi, 22nd May, 2013

So now Sahara pulls the plug and the BCCI continues it's lurch from one crisis to another.

By Lalit K Modi, 9th May, 2013

The current reaction to rumours that the BCCI may have exerted undue influence to oust a very capable administrator from the ICC, is a sure sign to me that people have just about had enough of the BCCI and that the ICC must do something about it. They probably won’t.

Lalit K Modi, 27th November 2012

On 3rd December, 2010, I made an application under the Right to Information Act (RTI) to obtain documents that would prove beyond all doubt, how government authorities have suppressed and manipulated information about me in order to publicly mis-represent my motives.

By Lalit K Modi 19th November, 2012

Following recent stories of a renewed level of activity surrounding the Enforcement Directorate's ongoing investigations into the IPL, I wish to clarify that my co-operation with the E.D. remains full and unequivocal. This has included five consecutive days of meetings with Indian Income Tax department representatives in London during which they were given full documentation to support our discussions.

By Lalit K Modi, 20th September, 2012

As the person who presented the IPL to the world, you'd expect me to be full of enthusiasm and anticipation for the ICC Twenty/20 World Cup in Sri Lanka and I'm certainly not about to disappoint!

The troubled BCCI has been keeping ominously quiet about an apparent point for discussion at their meeting in Chennai on Saturday. In recent weeks, there has been news of unease from commercial partners, financial issues with IPL franchises and a general malaise surrounding the IPL product itself which they show little or no signs of attacking.

By Lalit K Modi - 9th September, 2012

The BCCI meets in Chennai next weekend, knowing it has many problems to solve and the list appears to be getting longer and longer by the day. The Deccan Chargers issue is the latest problem that's dragging the IPL through the mud, but as well as that, sponsors are fleeing and new partners appear reticent to jump on board a ship that the beleaguered crew is finding harder and harder to steer.

By Lalit K. Modi - 6th September, 2012

As the future of the Deccan Chargers remains shrouded in doubt, there was an interesting article in today's edition of the Hindustan Times asking wether the sheen is wearing off the IPL. (You can read the full piece by clicking here)

By Lalit K. Modi - 23rd August, 2012

There's a vitally important period of negotiation ahead for the IPL management team if they're to ensure the tournament isn't starved out of existence as top-level, globally attractive tournament. It's now the time for sponsorship contracts to be renewed and as, I understand it, only two partners have renewed so far; Vodafone and Volkswagen.

“In May 2010 Giles Clarke CBE, Chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, sent an email to the President of the Board of Control for Cricket In India, the contents of which were subsequently widely reported in the British and international media which resulted in libel proceedings being issued by Lalit Modi. This statement confirms that the parties have agreed to settle the litigation on confidential terms.”

Lalit K Modi

What a fantastic exhibition of sporting excellence the London Olympics is proving to be and how wonderful that a small island such as Jamaica has played its part in writing another part in olympic history. I'm writing this blog the day after after the Men's 100 metres final which was simply superb. The atmosphere was electric and the excitement shown by fans all over the world was truly rewarded.

By Lalit K Modi, 20 July 2012

I do hope the prospective return of competitive cricket between India and Pakistan isn’t scuppered at the last turn. The governments of both countries have been discussing the possibility on a regular basis and for reasons you will all know, it is a delicate subject which deserves a careful, steadfast approach. It is a decision that would transcend beyond just the game of cricket. On a much wider scale, it is an opportunity for sport to show its unifying capability against heavily stacked odds and I believe a December tour by Pakistan to India would be a positive step forward - providing the terms are right for both countries. But that is a potential sticking point.

By Lalit K. Modi, 28th May, 2012

So Kolkata Knight Riders are this year's IPL champions, and how they deserve it! The odds were stacked against them but they pulled through, played some amazing cricket and sent out a powerful message about a tournament that has been dragged through the mud over the last few weeks.

By Lalit K. Modi - 23rd May, 2012

So the IPL's governing Council is apparently going to sit and assess the state of the IPL after this tournament is over. I hope they will consider changing some of the things that, frankly, they shouldn't have changed in the first place!

By Lalit K. Modi - 16th May, 2012

The last few days of spot fixing allegations against players involved in the IPL, and the subsequent BCCI activity, has certainly put the cat amongst the pigeons, but the BCCI needs to sort it out quickly for the benefit of the tournament's integrity and future welfare.

M J Akbar

A question has left me wondering about an answer: how incendiary is the combination of great ideas with great luck? History must be full of sensational ideas that withered because they did not possess the luck that attracts capital, or finds the right moment when it can flower.

Lalit Modi has today formally launched appeal proceedings against the judgement in his libel case with former New Zealand cricket captain, Chris Cairns.

