In an exclusive interview with ANI in London, former Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman and cricket administrator Lalit Modi described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "great cricket fan" and revealed that his interactions with the Prime Minister were largely centered around the development of cricket infrastructure in Ahmedabad.
Lalit Modi on PM Modi's Passion for Cricket
"Mr. Modi was a great cricket fan. All the dealings I had with him were because he wanted cricket in Ahmedabad," said Lalit Modi, the founder of the IPL. He emphasized that the Prime Minister consistently showed keen interest in the growth of cricket in Gujarat.
Controversial Comments on Narendra Modi Stadium
The remarks come amid a debate sparked by Lalit Modi's recent comments on the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. He had suggested that he would demolish the venue and rebuild it to deliver a superior fan experience, attracting widespread attention given that the stadium is currently regarded as one of the premier cricket venues in the world.
Clarifying his earlier remarks, the former Cricket Administrator said he was not criticizing the stadium but advocating for a more ambitious vision for Indian sports infrastructure. "It's the best stadium in India today. But it's not good enough. That's what I said. I said I'd tear it. I said that if I were to tear it down, obviously, all the others have to be torn down too. I said it's the best stadium in India today. If it were me, as Lalit Modi, and I had to give a fan experience of international quality, I would tear that one down too," he stated.
Call for World-Class Infrastructure
Lalit Modi argued that with the financial strength and global influence enjoyed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Indian cricket should aspire to create stadiums that match the standards of the world's most iconic sporting venues. "Because today, you look at a Wembley Stadium, you look at any other Lord's, you look at any stadium around the world, the Barcelona Stadium (Camp Nou), the Manchester United Stadium (Old Trafford), the Man City Stadium (Etihad Stadium), they are far greater than any stadium that we have ever had. And today we have more money in the BCCI," he added.
The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is currently the largest cricket stadium in the world, with a seating capacity of approximately 132,000 spectators. The venue features 76 corporate boxes, four dressing rooms, and an extensive concourse designed to facilitate the movement of large crowds.
Vision for Modern Stadium Complexes
While acknowledging the scale and significance of the stadium, Lalit Modi questioned whether cricket venues in India are being utilized to their full potential beyond match days. He also advocated transforming stadium complexes into integrated entertainment and commercial destinations that offer a more modern and immersive experience for fans.
"Why would you put 10,000 cars underground? Coming from all sides. Why don't you put modern escalators going up, food courts in there? If you want to make it, we don't need the money. The money will come automatically. You make it 365 days, put shopping underground. When on match day it's closed, you make it completely air-conditioned. You make restaurants in there and make it really world-class," he concluded.
