Indian Premier League (IPL) founder Lalit Modi has come out in strong defence of players facing criticism over their price tags and inconsistent performances, saying public perception is often skewed by social media narratives rather than cricketing realities.
In a pointed remark, Modi said, “Social media judges price. Cricket judges performance,” underlining the growing tendency to evaluate players based on their auction value rather than their on-field role and contribution.
He dismissed the idea that a dip in form over a season or two should be seen as failure or poor investment. “One good season, one average season — that’s not a fraud. That’s a player still being understood,” he wrote, suggesting that adaptation in a competitive league like the IPL takes time.
Modi also shifted the focus towards team management, arguing that franchises bear responsibility for maximising player output. “The issue isn’t price. The issue is clarity of role. In the IPL, players don’t fail — teams fail to define them,” he added.
His comments come amid heightened scrutiny of several high-priced players in the ongoing season, with fans and analysts questioning returns on investment following the auction.
Modi’s remarks highlight a broader debate within franchise cricket — whether performance should be judged in isolation or in the context of team strategy, role clarity and long-term planning.
