Lalit Modi says India’s cricket venues should evolve beyond match-day use, proposing integrated entertainment, retail and hospitality infrastructure around stadium complexes.
Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi said India's cricket venues should match global standards, while describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "great cricket fan" during an interview in London. | ANI
Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi has defended his controversial remarks about Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, insisting that his comments were not aimed at criticising the venue but at pushing Indian cricket towards global standards in fan experience and infrastructure.
In an exclusive interview with ANI in London, Modi also recalled his interactions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing him as a keen cricket enthusiast whose focus was always on developing the sport in Ahmedabad. His comments come amid discussion around his recent suggestion that he would demolish and rebuild the world’s largest cricket stadium if given the opportunity.
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According to Lalit Modi, the debate around his remarks has overlooked the larger point he was trying to make. While acknowledging Narendra Modi Stadium as the finest cricket venue in the country, he argued that Indian cricket possesses the resources to think much bigger and create sporting destinations comparable with the most iconic arenas across the world.
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“Mr Modi was a great cricket fan. All the dealings I had with him were because he wanted cricket in Ahmedabad,” Lalit Modi told ANI.
Addressing the controversy directly, the former cricket administrator said he never intended to belittle the stadium’s stature.
“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,” he said.
He maintained that if the objective was to deliver a truly international fan experience, every existing cricket venue in the country would need a rethink, including Ahmedabad’s flagship stadium.
The Narendra Modi Stadium, with a seating capacity of around 1.32 lakh spectators, is currently the largest cricket stadium in the world and one of the most prominent sporting venues in India.
Lalit Modi argued that the financial strength of the BCCI should allow Indian cricket to dream beyond conventional stadium design.
Drawing comparisons with some of the world’s most recognisable sporting venues, he said Indian stadiums still fall short in terms of overall visitor experience and infrastructure.
“Today, you look at Wembley Stadium, Lord’s, the Barcelona Stadium, the Manchester United Stadium, the Man City Stadium, they are far greater than any stadium that we have ever had. And today we have more money in the BCCI,” he said.
Beyond cricket, Lalit Modi said stadiums should evolve into year-round entertainment hubs rather than facilities that remain active only during matches.
He suggested incorporating underground shopping areas, restaurants, food courts, escalators and climate-controlled public spaces that could attract visitors throughout the year.
“Why don’t you put modern escalators going up, food courts in there? Make it 365 days. Put shopping underground. Make it completely air-conditioned. Make restaurants in there and make it really world-class,” he said.
According to him, such integrated developments would not only improve the fan experience but also generate sustainable revenue streams for sporting venues outside match days.
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