Former Indian Premier League (IPL) Commissioner Lalit Modi has publicly accused powerful betting syndicates, allegedly linked to fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim, of orchestrating his exit from cricket administration. Modi asserts that his steadfast refusal to condone match-fixing and illegal betting activities within the league put him directly at odds with the underworld, ultimately contributing to his departure.
Refusal to Tolerate Corruption
In an interview, Modi detailed how these syndicates allegedly attempted to influence the IPL during its formative years, offering him substantial sums of money to ignore illicit practices. "Because I didn’t look the other way when they wanted to fix matches. I threw people out, I did not allow fixing to take place. They offered me hundreds of millions of dollars to look the other way," Modi stated.
He further elaborated on Dawood Ibrahim's purported control over the cricket betting industry, estimating the underground market at billions of dollars per game. Modi highlighted a shift in corruption tactics, suggesting modern syndicates focus on manipulating smaller moments within a game rather than entire match outcomes.
The 2009 IPL Shift and Underworld Losses
Modi defended his leadership, maintaining that the IPL remained free from fixing controversies during its first three years due to strict measures he implemented. A pivotal moment, according to Modi, was the decision to relocate the 2009 IPL tournament to South Africa due to India's general elections.
This move reportedly caused significant financial losses for betting interests who had wagered heavily on the tournament's cancellation. Modi claimed he was later pressured to compensate for these losses. He alleged that his decisive actions against betting operators and his determination to proceed with the 2009 IPL, despite logistical hurdles, made him a target for underworld-linked networks.
A Major Factor in His Exit
When directly asked if pressure connected to Dawood Ibrahim played a role in his retirement from cricket administration, Modi responded, "It’s one of the biggest reasons. I’ve never said this before." His allegations paint a picture of a relentless battle against entrenched corruption during his tenure at the helm of the IPL.