New Delhi. Indian Premier League (IPL) founder and former chairman Lalit Modi, who is absconding from India, has got British citizenship. He confirmed becoming a British citizen on 15 September 2026. He revealed the decision during an address at the Oxford Union on Saturday, 14 November, describing it as the beginning of a new chapter in his life.
Lalit Modi also shared the information about getting British citizenship on social media platform X. He said that he was granted British citizenship in a special ceremony held on September 15 in the presence of family and friends. According to him, Britain has been his home for many years and he has deep respect for its people, institutions, traditions and values.
He wrote in his post, “Becoming a British citizen is both an honor and a responsibility for me. I accept it with pride, gratitude and a sense of belonging.”
Lalit Modi said that his life has passed through different cultures and experiences. Now he wants to make a positive contribution to the country he proudly calls home. On this occasion, he also expressed his gratitude towards his family, friends and Oxford Union.
🇬🇧 A PROUD MOMENT. A NEW CHAPTER.
Today, 14 November 2026, I had the honor of addressing the Oxford Union, where I publicly shared a very special and personal milestone.
I AM PROUD TO BE A BRITISH CITIZEN. 🇬🇧
On 15 September 2026, surrounded by family and friends, I… pic.twitter.com/BKMyxegKkj
— Lalit Kumar Modi (@LalitKModi) November 14, 2026
He also said that the announcement of getting British citizenship was special for him because it happened on the occasion of the birthday of Britain's King Charles III. At the end of his post he expressed his respect towards the British royal family by writing 'God Save the King'.
Lalit Modi was surrounded by controversies after the start of IPL.
Lalit Modi is credited with starting the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the year 2008 and establishing it among the major cricket tournaments in the world. IPL created a new identity in cricket by combining business model with sports and entertainment. Lalit Modi took over the responsibility of chairman and commissioner of the league in its initial phase.
However, just a few years after the start of IPL, he got embroiled in many controversies. In 2010, he left India and moved to Britain amid the investigation into alleged financial irregularities related to the league. Since then he has been living in London. Now after getting British citizenship, he has declared UK as his home and expressed his desire to make a positive contribution there.