Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi threatens world cricket takeover

Modi says that he will carry on with his proposed takeover if the ICC does not mend its ways

Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi has said that he is ready with a concrete plan that can challenge the existing scenario in world cricket, ABC News reports. He also had strong words of criticism for the way the International Cricket Council (ICC) was running the game.

In May, the Essel Group had talked about setting up a rebel cricket league rivalling the IPL in a year’s time, but this is the first time that talks of overpowering the governing body has popped up. Modi revealed that he has been drawing up the plan for an alternate cricket body for quite a long time and expressed confidence that it can take on the ICC.

"We're talking about another cricketing system. There is a blueprint out there, it's got my rubber stamp on it," he said. “I have been involved in it. I say it for the first time, I've been involved in putting that (blue)print together."

"The plan that I have put together is a very detailed plan, it's not a plan that's come off the cuff, it's been taking years and years and years in the making," Modi said. “We could take on the existing establishment, no problem."

Modi went on to add that his proposed format would be based on the Test and T20 formats alone as he felt the One-dayers are outdated.

"The plan conceives only of Test cricket and T20; it doesn't take into account one-day at all," he said. “I think that is completely redundant in today's day and age. I think it should just be T20 and Test matches that should be played."

Modi criticises ICC

Modi was the brainchild behind the IPL from its infancy but was booted out of the BCCI over various allegations. Last week, a Mumbai special court had issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against him for his alleged involvement in a money-laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

The man who started the proceedings against him was former BCCI president N Srinivasan and Modi believes the present ICC Chairman will have to mend the governing body’s ways if he is to step back from his plans.

"I hope that print [the blueprint] doesn't take off," he said. “But if the people can't continue, then that print will take off and that blueprint will become the world order tomorrow. I guarantee you that, sitting here today."

"It requires a few billion dollars, I don't think it would be a problem to get that into action. But it could be done."

Modi was also critical of the way the ICC has handled the issue of the sport’s inclusion in the 2020 Olympics. The ICC have hinted that they will be holding talks over the matter, but Modi feels its something they will never agree to.

“I have been proposing that. The ICC will never agree to that; never means never," he said. “That means they would have to do away with the ICC. It is a plan that one day if I ever implement it will re-write history in the sport.

"IPL has re-written sports history in the way it's marketed. I think this will re-write history once again."