For years, rumours have swirled around the alleged nexus between cricket, betting syndicates and the underworld. Now, former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi has reignited that debate with a series of sensational claims involving fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim.
In a recent interview, Modi alleged that he faced threats, intimidation, extortion demands and even assassination plots linked to Dawood’s network during his time running the Indian Premier League. While the claims remain unverified and Dawood’s side has never responded to them, the revelations have once again put the spotlight on the darker forces that allegedly tried to influence the world’s richest cricket league.
Here are seven explosive claims Lalit Modi made:
1. Dawood’s Network Wanted Control Of An IPL Team
One of Modi’s biggest allegations is that individuals linked to Dawood Ibrahim wanted a stake in the IPL ecosystem. According to him, the underworld was keen on gaining influence inside the league, including through franchise ownership and other commercial interests.
2. The Underworld Lost Crores After IPL Moved To South Africa
Modi claimed the decision to shift the 2009 IPL to South Africa completely disrupted illegal betting markets. He alleged betting syndicates had heavily wagered on the tournament being cancelled and suffered huge losses when it was successfully relocated overseas.
3. A Chilling Late-Night Call Allegedly Connected Him To Dawood
Perhaps the most dramatic revelation was Modi’s claim that he was taken to a London apartment where a satellite phone call was allegedly made directly to Dawood Ibrahim. Modi said the conversation left him terrified and convinced that the threats against him were real.
4. He Was Asked To Compensate Betting Syndicates
According to Modi, people claiming links to the underworld repeatedly demanded money from him. He alleged they believed he was responsible for the losses suffered by illegal bookmakers after major IPL-related decisions.
5. Multiple Attempts Were Allegedly Made On His Life
Modi claimed he was the target of several assassination plots across different countries. He alleged security agencies in multiple jurisdictions warned him about threats and helped foil potential attacks.
6. His Family Was Also Allegedly Under Threat
The former IPL chief went a step further by claiming that even his family was not spared. He alleged there was an attempt to target his son, adding that the threats extended beyond him personally.
7. Dawood Was One Of The Biggest Reasons He Quit Cricket
In perhaps his most striking statement, Modi said fear generated by Dawood’s network played a major role in his decision to walk away from cricket administration altogether. He suggested that leaving the sport was the only way to escape the pressure and threats.
Why These Claims Matter
Lalit Modi is not just another former cricket administrator. He is the architect of the IPL, a tournament now worth billions of dollars and watched by hundreds of millions globally. His allegations, if proven true, would raise serious questions about the extent to which organised crime attempted to infiltrate cricket’s biggest cash machine.
However, it is important to note that these are allegations made by Modi and have not been independently verified. No court has established the claims, and there has been no official response from Dawood Ibrahim or individuals allegedly linked to him.
Still, the interview has once again revived one of the most enduring questions in Indian cricket: How close did the underworld come to getting inside the IPL?