Who among the following was the founder and the first Chairman and Commissioner of the Indian Premier League (IPL)?

Lalit Modi

The correct answer is Option (3) - Lalit Modi

Lalit Modi is widely recognized as the founder and the driving force behind the Indian Premier League (IPL), which is one of the most popular and lucrative professional Twenty20 cricket leagues in the world.

Lalit Modi conceptualized and founded the IPL in 2008. He envisioned a franchise-based cricket tournament that would combine the excitement of Twenty20 cricket with elements of entertainment, glamour, and commercialization. Lalit Modi served as the first Chairman and Commissioner of the IPL. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing the league's operations, including franchise auctions, player contracts, scheduling matches, and negotiating broadcast rights deals.

Under Lalit Modi's leadership, the IPL introduced several innovations to cricket, including the concept of city-based franchises, player auctions, cheerleaders, and strategic time-outs. He also spearheaded aggressive marketing and promotion campaigns to attract fans, sponsors, and broadcasters to the league. Lalit Modi's business acumen and vision played a crucial role in making the IPL a commercial success. The league quickly became one of the most-watched cricket tournaments globally, attracting top international players and securing lucrative sponsorship and broadcasting deals.

Despite his contributions to the IPL's success, Lalit Modi's tenure as Chairman and Commissioner was marred by controversies, including allegations of financial irregularities, conflicts of interest, and corruption. He was eventually suspended and later banned for life by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) following an internal inquiry. Despite his controversial exit from the IPL, Lalit Modi's impact on the cricketing landscape cannot be ignored. The IPL revolutionized the way cricket is played, watched, and commercialized, paving the way for the growth of franchise-based leagues in other sports and inspiring similar tournaments around the world.

Overall, Lalit Modi's role as the founder and first Chairman and Commissioner of the IPL was instrumental in shaping the league into a global sporting phenomenon and significantly elevating the profile of Indian cricket on the international stage.