Lalit Modi Demands IPL Return to Home-Away Schedule

Lalit Modi, the man who helped launch the Indian Premier League and later became its first commissioner, has taken to the media with a blunt assessment of the tournament’s current structure. In a recent interview, he argued that the league is losing roughly Rs 2,400 crore each season because it no longer follows the original home-and-away format that was promised to the franchise owners. The claim has sparked a fresh debate among administrators, team investors, and fans about whether the IPL should revert to its earlier schedule or continue experimenting with a leaner calendar.

The criticism comes at a moment when the IPL’s commercial value appears to be soaring. Two of the league’s most high-profile franchises, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals, were recently sold for a combined fee of about Rs 31,000 crore. Those figures suggest that the market still believes the brand has massive growth potential. Yet Modi’s warning points to a disconnect between the headline numbers and the underlying revenue model that teams depend on to justify such astronomical investments. For many observers, the issue is not simply about the number of matches, but about the principle of delivering on a contractual promise.

The Original Format and Its Significance

When the league expanded to ten teams in 2022, the blueprint laid out for owners was a double round-robin where each side would meet every other side twice, once at home and once away. That arrangement would produce a 90-match league phase followed by the usual four knockout games. Instead, the competition has been running a 74-match schedule, a reduction of 16 fixtures that, according to Modi, translates into a direct loss of revenue for every franchise. The home-and-away concept was marketed as a core selling point for the IPL’s franchise model. Teams were told that they would receive an equal share of the gate receipts, broadcast fees, and sponsorship money generated from every match they host.

In practice, the revenue split works such that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) retains half of the total earnings from a game, while the remaining half is divided among the participating clubs. When a team loses a home fixture, it forfeits not only ticket sales but also a share of the broadcast and advertising income tied to that event. Modi stresses that the loss of 20 matches per season is not an abstract figure; it is a concrete shortfall that affects cash flow, player salaries, and the ability of owners to invest in infrastructure. “For every game, the BCCI gets 50 percent, and the remaining 50 percent is distributed to teams,” he said in his conversation with Sportstar. “Consequently, teams are now losing out on 20 games. It is a contractual obligation, given the fees they are paying, to provide them with home-and-away fixtures.”

The language he used underscores the legal dimension of the dispute - the franchise agreements were signed on the basis of a specific match count, and any deviation could be seen as a breach of those terms. Beyond the financial calculus, the original format also carries a symbolic weight. The IPL was designed to bring top-level cricket to fans across the country, giving each city a chance to host the excitement of a marquee contest. When a team plays only a handful of home games, it diminishes the sense of ownership and engagement among local supporters.

A New Era for the IPL

In a recent development, the IPL has made history by having all 10 teams start the 2026 season with Indian captains. This milestone marks a new era for the league, with renewed direction and high expectations. The appointment of Indian captains is seen as a positive step, as it allows for greater representation and leadership from within the country. However, the issue of the home-and-away format remains a pressing concern, and it will be interesting to see how the BCCI and the franchise owners address this issue in the coming seasons.

As the IPL continues to grow and evolve, it is essential to strike a balance between commercial interests and the needs of the teams and fans. The league must ensure that it delivers on its promises and provides a fair and competitive environment for all participants. By doing so, the IPL can continue to thrive and maintain its position as one of the premier T20 leagues in the world.