Creator of IPL, Lalit Modi Offers Bold Take to Take Cricket Forward: “Scrap ODI”

Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi had previosuly proposed scrapping ODIs and playing more Test cricket, seeking public opinion on the matter.

Creator of IPL, Lalit Modi Offers Bold Take to Take Cricket Forward: “Scrap ODI”

Lalit Modi called for ODIs to be scrapped completely on Michael Clarke's podcast. (Image via YouTube/screengrab)

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Former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi, who is currently in self-imposed exile in Sardinia, made a bold statement regarding the future of ODIs in cricket. The 61-year-old expressed a surprising opinion, proposing that the 50-over format should be ‘scrapped’ because it is losing its popularity.

Lalit Modi was most recently interviewed by former Australian World Cup-winning captain Michael Clarke, for his Beyond 23 Cricket Podcast. A much-debated figure in Indian cricket, Modi is the founder of the Indian Premier League, and was the league’s inaugural chairman. He also served as the vice-president of the BCCI before being removed in 2010 due to allegations of misconduct and financial irregularities.

In 2013, the BCCI initiated a formal investigation into the allegations against Modi, ultimately finding him guilty and imposing a lifetime ban from cricket. Shortly after, Modi fled the country and relocated to London, which led to him being officially designated as a fugitive. He has resurfaced in the media, making a series of controversial statements about both cricket and politics within India.

Speaking to Michael Clarke, the former IPL chairman proposed that One Day Internationals should be entirely eliminated, arguing that the format is losing its relevance and popularity, and no longer attracts large crowds to stadiums. Modi further suggested that bilateral series should consist only of Test matches and T20Is, as he believes the sport is evolving and its formats must change with it.

I think they should scrap One Days… They should keep the bilaterals for Test matches and T20Is and cut short the seasons. Don’t waste your money on One Days, does not make any sense today.

Lalit Modi said via Beyond 23 Cricket Podcast

Furthermore, Lalit Modi added that the ICC World Cups should be discontinued, and suggested that teams should instead focus on the Summer Olympics, as cricket is slated to be part of the multi-sport event starting in Los Angeles in 2028.

Regarding Test cricket, he argued that its popularity is at risk if matches continue to be played during the day. He proposed that all Test matches should become day-night affairs, reasoning that fans are unwilling to sit through eight hours of cricket in the day.

Cut out these so many World Cups, rather go for the Olympics, the Test World Series… In my view the format changes, Tests should be day/night.

This is not the first time Lalit Modi has called for ODIs to be scrapped. He made a similar remark after the India-Bangladesh match in the 2025 Champions Trophy, noting the surprisingly low attendance in Dubai despite the large Indian and Bangladeshi populations in the UAE. The decline in ODI popularity is also reflected in India’s recent cricket schedule, where the team has played only 14 ODI matches since the 2023 World Cup, significantly fewer than their 40 T20Is and 22 Tests during the same period.

The rise of even shorter formats like the 100-ball and 10-over versions, in addition to T20s, presents a significant threat to the continued existence of ODI cricket.

Lalit Modi Reveals Key Moment That Transformed Cricket Broadcasting in India

In a recent episode of the Beyond 23 Cricket Podcast, former Indian cricket administrator Lalit Modi spoke with ex-Australian cricketer Michael Clarke. Modi shared a pivotal moment that transformed cricket broadcasting in India, revealing he used his son’s toy coin to make a crucial decision.

Lalit Modi double-headed coin toss
Lalit Modi recalled how he used his son’s double-headed coin to auction Indian cricket’s media rights. (via Mint)

Modi recalled how he used his son’s double-headed coin to determine who would secure the television rights. On the day of the auction, he informed bidders that a coin toss would decide the order of the opening bids.

This move prevented Zee Media from gaining an advantage. Ultimately, Nimbus was awarded the rights after they outbid Zee’s $550 million offer with a bid of approximately $660 million.

Modi later added that the staggering deal established new financial records for cricket broadcasting in India. He also exclaimed that it laid down the groundwork for the future expansion of commercial rights within the sport in the country.

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