Former Indian Premier League chief Lalit Modi, during his interview with Wisden’s podcast, named the scoop as repeating India’s importance to the global cricket arena. TheBoard of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) holds a huge clout over the International Cricket Council. In fact, it is the Indian board that brings in the maximum revenue, and their net worth is even higher than the ICC’s.

When asked about the Future Tours Program (FTP) during the podcast, the former IPL chief said, “There is no FTP or cricket anywhere in the world without India in it. There could be some amount of money in England and Australia, but others depend on India. For example, England dominates the May to September calendar because the conditions are ripe for cricket. Similarly, the Indian season is from October to February.”

Further stating India’s importance in the global cricket market, Mr Modi said, “Every team wants to play India because it brings in a lot of money.” The 62-year-old also stated that the Indian team doesn’t have to put out its strongest team for every bilateral series it plays, as it could risk player burnout.

India set for huge tour of New Zealand later this year

October to December 2026 is set to be a busy time for the Indian cricket team as they will tour New Zealand. The schedule announced on Wednesday will see the visiting side play 5 T20I games as well as five ODI matches and two Test matches. Shubman Gill and his side will be playing a five-match ODI series after seven years.

Last time the Indian cricket team played this many 50-over games in a series was against Australia in 2019. The New Zealand Cricket put out a statement which read “The New Zealand government will be supporting the inbound India tour alongside adjacent sporting tours by India later in the year, as 100 years of sporting ties between New Zealand and India are commemorated.”

ESPN Cricinfo quoted Glenn Critchley the marketing and commercial officer with New Zealand cricket as saying, “It simply doesn’t get bigger than India and we’re determined to deliver New Zealanders a tour like no other, This will be about more than just the cricket on the field – it will be a celebration of New Zealand’s shared history and culture with India, and our burgeoning rivalry and friendship through cricket”

Critchley also added, “The passion and the following this team has is staggering – not to mention some of the players expected to tour, such as Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah – so we’re bracing for the intensity and fandom that will accompany the tour.”