‘Stop this, you’re killing players’: Lalit Modi slams BCCI over ‘outrageous’ scheduling, says 'you don’t need the money'

Lalit Modi blasted the BCCI for ‘overworking’ players and urged the Indian board to focus on welfare over revenue

Updated on: Apr 23, 2026, 16:11:11 IST

Written by Aratrick Mondal

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Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi unleashed a scathing attack on the Board of Control for Cricket in India on Thursday, accusing the board of “overworking” players and prioritising revenue over their welfare. His remarks came in response to reports that India head coach Gautam Gambhir is unhappy with the packed schedule, with a one-off Test against Afghanistan slated immediately after IPL 2026.

Lalit Modi hit out at BCCI over player workload concerns

The IPL season is set to conclude on May 31, after which several players will have to report straight to the national camp, with the Test against Afghanistan beginning on June 6. India are also scheduled to play three ODIs against Afghanistan, followed by white-ball tours of Ireland and England — leaving virtually no recovery window for players.

With such a tight turnaround, selectors could be forced to rely on reserve players for the Test, which does not fall within the World Test Championship cycle.

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Reacting to the situation, Modi lashed out at the BCCI, accusing the board of treating players like “mules.”

“The BCCI is killing its players with the hectic scheduling. Guys, stop this outrageous scheduling you are putting the boys through. They need time with their families and some time off. You do not need the money,” he said.

Modi further argued that the board should now prioritise player welfare over financial gains, pointing out that the IPL has already secured long-term financial stability.

“I created annuity revenue that the world envies. You will never have to worry about that while sitting in those chairs. Do something good with your decisions, for heaven’s sake. The welfare of the players is paramount. Do not overwork them,” he added.

This is not the first time workload management has come under scrutiny. India have often scheduled international fixtures immediately after IPL seasons, drawing criticism from experts. Some have even urged players to take the initiative by stepping away from franchise duties early to prepare for national assignments.

Earlier, India Test captain Shubman Gill also highlighted the issue, stressing the lack of adequate preparation time before red-ball assignments and calling for at least two weeks of camp ahead of a Test series.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aratrick Mondal
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.Read More

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