Press Release

Lalit Modi's position on a bankruptcy order he maintained "should never have been made" has been vindicated after it was annulled in the High Court in London.

By Lalit K. Modi - 4th April, 2012

By Lalit K. Modi - 2nd April, 2012

By Lalit K. Modi - 22nd February, 2012

Following the news that ECB Chairman, Giles Clarke has settled a libel case brought by global sports management firm, IMG in London, I've received many messages from people wanting to know if that means the identical case I brought against him has been settled too.

By Lalit K. Modi - 6th February, 2012

Ego has a voracious appetite, the more you feed it, the hungrier it gets. And see how the ego of one man has brought BCCI to the brink of disaster. Years of effort went into making the BCCI the most cash rich cricket body in the world. This helped us provide players with better infrastructure, coaches, facilities, team staff, stadiums and increased pay.

By Lalit K. Modi - 26th January, 2012

I read with a lot of interest the statements by BCCI president N Srinivasan on the debacle in Australia. He says there won’t be any knee jerk reaction, which is good. He says the tour is yet to get over, which is correct. He says the team has had just two bad away Test series, which is also correct. But isn’t eight overseas Test losses in a row reason enough to press the panic button and verify what is the matter with the team, with the system and Indian cricket as a whole. Isn’t it the time to introspect and face some inconvenient truths?

By Lalit K. Modi - 21st December, 2011

The collapse of the television deal with broadcaster, Nimbus seems to have entered mysterious waters in the last few days and is another example of the outrageously poor leadership that continues to blight the Indian game.

By Lalit K. Modi - 9th December, 2011

Virender Sehwag's tremendous innings of 219 in 149 balls against the West Indies in Indore on Thursday has certainly highlighted India's excellent current form.

By Lalit K. Modi - 28th November, 2011

The weekend's news concerning two international figures has certainly put the world of sport and all it entails, firmly into perspective.

By Lalit K. Modi - 3rd November, 2011

The conviction , in a London court, of three young Pakistani cricketers involved in spot fixing not only shocked cricket lovers but has brought the integrity of the sport into question. More insidious is the realisation that organised crime syndicates sit behind this illegal activity and resort to any measures necessary to make their 'business'' more effective. And this explains why I'm continuing to live in London and perhaps, off the back of these stories, now is the time to explain it further with this blog.

By Lalit K. Modi - 2nd November, 2011

The guilty verdicts passed to Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif at the end of the spot fixing trial in London were a significant step in the battle against corruption in sport. Butt and Asif were each found guilty of conspiracy to accept corrupt payments and conspiracy to cheat, while a third player, Mohammad Amir, pleaded guilty to the same offences at a pre-trial hearing two weeks before the case began. The convictions represent one of the most high profile warnings to anyone - and everyone - who are involved in world sport and who may be tempted into such activity. But in many ways, the hard work starts here.

By Lalit K. Modi - 30th October, 2011

Its been an interesting few weeks for India's cricketers and after an extensive 'home and away' series with England, it feels much more comfortable to be an Indian cricket fan now than it was during the summer! Although the final T/20 match in Kolkata went England's way on Saturday, the 5-0 one-day series victory has put the disastrous summer tour to England firmly in the background. The world is suddenly a brighter place for the Indian cricket team.

Lalit has this week been officially recognised as one of the world's leading sports innovators at a prestigious International Sports Management Awards evening in London. The 2011 International Sports Event Management (ISEM) Awards evening at the Wyndham Grand Hotel, rewarded Lalit and IMG Executive Vice-President Andrew Wildblood, for their success in establishing the IPL as a commercially successful, global tournament with the 'Outstanding Contribution Award'.

By Lalit K. Modi - 20th September, 2011

The BCCI’s termination of the Kochi Tusker’s IPL franchise for non-payment of a bank guarantee, is a financial mess I predicted over a year ago and one I was prevented from trying to avoid during my time as IPL Commissioner.

By Lalit K. Modi - 18th September, 2011

The BCCI’s AGM in Mumbai tomorrow (Monday) has been the subject of much public discussion - a fact that’s hardly surprising given its importance for the future of Indian cricket. The conjecture surrounding appointments to key positions has focused on the individuals who are apparently concerned, but as soon as the decisions have been confirmed, the focus must turn to what these people are actually going to do.

