The IPL Story, Part 1: Power, Politics, and Cricket in Its Origin Saga
The Indian Premier League (IPL) stands today as one of the most influential and commercially successful sporting events in the world. It’s not just a cricket league—it’s a multi-billion-dollar ecosystem combining sport, entertainment, and business on an unprecedented scale. However, the IPL’s meteoric rise was not simply a matter of luck or cricketing excellence; it was built on a foundation of political maneuvering, business strategy, and the ambitious vision of one man—Lalit Modi. The story of the IPL’s origin is a complex blend of power, politics, and ambition that transformed cricket forever. 🏏💼🔥
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| File photo of Lalit Modi. |
In Short
- The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 returns on March 22.
- This is the first part of a short series on IPL history.
- The IPL’s origin story is rooted in political maneuvering and strategic vision.
- Lalit Modi’s rise in cricket politics and his franchise-based model reshaped the game.
- India’s 2007 T20 World Cup victory gave the IPL the perfect launchpad.
The Political Seeds: How Rajasthan's Power Shift Sparked a Cricketing Revolution
Every great story has an unlikely beginning, and the IPL’s story starts not on the cricket field but in the political landscape of Rajasthan. On the morning of December 4, 2003, the people of Rajasthan opened their newspapers to a bold and provocative prediction on the front page of two leading Hindi dailies. The advertisement read: "BJP 120-plus; bye-bye Ashok Gehlot." 🗳️📢🎯
By the end of the day, the prediction had come true. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 120 seats out of 200, bringing an end to Ashok Gehlot’s five-year tenure as Chief Minister of Rajasthan. That evening, at the grand Ram Bagh Palace Hotel in Jaipur, BJP leaders and close allies of Vasundhara Raje, the BJP's Chief Minister candidate, gathered to celebrate their victory.
Among them was a bespectacled, sharply dressed man with a reputation for having both a quick mind and a sharp temper—Lalit Kumar Modi.
During the celebration, Modi, with a self-assured grin, banged the table and declared, "My next target is cricket." At the time, few would have taken such a declaration seriously. Modi was known more for his business acumen than for any cricketing pedigree. But in reality, Modi had been quietly plotting his entry into the world of cricket for years.
Key Political Factors
- BJP's victory in Rajasthan provided the political backing Modi needed.
- Vasundhara Raje’s support was critical in helping Modi infiltrate cricket politics.
- Modi's background in business and marketing gave him a strategic edge.
Lalit Modi’s Rise in Cricket Politics
At that time, Rajasthan cricket was controlled by the powerful Rungta family, whose influence over the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) spanned decades. The Rungtas operated the RCA like a private business, running it from the backyard of one of their factories. Office bearers were essentially handpicked, and elections were often a formality. 🏆👑💼
Modi saw an opening and aligned himself with Vasundhara Raje, who had just become Chief Minister of Rajasthan. In 2005, Raje helped push through a strategic amendment to the rules governing the RCA. The voting rights of nominated members were revoked, shifting the power to district cricket associations. This change was designed to weaken the Rungta family's grip and pave the way for Modi’s takeover.
When the RCA elections were held later that year, Modi’s political strategy paid off. In a closely contested and highly charged election, Modi won by a single vote, defeating the Rungta-backed candidate. His victory marked the first major step toward his larger goal—a professional cricket league modeled on American-style franchise sports.
How Modi Gained Control
- Modi strategically leveraged political influence to alter RCA rules.
- Revoking voting rights from nominated members weakened the Rungta stronghold.
- Modi’s election win established him as a key player in Indian cricket politics.
The Franchise Dream: How Lalit Modi Shaped the IPL
Modi’s idea of a city-based franchise league was not entirely new. In the late 1990s, he had pitched a similar concept to the BCCI, but the board rejected it due to concerns about external influence and a preference for maintaining traditional cricket formats. In the late 1990s, he had proposed a similar concept to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), only to have it rejected. The BCCI was skeptical of outside influence and preferred to stick to traditional cricketing formats. 🌆🏏💡
Undeterred, Modi knew that to bring his vision to life, he needed to become an insider. His big break came when he forged an alliance with Sharad Pawar, a powerful Maharashtra politician. Pawar was instrumental in ousting Jagmohan Dalmiya from the BCCI presidency—a significant power shift that allowed Modi to secure a seat at the BCCI’s high table.
Now positioned within the BCCI’s leadership, Modi began working on a blueprint for a professional T20 league that would combine the spectacle of cricket with the glamour of Bollywood and the financial power of corporate India.
Key Elements of the Franchise Model
- City-based teams owned by private investors.
- High-profile international and domestic players.
- Entertainment and cricket combined into a single package.
The ICL Threat: How the BCCI Responded
While Modi was still refining his plan, an unexpected threat emerged. In 2007, Subhash Chandra, the chairman of Zee Entertainment, launched the Indian Cricket League (ICL). The ICL attracted several retired international cricketers and domestic players with lucrative contracts. 🌍💰🔥
Faced with the prospect of losing control over Indian cricket, the BCCI had no choice but to respond aggressively. The ban on ICL players created uncertainty for many cricketers, forcing them to choose between financial security and their professional futures. This move reinforced the BCCI’s dominance but also deepened the divide between the official cricketing ecosystem and independent leagues. Under Modi’s strategic guidance, the BCCI banned all players associated with the ICL from representing India or playing in domestic competitions.
BCCI's Countermove
- Players who joined the ICL were banned from representing India.
- The BCCI used its monopoly to undermine the ICL's credibility.
The 2007 T20 World Cup: A Game-Changer
Just as the IPL was being announced, an unforeseen but highly beneficial event occurred. India’s unexpected victory in the T20 World Cup proved to be a game-changer for the IPL’s launch. The win ignited national excitement around the T20 format, making the concept of a fast-paced, franchise-based league more appealing to both players and fans. The timing created a perfect storm where cricket’s rising popularity aligned with Modi’s strategic vision for a city-based league. India’s young and relatively inexperienced team won the inaugural T20 World Cup in South Africa. The thrilling final against Pakistan made T20 cricket an instant hit in India. 🏆🎯🔥
Impact of the T20 World Cup Win
- Created a massive fan base for T20 cricket.
- Provided the perfect launchpad for the IPL.
A Legacy Born in Power and Controversy
The IPL’s first season in 2008 was a resounding success, attracting an average TV viewership of 105 million and generating over $100 million in revenue. It became the most-watched event in India that year, with packed stadiums and high TV ratings confirming its immense popularity. Despite Modi’s eventual suspension, the IPL’s legacy endures. 🏏🌟💼
Why the IPL Endures
- Strong fan engagement.
- International player participation.
- High revenue generation.
The Saga Continues
The story of the IPL is far from over. The next chapter promises to unveil the power struggles, controversies, and strategic moves that shaped the league's future—offering a deeper understanding of how cricket's biggest spectacle evolved. 🌍🔥🏏 It remains a product of political maneuvering, business strategy, and cricketing passion. The next chapter in this saga will explore how the very forces that built the IPL eventually turned against its creator. 🌍🔥🏏