Arguing that the IPL has become a global sporting and commercial powerhouse, Modi said the league does not need the International Cricket Council (ICC) to allocate it a dedicated window, as it is a domestic tournament owned and operated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
In a social media post, Modi said the BCCI had the authority to decide when the competition should be staged, while acknowledging that international commitments and player availability would need to be managed.
He maintained that world cricket should recognise the IPL’s established commercial influence rather than treat it as a tournament seeking space in the international calendar. Recalling its launch in 2008, Modi said the league had forced other entertainment industries to adjust their schedules as it captured the attention of Indian audiences.
Comparing the IPL’s standing in cricket with the English Premier League’s position in football, he argued that its commercial strength, global talent pool and appeal to broadcasters and sponsors gave it the ability to shape the wider sporting calendar.
Modi also opposed reviving the Champions League T20, which brought together leading franchise teams from different domestic leagues. He said the expansion of IPL franchise ownership into overseas T20 competitions had created potential governance and conflict-of-interest concerns. Another tournament, he argued, would compete for the same players, broadcasters and sponsors while putting further pressure on an already crowded cricket calendar.
Instead, he proposed examining a shift away from the increasingly challenging April-May heat, suggesting a January start or a carefully structured October-April schedule.
According to Modi, such a change could improve playing conditions, create more valuable broadcasting opportunities and strengthen the long-term financial foundation of Indian cricket.
He urged the BCCI, ICC and other cricket boards to work towards a calendar that reflects the IPL’s growing economic significance, warning that continuing with outdated scheduling assumptions could carry commercial costs.
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