Lalit Kumar Modi is an Indian cricket administrator and businessman, best known as the founding commissioner and chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the franchise-based Twenty20 cricket competition launched by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2008. He also served as a vice-president of the BCCI and as president of the Rajasthan Cricket Association.
| Full name | Lalit Kumar Modi |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Cricket administrator, businessman |
| Known for | Founding the Indian Premier League (2008) |
| Family business | Modi Enterprises (K. K. Modi Group) |
| Roles held | Chairman and Commissioner, IPL; Vice-President, BCCI; President, Rajasthan Cricket Association; Vice-President, Punjab Cricket Association |
Modi belongs to the Modi family, an industrial family associated with the K. K. Modi Group, which has interests in tobacco, education, agro-chemicals and other sectors. He pursued his higher education in the United States before returning to India to work in the family's business interests, including ventures in television distribution and entertainment.
Modi entered cricket administration through state associations, eventually becoming president of the Rajasthan Cricket Association and a vice-president of the BCCI. He had long advocated a city-based, franchise-driven domestic Twenty20 league for India, modelled in part on major American sports leagues.
In 2008, the BCCI launched the Indian Premier League with Modi as its first commissioner and chairman. Under his stewardship, the league auctioned eight city-based franchises, signed broadcasting and sponsorship contracts, and adopted a player auction system. The inaugural 2008 edition was won by the Rajasthan Royals, captained by Shane Warne. The 2009 edition was relocated to South Africa due to its scheduling alongside Indian general elections, with the logistics overseen by Modi's team.
In 2010, following the IPL season held that year, Modi was suspended by the BCCI pending an inquiry into matters relating to the administration and bidding processes of the league. He was subsequently expelled from the BCCI. Modi has since lived outside India for an extended period.
Modi is widely credited as the principal architect of the IPL, which transformed the commercial landscape of cricket by introducing franchise ownership, large-scale player auctions, and high-value broadcast and sponsorship deals. The league became one of the most-watched domestic cricket competitions in the world and influenced the creation of similar Twenty20 leagues in other cricketing nations.