Former Indian Premier League (IPL) commissioner Lalit Modi has voiced strong support for Jay Shah's leadership in global cricket, describing his contributions as “immense.” Modi, who founded the IPL in 2008, also presented a significant suggestion to Shah: a comprehensive cleanup of governance issues within state cricket associations.
Modi's Rationale for Jay Shah's Leadership
In a detailed statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on June 9, 2026, Modi emphasized Shah as the sole individual he would trust to navigate the IPL's current growth trajectory. He credited Shah with leveraging his influence and official positions to enhance the game rather than pursuing personal interests.
“The contribution of Jay Shah to cricket is immense. He is ACTUALLY THE only PERSON I would bet upon in these times of IPL growth trajectory. Everyone else would have a personal agenda - he has used his clout and his offices to better the game,” Modi stated.
Modi highlighted the increasing complexity of managing global cricket, especially as the IPL's financial and sporting prominence exerts pressure on cricket boards worldwide. He asserted that Shah possesses the necessary qualities to steer the sport through these turbulent times.
Call for Governance Reform in State Associations
Despite his praise, Modi offered a pointed suggestion to Jay Shah regarding domestic cricket administration. He urged Shah to tackle the “muck” within state associations that fail to meet expected standards.
“My only suggestion to him - clean up the muck in the state associations that do not meet the mark. And only HE AND HE ALONE can do it,” Modi stressed, adding that Shah should utilize all his connections to achieve this goal.
Modi believes that strong leadership and effective reforms would ultimately benefit India, cricket as a sport, its players, and the millions of fans. He expressed hope that Shah could elevate cricket and the IPL to the pinnacle of the global sports ecosystem. Acknowledging that Shah’s leadership would inevitably attract criticism, Modi clarified that his support stems from a deep concern for the well-being of the IPL and the broader cricket community, emphasizing Shah as the right person for the job.