Kevin Pietersen rejects Lalit Modi’s The Hundred prediction but foresees format change with ‘UK’s version of IPL’ claim

Kevin Pietersen feels that The Hundred will evolve in the UK's version of the Indian Premier League and will be played in the T20 format.

Updated on: Apr 18, 2026, 16:02:29 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

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Kevin Pietersen rejected Lalit Modi's prediction that The Hundred would become a T20 competition in the future. In an interview with Overlap Cricket, the IPL founder questioned the long-term survival of The Hundred, England's 100-ball franchise cricket competition. Modi predicted that the tournament had structural and commercial limitations and would die in three years.

Kevin Pietersen makes a lot of sense. (Vipin Kumar)

Modi also criticised the lack of marketing and promotion for the tournament and revealed that the tournament is not making any money either. He also slammed the tournament's format, noting that the 100-ball structure makes it unrelatable to fans.

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‘The Hundred won’t die in three years': Kevin Pietersen

Taking to X, Pietersen stated, “The Hundred won't die in 3yrs, it'll be a T20 comp within 3yrs.”

Reacting to a fan's comment on his post, Pietersen further added, "It'll just be the UK's version of the IPL. Format will change to T20."

The Hundred is organised by the ECB and its first edition was in 2021. The 2026 edition will begin on July 21.

What did Lalit Modi say?

Speaking to Michael Vaughan on the Overlap Cricket podcast, Modi made a dire prediction and also pointed out the UK's viewership demographics. He said, "It’ll die in three years. Completely die. It’ll be finished. It won’t be there. I guarantee it. In three to four years, it won't exist. It’ll pump so much money into it that there will be no future. I’ll give you the simple reasoning: it’s in the month of August. Great window, that’s all you have. There’s no promotion or marketing behind it. Sky has no reason to promote it. There is no money coming into the game. At the end of the day, the people who bought the teams are expecting a return on their investment. The return comes from media rights and nothing else."

"Would you buy a Sky package just for The Hundred, for one month? The UK is not an advertisement-driven market. The UK market is the best in the world for subscription revenue. That is Sky Television's model. Its model is subscriber-based.

"People fight for the cricket package, but only when the Ashes are on or when India comes to play. That’s spread over four or five months. You have a one-month window to put The Hundred. You’re buying a cricket package, which is already diminishing," he also added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

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