Lalit Modi Defends IPL Creation, Questions BCCI Control Over League’s Vision

Lalit Modi reflected on the creation of the IPL, defended his vision behind the league, and expressed regret over not securing a permanent governance role before his exit from Indian cricket administration.

Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi has once again defended the decisions that shaped the Indian Premier League, insisting that the tournament’s success was the result of meticulous planning rather than chance.

Widely regarded as the architect of the IPL, Modi played a key role in launching the competition in 2008. The tournament revolutionized cricket by combining sport and entertainment, eventually becoming the model for franchise leagues across the globe.

Looking back on the league’s origins, Modi revealed that extensive preparation and research went into developing the concept. He also maintained that he would not alter his approach if given another opportunity to build the tournament from scratch.

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“It (The idea of IPL) just didn’t come out of thin air. It went through a lot of scientific research and a lot of learnings of mine. Everybody around the world has tried to create what I created and failed. When people say, I made a mistake, I didn’t make a mistake. If I had to ever do this again, it wouldn’t be any different from what I did last time,”

Former IPL Founder Regrets Not Securing Greater Control

Despite creating the league, Modi’s association with the IPL ended abruptly in 2010 after the BCCI suspended him over allegations related to financial irregularities and misconduct. The board later imposed a lifetime ban, ending his involvement in Indian cricket administration.

Reflecting on that period, Modi admitted that one of his biggest regrets was not ensuring a stronger governance structure for the IPL. He believes the league’s founder should have retained a permanent place in its administration and that too much authority was handed over to the BCCI.

“I regretted the fact that I left India without doing certain things that had to be done. The founder of the IPL should always get a seat on the board of the league, I gave too much power to the BCCI. I could have dictated at the time what I wanted because everybody thought it’s gonna fail. They didn’t really care about it, I had already written the constitution of a separate company being formed. Obviously, BCCI would continue to get the money but the governance of the league should have been in partnership with the IPL owners along with the BCCI.”

IPL Continues To Thrive Nearly Two Decades Later

While Modi’s tenure ended more than a decade ago, the IPL has continued its rapid rise and is now considered one of the most valuable sporting leagues in the world. The tournament consistently delivers record-breaking television audiences, sponsorship deals, and franchise valuations.

The recently concluded IPL 2026 season further highlighted the league’s growth, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru successfully defending their title. RCB defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, becoming only the third franchise in tournament history to win back-to-back championships.

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Nearly 20 years after its launch, the IPL remains the benchmark for franchise cricket worldwide, a legacy that Modi continues to associate closely with his original vision for the competition.