By Lalit K. Modi - 8th September, 2011

An article in Wednesday’s edition (7th September) of that much respected newspaper, the Times of India, which reported the BCCI’s responses to an Indian Parliamentary Committee on alleged financial irregularities, certainly made for interesting reading. The headline read: “Can’t blame all IPL lapses on Modi, admits BCCI Secretary, Srinivasan”. For 18 months, the BCCI, largely through the activities of Mr. Srinivasan, have been given free rein to throw countless, false and unsubstantiated allegations in my direction, without any level of accountability. These have included allegations of singular responsibility for contract transactions and even erroneous claims of personal interests in IPL franchises and the Sri Lankan Premier League. All of them, as you well know by now, constantly and strenuously refuted by me with support from substantiated and irrefutable evidence to qualify my position.

By Lalit K. Modi - 1st September, 2011

There has been surprise from many quarters that I should support the BCCI this week against a proposal from the Indian Sports Minister. But frankly, I can't understand why. The proposal would have provided for unilateral government intervention into the running of all sports in India - including Indian cricket and the BCCI - via the Right To Information (RTI) act and, in my view was completely unwarranted and unnecessary. So I simply said so. To recap, the Indian Sports Minister, Ajay Maken submitted a proposal for a Bill that targeted sport in general but clearly had the BCCI firmly in its sights. Thankfully, the proposal was voted out in cabinet and won't be carried forward in its present form.

By Lalit K. Modi - 9th August, 2011

Despite India's defeats in the first Two Tests against England, I'm looking forward to the third Test which starts at Edgbaston on Wednesday. Its a make or break match for India as another win for England would clinch the series and also put them at the top of the ICC World rankings, replacing India as the number one Test team in the world. As a proud and passionate Indian, any defeat for my own country's cricketers is painful, but the additional disappointment of being replaced at the top of a ranking list would be a bitter blow. There's no denying that India haven't played well in the series so far and the analysis that has followed has been predictable and, of course, justifiable. After all, when a team reaches the top and then under performs, people - not just journalists - look for reasons.

By Lalit K. Modi - 30th July, 2011

I was delighted to receive news from the Appeal Court in London on Friday, that, together with International Management Group, (IMG) I have won an important appeal that confirms a defamation case against ECB Chairman Giles Clarke, who will now have to defend himself at trial.

By Lalit K. Modi - 12th July, 2011

Back in the late 1980's the UK's Prime Minister, John Major, now Lord Major, met with President Brezhnev of the Soviet Union. Mr Major asked Brezhnev how things were in the USSR to which he replied: 'Good'. Mr Major asked his counterpart to embellish a bit. 'Not good' came the reply. I may be stretching things but I see a number of parallels with this story in the world of cricket and the BCCI's role within it. First , the 'Good'. Here in England, in a warm midsummer, it's the height of the cricket season with much excitement at the pending arrival of India’s finest for a three-month tour. Four Tests, one T20 and five one-day internationals will provide a great spectacle and fascinating encounters between two sides at the top of their game. The ‘warm-up’ act has been pretty exciting too. Sri Lanka narrowly lost the deciding match at Old Trafford on Saturday in the five-match ODI series and could have registered a formidable 'away' win after taking a 2-1 lead after three matches. Two world-class sides with little to separate them in talent and application. But off the field its a very different story, with Sri Lanka's debt ravaged Cricket Board struggling back home with the latest financial set-back enforced upon them by their nieghbours at the BCCI. And here's the 'Not good' piece. The fact the Sri Lankan Premier League Twenty20 tournament has had to be postponed and replaced by a provincial tournament featuring six local teams was no surprise to me. It was a commercial accident waiting to happen from the moment the BCCI refused to allow Indian players to participate. Of course, if they had been allowed to play, there was the prospect of India losing players for the first two Tests with England - at Lord’s and at Trent Bridge. It didn’t seem to matter that Sri Lanka agreed to release players to play in the BCCI’s IPL tournament earlier this year and therefore weaken their own squad to tour England. With the BCCI involved, there was to be no ‘quid pro quo’ here. So, as a consequence, the Sri Lankans have been forced to replace the SLPL with a tournament involving only local players. The SLPL couldn’t happen without the involvement of Indian players, because without them there was no real opportunity to secure broadcasters in the lucrative Indian market. This meant that a tournament without its major attractions, administered by a financially stretched organisation was doomed. It's my view the BCCI knew this and saw another opportunity to impose their authority on world cricket irrespective of the consequences. A case of; ' I've made up my mind, don't confuse me with the facts'. And I'm not alone here. Former West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding was recently quoted on Fox Sports as saying this about the BCCI: “They have too much power. I do not believe any country should be able to dictate to the rest of the world.” Michael also adds: “Only the organisation that runs the sport should dictate its path. Individual boards are dictating certain things and that’s something I can’t agree with,” I couldn’t agree with him more. The whole point of being a strong organisation within the cricket world is to support its development and grow the game. I'm not suggesting this should be an act of charity, I'm simply saying it is the imperative of leadership and the reflection of vision and wisdom. Of course, India should benefit, but what’s the point if all you’re doing is creating a situation that weakens the game elsewhere and subsequently its whole future? What happens if only the strongest survive? The international calendar will be repetitive, boring and commercially unattractive. That is no good to anybody least of all the BCCI. The potential for that to become reality was also reflected in comments from the former ICC chief Ehsan Mani in a recent article carried by the Associated Press of Pakistan. He said: “In my time, every country played with every other country in a four-year cycle. That rule has been corrupted.” Of course a series involving the likes of India and Australia, or South Africa and England is currently commercially more attractive than other fixtures, but without an integrated world system, the game is heading down a slippery slope as more and more sports and other forms of entertainment compete for fans discretionary time and income. As the true authority for the world game, the ICC must now ensure the smaller nations are not sidelined. Sri Lanka may not have the richest Cricket Board in the world, but they have been blessed with some very talented cricketers who have enriched the world stage. Such nations should be encouraged to help produce more players, better tournaments and a brighter future; not forced to accept scraps from the top table at the whim of those who manipulate the guest list. So to return to my little story. Is the BCCI in danger of becoming the ‘USSR’ of cricket politics? A formidable force, both feared and venerated in its prime, that overstretched itself by trying to impose its values and life style on too many nations and cultures, and in the process lost it all? Maybe I'm stretching the analogy but we all know where the exercise of power instead of influence leads. In closing, I will admit to a little smile this week, when I realised the significance of India’s opening match in England. You’ll remember, the BCCI’s objection to the SLPL was because they incorrectly suspected my involvement in the company which owned the commercial rights for the tournament? That company was - and is - Somerset Entertainment Ventures. It was an incorrect notion that has since been firmly ridiculed as nothing more than a lame excuse. So how fitting, that India’s first stop on their tour this week, is a warm-up match.... in Somerset! I do so hope the irony isn’t lost on the travelling army of BCCI Executives (or shall we call them “Comrades” ?) -wined, dined and housed in luxury and at great cost -when they are chauffeured, across the county boundary on Friday morning.

