Lalit Modi's big call on franchise cricket (Source: @RcbianOfficial/x.com)
In today’s cricket-crazy world, T20 leagues have stolen the spotlight, turning every match into a global spectacle. Behind this revolution, Lalit Modi remained the visionary leader who paved the way for the rise of the franchise T20 league in global cricket.
Starting with the IPL, the fans saw the cricket-playing nations launching their own T20 leagues. As the cricket world explored this new path, Lalit Modi predicted a big future for the format, saying only one league could run long alongside the IPL.
Lalit Modi makes a bold call on the future of franchise leagues
Over the years, cricket has always been a forever entertaining thing to the fans, but the inclusion of the franchise league was a revolution. As IPL stepped into the cricket arena, fans witnessed the grand celebration of the T20 format. Today, as the league’s success is celebrated globally, Lalit Modi is recognized as the visionary who made it all possible.
From 2008 to 2026, the cricket world evolved as other cricket-playing nations stepped up and launched their own franchise leagues. After India launched IPL, Pakistan launched PSL, and Sri Lanka came up with LPL T20. Adding to this, the USA launched Major League Cricket just a few years ago.
England joined the franchise wave with innovation, launching The Hundred, while the West Indies’ CPL grabbed attention with its raw T20 thrill. Despite paving the wayfor the IPL, Lalit Modi is now away from the tournament. Even staying away, he made a bold prediction on the T20 leagues, naming just one league capable of surviving long-term alongside the IPL.
“Which tournament will succeed, which will not. I can tell u now only @IPL and to a lesser extent, but still of interest, will be @CPL, the rest are all slated to become a doomsday scenario.” Lalit Modi wrote on his social media handle.
IPL- from a bold trial to the blueprint of T20 cricket’s future
Since the birth of cricket, the sport has undergone many changes, but nothing reshaped the game like the arrival of the 20-over format. T20 cricket packed drama, chaos, and edge-of-the-seat action into just 20 overs, instantly winning over fans. In 20 overs, fans experienced unreal thrills as some exceptional performances took it to another level.
But the format was destined for more thrills as the franchise league was introduced to the cricket world. In the world of the franchise league, IPL was the pioneer as it came just as a test. After being announced in September 2007, the world saw an explosion in 2008.
In its inaugural season in 2008, the world witnessed pure madness as fans embraced crictainment, a thrilling fusion of high-octane cricket and entertainment on the grand stage. Since then, there has been no looking back as the tournament only crossed boundaries and became the costliest tournament of the franchise league’s history.
IPL 2026 promises bigger thrills and higher stakes
After 18 thrilling seasons, fans have witnessed historic moments and collected iconic memories as players carved out unreal feats. After the Royal Challengers Bengaluru lifted the prestigious trophy in the last season, it is almost time for yet another season.
As per the reports, the upcoming edition will be played between March 26 and May 31. After building solid squads at last year’s auction, teams will enter the tournament with their eyes on a successful campaign. Fans are looking forward to yet another successful season in IPL 2026.
