‘Thanks to India’s population’ – Fans react as former IPL chairman Lalit Modi predicts IPL to be bigger league than NFL in near future
Recently, in the 42nd match of the ongoing Indian Premier League 2023, the tournament witnessed its historic 1000th match. Meanwhile, the former IPL chairman Lalit Modi, who is being credited for the start of this lavishing, cash-rich, and most prestigious franchise T20 league in the cricketing world came up with a recent statement for the Indian Premier League.
“I wish to thank them (fans, players, stakeholders, and regulators) all for their support. Thank you for making the IPL what it is,” said Lalit Modi to Cricbuzz on an emotional note amidst the celebrations that started in the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai yesterday on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Modi felt that IPL will be sooner the biggest sporting league in the world surpassing NFL in the near future.
“The day is not far when the IPL overtakes the NFL to become the No.1 sporting league in the world,” said Modi.
Just after these comments from the former IPL chairman, a section of Indian cricket fans took to Twitter to come up with a lot of reactions and responses. Fans also came up with some comparative reactions for both Indian Premier League and National Football League (NFL).
Here’s how fans reacted:
Yes, Thanks to India's population .
— Justin Martyr (@Kishan247247) May 1, 2023
For That MS Dhoni needs to play another years
— Arya Stark (@AryaGoat18) May 1, 2023
Abe Paisa to Kam Karo . If the IPL is for the people. Itna high price se to aam admi gharpe hi dekhega stadium kabhi ja hi nahi payega.
— the different man (@sss111ind1) May 1, 2023
It's clear that the IPL has made a significant impact in the world of cricket and has become a major player in the global sporting landscape.
— N I K H I L (@nikhilkalavale) May 1, 2023
🤣🤣🤣🤣it's better to make interesting score 250 in every matches , even 200 isn't enough for everyteam in this season
— Abhiiiiiiiii (@avinashabhi203) May 1, 2023
And itnl cricket will also vanish soon, and injury Marchants will be produced by us
— B U N N Y ! (@CRICEX19) May 1, 2023
You cricket fans live in delusional 😂😂 NFL half time show kahi zyaada famous hai tere chindi IPL Se
— RK Bhakt (@moviebuffffff) May 1, 2023
Yes IPL is a great product but it should not kill international cricket. No more window should be given.
— Srikanth Natarajan (@SrikanthNatara2) May 1, 2023
Coming back to Lalit Modi’s statement, he also talked about the viewership and infrastructure of the Indian Premier League. Apart from that, he also discussed the growth of the league in the further years since its inception 15 years back in the year 2008.
“It’s really an emotional time. It is amazing to see the IPL grow so fast and become the second-biggest league in the world in terms of value. In terms of viewership, it is No 1. More important than that is the number of youngsters we have seen in the landscape of the country. And the infrastructure that has come up across India. That is the byproduct of the IPL’s growth,” he added later.
“I have pointed out Afghanistan specifically because it was nowhere on the cricketing map. All of a sudden, it has a history of cricket. With the country going through such turmoil, it is amazing to see some world-class athletes coming out of the region. That is only because of the IPL. Where else would they have got such a high-class opportunity, otherwise, to participate? It is only the IPL that has not only given them the opportunity but made them live out of it. Some of their cricketers are probably the highest-paid players in the world now, and probably the highest-paid individuals in that country,” concluded Modi.
