Let Players Play For Single Owner Across Leagues: Lalit Modi Backs Kevin Pietersen’s “Wild” Super Auction Idea

The founder of the IPL warns that while a global "Super Auction" would streamline franchise cricket, it could serve as the "death nail" for bilateral series and the current world order of the sport.

Written by Abhishek Singh

Updated: April 26, 2026 08:37 IST

Two frame image shows Kevin Pietersen at left who suggested the idea of Super Auction and on right, Lalit Modi, who supported this idea.

Will there be a Super Auction where one owner owning teams of same brand in different leagues, will get the choice to pick same set of players for all their leagues? Kevin Pietersen and Lalit Modi discuss the wild idea in a X thread.

The landscape of global cricket is facing a potential seismic shift as two of the game’s most influential disruptors—Kevin Pietersen and Lalit Modi—publicly discussed a radical overhaul of the franchise system.

Following Pietersen’s call for a “SUPER AUCTION” to allow players to sign with a single owner across all global leagues, Lalit Modi has weighed in, lending his support to the concept while offering a grim prognosis for the future of international cricket.

The Vision: One Owner, One World

The debate began when Kevin Pietersen took to X (formerly Twitter) to suggest that the current fragmented franchise system is leading to player dissatisfaction.

“There needs to be a SUPER AUCTION in cricket so that players play for one owner around the world,” Pietersen posted. “I see some players who aren’t happy in some franchises as opposed to others.”

Under this model, a player signed by a group like Reliance (MI), Sanjiv Goenka (LSG), or the Knight Riders Group would represent that owner’s teams in the IPL, SA20, ILT20, and MLC, effectively creating “global clubs” similar to European football.

There needs to be a SUPER AUCTION in cricket so that players play for one owner around the world.
I see some players who aren't happy in some franchises as opposed to others.
— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) April 22, 2026

Lalit Modi’s Warning: The Death of Bilateral Cricket

Modi, the architect of the IPL, agreed that the idea is theoretically sound but warned of its “detrimental” impact on the sport’s traditional structures. While he admitted that as the founder of the IPL he “would like this idea,” he highlighted the inevitable collateral damage.

Key Takeaways from Modi’s Response:

Detriment to Non-IPL Owners: Modi noted that a global auction would consolidate power, leaving independent franchise owners (those without multiple teams across leagues) at a massive disadvantage.
The ICC’s Irlevance: He warned that ICC member boards would lose their grip on player availability, as “only IPL team owners will prevail.”
The 10-Year Horizon: Modi predicted this shift is inevitable, stating, “I am not saying that won’t happen anyway in say 7-10 years.”
The Death Nail: In his most stinging observation, Modi claimed this move would be the “death nail to bilateral cricket FOR SURE.”

That will never happen. As each league is autonomous. But it would definitely be a good idea. But it will be to the detriment of non ipl team owners. However much as founder of ipl i would like this idea. But it will be extremely detrimental to global cricket. All ICC member… https://t.co/f3japyQTBb
— Lalit Kumar Modi (@LalitKModi) April 23, 2026

The Current Reality: The “Super Auction” has Already Started

While a formal “Super Auction” doesn’t exist yet, the world is moving in that direction.

Multi-League Contracts: Players like Rashid Khan and Sunil Narine already represent the same owners (MI and KKR respectively) across different continents.
The Centralization of Power: With IPL owners now owning nearly every team in the SA20 and ILT20, the “single owner” ecosystem is already becoming a de facto reality.