When we think of the Baap of IPL, the mind often races to powerhouse players, legendary franchises, or thrilling last-ball finishes. But before MS Dhoni was hailed as CSK ka baap kon hai, or before fans debated ipl ka baap kaun hai player, there was one man who changed the entire game—Lalit Modi. He didn’t just create a tournament; he rewrote cricket’s future.
This is the fascinating tale of who is baap of IPL teams, not by runs or wickets, but by pure vision.
From Sugar Legacy to Cricket’s Godfather
The story begins in 1996, when the grandson of Delhi’s Sugar King, Lalit Modi, moved to Mumbai with big dreams. In just a few years, he was signing major corporate deals and laying the groundwork for a radical idea—a city-based cricket league with business tycoons owning teams and both Indian and international players participating.
This tournament was named the Indian Cricket League (ICL), a concept far ahead of its time. However, the BCCI, led by Jagmohan Dalmiya, saw it as a threat. He believed private business in cricket would dilute BCCI’s control—a move that would end their monopoly.
The BCCI outright rejected the proposal. But Lalit Modi wasn’t one to back down.
The Long Game
Modi took his vision to Madhavrao Scindia, the then-president of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association, who not only supported him but also brought influential contacts on board. Even stars like Rahul Dravid and Venkatesh Prasad showed interest. But BCCI again slammed the door shut.
So Modi changed his strategy. Over the next decade, he networked his way through the corridors of cricket boards across India. By 2004, when Sharad Pawar challenged Dalmiya for the BCCI presidency, Modi helped rally the opposition. In return, he was appointed Vice President of BCCI and head of its Marketing Committee.
And here began the real transformation.
Zee vs. BCCI: The Trigger
After Modi sold India’s cricket broadcasting rights for a whopping $630 million, the losing bidder—Zee TV—launched their own version of a private cricket league, also named ICL. It was a direct challenge to BCCI. Post India’s dismal performance in the 2007 World Cup, BCCI was under fire. It had to act.
Modi saw the moment and struck hard.
He warned that any player joining ICL would be banned. Support staff lost their jobs. ICC was persuaded to distance itself from ICL. But deep down, Modi knew courts could rule in Zee’s favor. So he played his masterstroke.
IPL Is Born – The Real Baap of Cricket
In just 7 days after Pawar expressed the need for a new domestic format, Lalit Modi announced the Indian Premier League (IPL). There was no funding, no sponsors, no set plan. But Modi had a dream.
At that time, nobody believed T20 had potential in India. But then came the 2007 T20 World Cup. India’s young guns, especially the bowl-out thriller against Pakistan and Yuvraj’s six sixes against England, ignited the nation.
Now Modi’s multi-million dollar vision of a cricket league with the glamour of Bollywood and the drama of the EPL started making sense.
Marketing Genius Meets Masala Cricket
Modi hired Sundar Raman, a non-cricketing marketing expert, as COO. Newspapers ran daily stories, “leaked” gossip, and celebrity connections. Shah Rukh Khan was invited to promote Om Shanti Om at a match. Icon players like Sachin, Dravid, Ganguly, Sehwag, Laxman, and Yuvraj were strategically attached to home franchises—even if it needed controversy.
Eventually, Sony acquired broadcasting rights for $1 billion. Initial resistance from business houses faded, though three out of eight team owners were Modi’s close allies. Yet the auctions broke records.
In just 180 days, Lalit Modi created a league that would redefine global cricket.
So, Who is the Real God of IPL?
While fans still argue over who is the god of IPL—be it Virat Kohli for his records, MS Dhoni as the king of ipl baap, or Rohit Sharma for his titles—the real baap of cricket in the IPL context is undoubtedly Lalit Modi.
His audacity, vision, and marketing genius birthed the world’s richest and most-watched cricket league. The IPL has become a fusion of sports and entertainment, drawing billions globally.
So next time someone asks “who is baap of ipl?”, remember: it’s not just about runs or wickets—it’s about vision, and in that department, Lalit Modi is the god of IPL cricket.Still wondering “cricket ka baap kaun hai” or “baap of cricket”? The answer is the man who created the stage for all these stars to shine—Lalit Modi.
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