In 2007, Lalit Modi established the Indian Premier League (IPL), taking inspiration from the National Football League. However, in 2010, Modi was dismissed from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and has since resided in the United Kingdom. (Image via ESPN)
Recently, a proposal was presented to the English and Wales Cricket Board to revamp The Hundred, aiming to replicate the success of the IPL. The proposal suggested introducing 10 teams and changing the format to T20s, in order to create a more lucrative T20 League.
Modi stated his intention to secure a $1 billion investment for the 10 teams, with equal distribution of funds for player acquisitions. He emphasized that the IPL would have minimal involvement in the English league, as it was an independent entity based in England.
The ECB decided to consult with the BCCI before making a decision on the proposal. It is worth noting that Modi had previously been dismissed from the BCCI after being found guilty of eight charges. He has since resided in London.
According to a report from The Telegraph, Modi’s proposal has been rejected by the ECB. The decision was influenced by two main factors. Firstly, the ECB was not willing to relinquish its majority stake in the tournament. Additionally, maintaining a positive relationship with the BCCI, who had already distanced themselves from Modi, was a priority. Modi’s dismissal from the BCCI was a result of his threats towards teams and players when things didn’t go his way.
The ECB initially proposed The Hundred as a Franchise T20 League in 2016. After consulting with county teams, players, and the Marylebone Cricket Club, the tournament received approval from the ECB in 2017.
In this new format, matches would consist of 100 balls instead of the traditional 120 balls in T20Is. Both men’s and women’s competitions featured eight teams. However, the concept has faced criticism, with concerns raised about its impact on the longer formats of the game.
The inaugural season of The Hundred was scheduled to commence in 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The tournament eventually took place in the following year, with the Oval Invincibles emerging as the champions in the men’s competition and the Southern Brave claiming victory in the women’s competition. In 2023, the Brave secured the men’s title, while the Invincibles triumphed in the women’s category.
According to the Source firstsportz.com