“We Won, And That Was The Start Of Modern Cricket” – Lalit Modi opens up on IPL’ – Lalit Modi Reveals How BCCI Power Struggle Led to IPL’s Creation
The Birth of a Revolution
The landscape of modern cricket is undoubtedly defined by the Indian Premier League (IPL). Yet, the path to this commercial juggernaut was neither straightforward nor devoid of high-stakes drama. Recently, former cricket administrator Lalit Modi shed light on the intense internal battles within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that set the stage for what he describes as the start of modern cricket.
A Vision for Franchise Cricket
Long before the IPL became a global brand, Lalit Modi envisioned a league that combined the franchise-based model prevalent in American sports with the immense cultural fervor of Indian cricket and Bollywood. Although his initial proposals for a city-based domestic league were dismissed in the late 1990s, the political climate of the mid-2000s provided the leverage he needed to turn his ambitious idea into reality.
The Battle for BCCI Leadership
The turning point, according to Modi, was the 2005 BCCI presidential election. In an appearance on Ridhima Pathak’s YouTube show, Bad Decisions, Modi recounted how he and his associates backed Sharad Pawar for the presidency. The campaign was fraught with internal discord, exemplified by a heartbreaking loss by a single vote in the previous cycle, which Modi attributed to the defection of members from the Pune Cricket Association.
Reflecting on the volatility of those days, Modi noted, “We convinced Sharad Pawar to fight for the post. We go for election, confident of winning and we lose by one vote. Because there’s a fight. Within our own people… And Agashe gets bought over. By the Dalmia faction.”
November 29, 2005: A Day That Changed Cricket
The rematch in 2005 was arguably one of the most intense administrative showdowns in the history of the sport. As the election date approached in Kolkata—the stronghold of Jagmohan Dalmia—the tactics employed by both camps became increasingly aggressive. Modi recalled a scene reminiscent of a political thriller, involving redirected flights and delegates being kept away from meetings to prevent them from casting votes.
To level the playing field, Modi sought intervention from the judiciary. “I remember, November 29th, 2005, I remember clearly it’s my birthday. Calcutta, the elections… We managed to get the Supreme Court to pass an order that the elections will be conducted under the ages of two Supreme Court retired judges,” Modi explained. The move blindsided the opposition, resulting in a dramatic confrontation that required police presence and led to an all-day standoff.
The Aftermath and the IPL Legacy
The victory on that November day in 2005 proved to be a watershed moment for Indian cricket. With Sharad Pawar’s camp firmly in control of the BCCI, the administration pivoted toward a more commercial and merit-based approach. The shift in power dismantled the long-standing influence of the Dalmia faction and empowered those who favored structural changes in the sport.
Modi remains convinced that this administrative victory was the essential precursor to the IPL. By securing power, his group was able to push forward the reforms necessary to launch the franchise-based tournament in 2008. Looking back at the individuals involved, including figures like Arun Jaitley and N. Srinivasan who were on the opposing side, Modi emphasized that the success of their campaign was ultimately about bringing a fresh, professional, and merit-based vision to a board that was in dire need of transformation.
Conclusion
The story of the IPL is not just about cricket; it is a story of political will, strategic maneuvering, and the audacity to challenge the established order. Lalit Modi’s recollection serves as a reminder that the T20 explosion we witness today is the byproduct of a monumental shift in power that occurred nearly two decades ago in the boardrooms of the BCCI.
