IPL Founder Lalit Modi Announces British Citizenship After Over a Decade in UK

Lalit Modi, the visionary behind the Indian Premier League (IPL), has officially announced that he has acquired British citizenship. The IPL founder Lalit Modi shared the news during an address at the prestigious Oxford Union on November 14, 2026, marking a personal milestone that he described as a new chapter in his life.

According to the official announcement, Modi received his citizenship on September 15, 2026. He celebrated the occasion at a private ceremony attended by his close family and friends. Modi, who has resided in the United Kingdom for many years, expressed deep admiration for the country, citing its institutions, traditions, values, and people as central reasons for his affinity toward the nation.

IPL founder Lalit Modi has officially announced that he is now a British citizen.

A New Chapter for the IPL Founder

Reflecting on his life journey, which has been shaped by diverse cultural experiences, Modi emphasized that becoming a British citizen is both a privilege and a responsibility. He stated that he embraces this new status with gratitude and a strong sense of belonging. The announcement coincided with the birthday of King Charles III, a detail Modi noted made the occasion particularly meaningful, concluding his statement with the phrase, "God Save the King!"

During his appearance at the Oxford Union, Modi expressed his desire to continue contributing positively to the United Kingdom. He extended his gratitude to his family, friends, and the institution for providing him with a platform to share the news. The former cricket administrator remains a prominent figure in global sports discussions, and this announcement marks a formal transition in his legal status after years of living abroad.

Why it matters

Lalit Modi left India in 2010 and has been based in the United Kingdom since that time. His residency in the UK has been a subject of significant public interest due to ongoing investigations in India regarding alleged financial irregularities and money laundering cases associated with his tenure at the helm of the IPL.

His acquisition of British citizenship formalizes his status in the country where he has spent the last sixteen years. For observers in India and the broader South Asian region, this development highlights the long-term shift in the life of a man who was once at the center of the country's most successful sporting enterprise.