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Lalit Modi, the founder of the Indian Premier League (IPL), is optimistic that the lucrative T20 league will expand its size twofold within the next three years. He emphasized that the future of cricket viewership is leaning towards digital platforms instead of traditional television.

Since its launch in 2008, the IPL has experienced significant growth in viewership, commercial value, and global presence, establishing itself as one of the most-watched sports leagues worldwide. In an exclusive interview, Modi stated, "Double in three years," when asked about the league's future.

The inaugural IPL season attracted millions of viewers across India, and over the years, the league has consistently broadened its audience through enhanced broadcast reach, star players, competitive franchises, and the rapid rise of digital streaming platforms. The league's popularity has surged with the widespread use of smartphones and OTT platforms, allowing fans to watch matches on the go.

Currently, the tournament draws hundreds of millions of viewers each season across both television and digital platforms, solidifying its status as one of the most valuable cricket properties globally.

In response to concerns about declining viewership, Modi noted that this trend reflects a shift in audience behavior rather than a decrease in interest. He stated, "It's going down on television. Yeah, Television is a dumb box. Everything is on your vertical. Everything is moving to OTT. We are the fastest-growing OTT country. We have a billion people who are interested in cricket. They are watching it on the go."

Modi highlighted the importance of digital consumption and pointed out that current audience measurement systems fail to accurately capture the scale of viewership on OTT platforms. He called for better metrics, saying, "The data is much better. There is no rating information on OTT right now. That needs to come out." He emphasized the need for real data on viewership patterns.

The IPL founder mentioned that the league remains a hot topic of conversation wherever he goes. When asked if people frequently discuss the IPL with him, Modi replied, "That's all they talk about. Everybody. That's all they talk about." He noted that discussions rarely revolve around other business ventures.

The IPL continues to solidify its position as a leading sporting brand globally, with ongoing growth in fan engagement, sponsorship, and digital consumption.

In the IPL 2026 final held in Ahmedabad, Royal Challengers Bengaluru successfully defended their title against Gujarat Titans, achieving a challenging target of 156 runs. This victory places RCB alongside five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) as one of the few clubs to win back-to-back IPL titles.