Lalit Modi planning T20 league 'RPL' with International stars in Rajasthan
Lalit Modi, who played an instrumental role in lauching the Indian Premier League is reportedly mooting another T20 league, this time in Rajasthan, titled the Rajasthan Premier League (RPL). As reported by The Indian Express, the RPL is supposedly going to involve domestic cricketers from Rajasthan along with recently retired cricketers from around the world.
While a number of other states in India, including Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu are also looking at having their own T20 leagues, the RPL is the most promising given the fact that international cricketers are set to join the roster of players. Lalit Modi who was the Chairman of the IPL from 2008 – 2010, is currently the President of the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) and he has the expertise and experience to put together such a show.
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RCA’s secretary Sumendra Tiwary had confirmed that a T20 league is in the plans, also confirming Lalit Modi’s participation in the conception of the league. “It’s in the planning stage and though nothing has been finalised yet, we will decide soon whether to have a T20 league or not. The talks are on. “He (Modi) is part of it; after all he is the president of RCA. “Tournament acha he hoga, it will good exposure for the boys. We (RCA) have always welcomed experiments. We are conducting a pink ball four-day game in Rajasthan now, the second association to do it after Bengal. I and Modi are keen to have such kind of innovative ideas. After all having T20 games will give more exposure to the boys.” Tiwary had said to The Indian Express.
The biggest roadblock for the RCA comes in form of the BCCI who would have to give their blessing to the league in form of a No Objection Certificate (NBC). BCCI’s rules explicity state that any state hosting a T20 league would require permission from the BCCI for the same. Further, the rules state that only players from the respective state can participate in their own T20 leauge. Given Lalit Modi’s ban from Indian cricket issued by the board there are sure to be problems ahead of the league becoming a reality.