Dynasty politics comes to cricket bodies as Lalit Modi’s son rises

Dynasties are quite common in Indian politics but rare in sports federations. But it’s surprising that despite heavy presence of politicians, sports bodies have yet not turned into family fiefdom.

Who knows for how long?

A beginning has been made. At least the most popular game in the country may see a “son-rise” in the West. And the trendsetter is none other than the man who is often being credited for changing the face of Indian cricket with the invention of the Indian Premier League, Lalit Modi.

If his plan works out, his 22-year-old son Ruchir Modi would replace him as president of Rajasthan Cricket Association later this month.

In a clear indication of former IPL commissioner Mr Lalit passing on the baton to his son, Mr Ruchir declared in an interview that his father has ended all ties with cricket and he (Mr Ruchir) would now work with everyone’s cooperation.

Showing similar traits as his dad, Mr Ruchir has already been talking and behaving as the man at the helm. For example, he said in the interview, “I hope my efforts work and I can do for the RCA what I have thought.”

In response to another question, Mr Ruchir said, “I have heard district associations and instructed my team to resolve their problems.”

These statements sound more like of an incumbent president than an aspiring one.

A fortnight ago, he called a meeting of the office-bearers of the district cricket association where he gave a presentation of his plans for development of Rajasthan cricket. He met the family members of coach Abdul Saeed, who died recently, and announced pension for them.

Surely, he is aware of his commanding position in the RCA being Mr Lalit’s son. Other RCA members also treat him accordingly.  

Which other district cricket association president can do all these things?

The election has been called early — a year before the current executive completes its full term. In less than a fortnight, it would be clear if after a gap of 14 years, Rajasthan cricket will see another dynasty taking over.

Interestingly, Mr Lalit in an interview to a news channel said that he and his wife wanted Mr Ruchir to lose the election. But just as in politics, things cannot be taken on face value in sports either. In fact meticulous planning began several months ago.

In July 2016, Mr Ruchir paid a surprise visit to RCA headquarters, triggering rumours that his father wanted to hand over the reins to his son. At that time, Mr Lalit had dismissed the reports.

Mr Ruchir himself had tweeted a denial. But a month later, Mr Ruchir quietly became president of the Alwar district cricket association. Since then there has been a concerted effort to prepare the ground for his smooth accession to the throne.

Opponent district associations were not just provided artificial pitches but their children were also given a place in Ranji as well as junior teams. The RCA secretary, a Mr Modi loyalist, personally facilitated office-bearers of all district cricket associations.

Further paving the way for Mr Ruchir in January this year, the RCA amended its constitution, doing away with requirement of a domicile and being a member of a district cricket association for at least four years to be able to contest the election.

Since Mr Lalit himself now stands ineligible to run for president following the Lodha panel regulations, which include a three-year cooling-off period, the new amendments were perceived to be a ploy by the former self-exiled IPL boss to rule by proxy.  

Having Mr Ruchir run the RCA will not only allow Mr Modi to pull strings indirectly, but also give back his association their voting rights in the BCCI.

Mr Ruchir rejects these allegations, saying he was not proxy for his father and he has his own vision for Rajasthan cricket. At the moment, he seems to have a clear path before him as there is no word from the opposition camp about his challenger.

However, a senior office-bearer said he is not going to win unopposed. “There will be a contest for sure, but without a political heavyweight in the fray things won’t be difficult for Ruchir,” said the official who did not want to be identified since the matter is private.

Still, if and when Mr Ruchir becomes president, Rajasthan cricket will complete a full circle. Twelve years after Mr Lalit dislodged the Rungta family’s uninterrupted rule of nearly five decades, there will now be a new dynasty in Rajasthan cricket — run from London.