By Lalit K Modi - 26th June 2011

It has certainly been a busy week, but unfortunately, one that hasn't reflected well on the game of cricket. Instead, the tactics of the BCCI are, once again, in focus and Sri Lanka's board has suffered at the hands of their neighbouring 'bully boys'. The beginning of this latest, sorry episode was the suggestion that I was part of the Sri Lankan Premier League set up - an allegation that has resulted in some severe damage to a tournament that starts next month. Its clearly a convenient tactic for the BCCI to use my name to cast a shadow over something they don't approve of. So, let me say one thing very clearly- I am not involved in the SLPL. Trust me, when I do get involved in another project, you will know all about it!

By Lalit K Modi - 17th June 2011

One of the great things about creating the IPL was the opportunity to be at the cutting edge of development. I got a tremendous buzz out of creating a brand new product which pushed the boundaries of entertainment and sport and some might even say I blurred the boundary between the two. If that's the case, then I'm happy to have done so. One of my personal motives for setting up the IPL was to provide something unique and exciting and in the four years it has been in existence, I think people will have seen that is certainly the case. I only hope the league can keep pace with technology and demand for future seasons. That, as they say, is another story. The IPL was set up to provide entertainment and a feeling of inclusion for spectators. We used the latest ideas and technology, including the Decision Review System (DRS) - and it worked.

By Lalit K Modi - 2nd June, 2011

Last weekend presented a great offering of international sport that has re-enforced my belief that when quality is complimented by tension, anticipation and sheer excitement, there is no better way of being entertained. Individual skill and talent can be admired across many different art forms, but when it is supported by the intense competition sport presents, the drama is intoxicating.

By Lalit K Modi - 24th May 2011

The IPL reaches its climax with the final in Chennai on Saturday, but for me, one of the most poignant moments of IPL 4 has already taken place. Rohit Sharma had made a swift 58 for Mumbai Indians against Rajastan Royals, when he was stumped by Pinal Shah, off the bowling of Shane Warne. It was Warnie's last wicket in the IPL as he brought down the curtain on a career of outstanding achievement. Its hard to comprehend that he has now played his last ever competitive match.

By Lalit K Modi - 19 May 2011

Welcome to my new website! And what a time to launch with India recently becoming World Champions and IPL providing plenty of talking points. Throughout my life, I have been a devoted fan of cricket. Cricket is my lifelong passion. It is a sport I have had the privilege of serving and enjoyed watching all over the world. So this new site mirrors my passion for the game and if you're a cricket fan yourself, I hope it will reflect yours too.