IPL founder Lalit Modi has rejected suggestions that The Hundred could evolve into a UK version of the Indian Premier League, responding sharply to comments made by Kevin Pietersen on social media.

The latest exchange comes days after Modi predicted that The Hundred could struggle to survive in the long run, a remark that drew criticism from sections of the English cricket fraternity. Pietersen disagreed with that assessment and said the tournament would adapt rather than fade away.

“It’ll just be the UK’s version of the IPL. Format will change to T20,” Pietersen wrote on X while replying to a fan. Modi responded with a detailed rebuttal, stating that comparisons with the IPL were misplaced. “Not in this lifetime will ANY T20 tournament be like the IPL my friend,” Modi said.

He went on to outline why he believes the UK does not have the ecosystem required to sustain a league on the IPL’s scale. Modi pointed out that cricket is not the leading sport in England, where football dominates, followed by rugby, racing, tennis and darts. He added that the absence of a large and deeply engaged fan base, along with a smaller population, limits the commercial ceiling of any franchise tournament in the country.

Modi also flagged the lack of Indian players in overseas leagues as a key factor. Indian cricketers do not participate in foreign T20 competitions, which he said restricts global appeal and commercial growth.

He further noted that the structure of English cricket, with 18 counties, would make it difficult to organise a full home and away T20 league. According to Modi, the calendar does not allow for an extended tournament of that scale, nor is there consistent crowd support to sustain it.

While The Hundred has attracted significant investment, including interest from IPL franchise owners in several teams, Modi said financial backing alone would not bridge the gap.

He added that the tournament’s realistic ceiling would be comparable to other smaller T20 leagues, suggesting that it could at best follow the model seen in South Africa. Modi also underlined that bilateral cricket will remain central to the England and Wales Cricket Board’s revenues.

The debate reflects differing views on the future of franchise cricket in England. Pietersen has backed The Hundred to evolve into a more conventional format, but Modi remains firm that the IPL’s scale and influence cannot be replicated in the UK.

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