Cricket will only expand globally under your leadership: Lalit Modi praises Jay Shah
New Delhi, March 4
Lalit Modi, founder of the Indian Premier League, has lauded International Cricket Council chairman Jay Shah after the record-breaking viewership of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.
Reposting Jay Shah's announcement that the tournament had crossed 500 million viewers in India, Modi hailed the achievement and underlined India's influence in global cricket.
"That's the power that India brings to the cricket world. An amazing job is being done by you and your team despite countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan trying to hold the game to ransom. I am sure under your leadership, as shown at this World Cup, cricket will only grow globally,' Modi wrote on X.
Modi also predicted increasing strain on the international calendar due to the rise of franchise leagues. "The international level games will continue to come under pressure from domestic leagues like IPL, CPL, Big Bash League, southafrican league; luckily one does not need to worry about the hundred, MLC and others that will die slowly anyway," he wrote.
Turning his focus to cricket's Olympic future, Modi added, "But the ICC now is embarking on its most ambitious journey ahead with taking the much-loved sport #cricket onto a global stage - the Olympics in Los Angeles will expose the game to a whole new audience and new generations of children not yet exposed to our game. He also stirred debate with strong remarks about one-day cricket, questioning the relevance of the format, and urged the ICC to do away with the 50-over format.
In perhaps his most striking suggestion, Modi said, "One thing the ICC should examine is whether there is any relevance left to the one-day format.' That's in my view a format that can be done away and it will free time used to play this tournament, a better thing for players who are overstretched with the number of days they need to play in a year.
"With country duty/ICC tournaments a must appearance and their own domestic tournaments which they need to partake in, and ofcourse, not to forget a tournament no one can even think about MISSING is the only future game in town the IPL for 1. The money they can make. No. 2. the viewership. No 3 it's competitiveness. The same has evolved in all major sports. Careful consideration to the FTP must address these issues," he concluded.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As a cricket fan from the UK, I find the suggestion to scrap ODIs very short-sighted. The 50-over World Cup is still the pinnacle for many nations outside the big three. Not everything should be about the IPL and T20.
While I agree India's influence is massive, the comment about "countries trying to hold the game to ransom" was unnecessary and adds negativity. We should focus on growing the game together. Cricket in Olympics is exciting though!
Absolutely correct about the strain on players! The calendar is packed. But doing away with ODIs? That's too extreme. Maybe reduce bilateral ODI series, but keep the World Cup. That tournament has given us so many memories.
The power of the Indian audience is undeniable. 500 million viewers! That's why the BCCI's voice matters. Hoping this influence is used to nurture cricket in associate nations too, not just for commercial leagues. 🤞
Modi is right about the FTP needing a careful look. Players are choosing franchise leagues over national duty because of the money. The ICC and boards need to find a balance, or Test cricket will suffer the most.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.