T20 World Cup Controversy: Continued Boycott Will Benefit Only the IPL, Says Lalit Modi
Former IPL chairman warns that political interference in cricket could hurt ICC revenues and strengthen franchise leagues
New Delhi: Former Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Lalit Modi has criticised Pakistan’s decision to boycott its group-stage match against India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, stating that if such boycotts continue, the IPL will be the only real beneficiary. He said political interference in sports weakens the spirit of cricket.
“Cricket should be decided on the field, not in boardrooms or through boycotts. When politics enters sport, the game loses—but fans always remember who stood up to play,” Modi said.
Pakistan’s withdrawal from the high-profile match scheduled to be held in Colombo on February 15 followed government-level directives. Despite pulling out of the India clash, Pakistan is expected to continue participating in the rest of the tournament. This selective absence has drawn significant attention, given the historic and intense rivalry between India and Pakistan.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly consulting stakeholders to assess the implications of the decision. Under tournament regulations, points may be awarded if a match is forfeited, which could directly impact group standings. Administrators are also believed to be evaluating the broader commercial and governance consequences of the move.
Modi warned that the impact would go far beyond a single match. “This raises serious questions about the future of bilateral broadcast rights and ICC revenues. Broadcasters may hesitate to bid large sums if team participation becomes uncertain. In such a scenario, the only clear winner will be the IPL,” he said.
He added that franchise-based cricket has already taken center stage globally. “The IPL has become the biggest cricket tournament of the year, attracting players and fans from across the world and offering broadcasters an unmatched product,” Modi remarked.
The incident has reignited debate over the relationship between politics and sport. Former players and fans from both countries have expressed disappointment, noting that India–Pakistan matches are among the most-watched contests in world cricket.
If the boycott proceeds, India is likely to be awarded points for the match— a development that could reshape the group table even before the tournament fully gets underway.
