Lalit Modi calls Sharad Pawar a 'global icon', giving him credit for IPL dream to become reality | Mint

Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi came out in support of the NCP leader and the former BCCI functionary Sharad Pawar. Modi, while responding to a news article that gives Pawar credit for his role in obtaining the IPL Green Light, the senior leader called a ‘global icon’ that should not be forgotten. In a post on Instagram, Modi wrote: ‘Absolutely correct. It was because of #sharadpawar – his blind belief in me and my 100 percent supported, we have @ipl Yes, we must thank him for the global icon we all love. He made me realize my dream. And the world cannot do without the IPL. So MR @Pawarspeaks must city. Some criticism of social media of the Mumbai Cricket Association’s recent decision to call a cricket stand at the Pawarie Stadium to Sharad Pawar. Pawar served several lead as MCA president. The veteran administrator also served as president of the BCCI from 2005 to 2008 and president of the ICC from 2010 to 2012. While not a cricketer himself, the 84-year-old is often credited with the commercial surge in Indian cricket, including the full support to the introduction of IPL. Since his first season in 2008, the IPL has become one of the most popular T20 leagues in the world, with many foreign players forfeiting even the national duty to play in the Money Spin League. The T20 leauge has been credited to bringing wealth to the BCCI, while also providing a platform for young players to showcase their talent. Many of the current players of India have their roots in the IPL, including India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, Pacer Jasprit Bumrah, Allrounder Hardik Pandya and very powerful opening batsmen such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhishek Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson. The tournament was also often accused of glambling too much and prioritizing entertainment at the expense of the purity of cricket. Critics also argue that the rise of the IPL led to young talent focusing more on the 20-over-play, which led to a decrease in longer formats of the game such as ODIS and Tests. First Published: 20 Apr 2025, 04:14 PM IST