Lalit Modi Slams Sanjiv Goenka Over IPL Success Credit; Calls LSG Owner A “Clown”

NEW DELHI — The Indian Premier League (IPL) is currently witnessing a financial explosion, but the astronomical rise in valuation has reignited a bitter feud over who deserves the credit. Lalit Modi, the league’s first chairman and conceptualizer, launched a blistering attack on Sanjiv Goenka, the owner of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), after Goenka appeared to overlook Modi’s foundational role in the tournament’s success.

1. Billion-Dollar Deals Shake the League

The war of words follows a historic week for IPL valuations. Two of the league’s original franchises were recently sold in blockbuster deals that have reset the market:

• Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB): Defending champions RCB were acquired for a staggering $1.78 billion (~₹16,600 crore) by a heavy-hitting consortium including the Aditya Birla Group, Blackstone, Times of India Group, and Bolt Ventures.
• Rajasthan Royals (RR): The inaugural champions were bought for $1.63 billion (~₹15,290 crore) by a US-based consortium led by Kal Somani.

2. The Omission That Sparked the Fire

Celebrating these valuations on X (formerly Twitter), Sanjiv Goenka highlighted the incredible growth from the 2008 acquisition prices (roughly ₹270 crore for RR and ₹485 crore for RCB). Goenka attributed this growth to the “architecture of the IPL,” specifically citing the structuring of broadcast rights and governance.

However, the flashpoint occurred when Goenka stated, “Much of this traces back to the vision of @JayShah,” making no mention of the man who launched the league in 2008.

3. Modi’s Scathing Retort

Lalit Modi, known for his unfiltered presence on social media, did not take the omission lightly. In a sharply worded response, he questioned Goenka’s understanding of the league’s history.

• The “Clown” Comment: Modi directly labeled the LSG owner a “clown” and suggested he was living in his own world.
• Family Comparison: In a personal dig, Modi added that he wished Goenka’s brother, Harsh Goenka, owned the franchise instead, calling him a “true cricket fan.”
• Historical Erasure: Modi argued that Goenka’s tweet attempted to “change history” and proved he had “zero knowledge” of the league’s origins.

Goenka has yet to issue a public response to the tirade.

4. IPL 2026: Season Kick-Off

Despite the off-field drama, the focus is quickly shifting to the pitch. The IPL 2026 season is scheduled to begin this weekend:

• Opening Match: March 28, 2026.
• Teams: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs. Sunrisers Hyderabad.
• Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.

The BCCI has currently only released the first phase of the schedule, with the remaining dates expected to be announced following the completion of national election formalities.

IPL Valuation Growth: 2008 vs. 2026