Former IPL president Lalit Modi, recalling a conversation with West Indies veteran Chris Gayle, expressed doubt about the growth of cricket in the United States. Modi said Gayle described the atmosphere in Major League cricket in Texas, which is “dead” without superstar players like Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni.
The International Cricket Council hosted a few matches of the 2024 T20 World Cup in the United States, but the attendance was modest except for India’s sports. In particular, the USA Cricket Association launched the Major League cricket in 2023, and the League continued to face challenges in attracting a large crowd.
Chris Gayle said, ‘My brother, this is dead’ – Lalit Modi
Speaking on the Beyond 23 cricket podcast with former Australia captain Michael Clarke, Lalit Modi said that the stadiums were vacant during Major League cricket last year. Modi said that cricket in America is unlikely to grow in the near future.
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“You look like Major League cricket. It is just over. I called my friend Chris Gayle. Chris, I see you in Texas. How is the atmosphere?” He said, ‘My brother is dead’.
He said, “There was no one in the stadium. He feels that the cricket going to the Olympics is going to fuel to America. This is no longer happening, this decade, the next decade, in the next 50 years, in the next 50 years,” he said.
All Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni want to spend money to see Lalit Modi
Lalit Modi said that cricket fans in the United States are unlikely to spend money to see unknown players. He said that the audience is ready to spend money to see stars like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Michael Clarke and Brett Lee.
Modi said, “I am a business specialist sitting anywhere in the world in America, San Francisco, Los Angeles. I am going to see someone named Virat Singh playing against Dushyant Singh.”
“I have never heard of him. I want I want to see and spend my money to see Virat Kohli. Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Michael Clarke, Brett Lee. These expats have worked hard,” he continued.
Indian cricketers are not allowed to play in the T20 league outside India due to the rules set by BCCI and IPL Governing Council. They can only represent their franchisees in the Indian Premier League. After retirement from Indian cricket, players can participate in the foreign league.
When India played Pakistan in New York, the stadium was filled – Lalit Modi
The former president of the IPL insisted that cricket fans are ready for high-profile matches and star players. He said that the India-Pakistan game in New York attracted the crowd, but other matches and local leagues failed to attract attention.
Modi said, “Now, India Pakistan was played in New York. We filled the stadium. Did anyone fill another stadium in the World Cup which was only in America? No. Does anyone watch the Ranji Trophy in India? No,” Modi said.
“Does anyone watch the local league anywhere. No. Now people see star players. If there are no stars, there are no Indian stars, why will the Indian migrant population or Commonwealth population see Major League cricket?” He said.
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