Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi has once again stirred debate in cricketing circles, this time by questioning the long-term future of cricket in the United States. In a candid remark, Modi revealed that West Indies legend Chris Gayle privately told him that the sport’s prospects in the US are “dead” without the presence of global icons like Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni.
The statement comes at a time when Major League Cricket (MLC), the United States’ premier franchise T20 league, is trying to carve a niche in a saturated American sports market dominated by baseball, basketball, and American football.
Cricket’s uphill battle in the US
Despite significant investment and the participation of several international stars, cricket has struggled to capture mainstream attention in the US. According to Modi, the absence of universally recognized faces like Kohli and Dhoni makes it difficult for the sport to cut through.
“Cricket needs its superstars,” Modi asserted. “When Gayle, Kohli, or Dhoni walk onto the field, they don’t just play — they draw crowds, they create headlines, they inspire a new audience. Without that magnetism, the American dream of cricket risks fading out.”
Gayle’s blunt assessment
Chris Gayle, known as the ‘Universe Boss,’ has been one of the biggest ambassadors of T20 cricket worldwide. However, Modi claims Gayle himself doubts whether cricket can ever truly break into the US mainstream.
“Chris told me directly — it’s dead without the big names,” Modi revealed. “If the icons don’t come, the momentum won’t last. People in America don’t know the game well enough to fall in love with it without heroes to follow.”
The Kohli–Dhoni factor
Both Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni enjoy a cult-like following in India and globally. Their names are synonymous with the IPL’s rise as one of the world’s biggest sporting spectacles. However, neither has been involved in Major League Cricket so far.
Analysts believe their participation, even in an ambassadorial role, could make a seismic difference. Kohli’s aggressive charisma and Dhoni’s calm leadership are traits that transcend cricket — qualities that American sports fans traditionally admire.
Will cricket in America survive?
While MLC’s debut season in 2023 was hailed as a promising start, concerns about sustainability remain. Building grassroots infrastructure, creating local heroes, and maintaining financial backing are major hurdles. Lalit Modi’s blunt statement adds another layer of skepticism to the already challenging project.
Yet, optimists argue that cricket in the US has untapped potential, given its large South Asian and Caribbean diaspora. With consistent effort, the sport could slowly grow its footprint, even if it doesn’t immediately rival established American leagues.
Modi’s remarks — “Chris Gayle told me, it’s dead” — may sound harsh, but they highlight a fundamental truth: star power drives modern sport. For cricket to succeed in America, it may need more than just money and infrastructure. It may need the magic of icons like Kohli and Dhoni to ignite the imagination of a new fan base.
