Lalit Modi Reveals Controversial Call from Shashi Tharoor Over IPL Franchise Issues

In a shocking revelation, Lalit Modi, the former IPL Chairman, disclosed a phone call from Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who allegedly warned him against questioning the late Sunanda Pushkar's involvement in the Kochi franchise. Modi's refusal to sign the franchise agreement due to concerns over financial discrepancies led to a significant standoff. He expressed his surprise at the lack of transparency regarding Pushkar's role and the questionable equity structure of the consortium. This article delves into the details of their conversation and the subsequent fallout, including Tharoor's resignation amid the controversy.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 4, 2026, 08:42 IST

Controversial Phone Call Unveiled

In a recent revelation, Lalit Modi, the former Chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL), disclosed that he received a call from Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. Tharoor allegedly urged Modi not to inquire about his late wife, Sunanda Pushkar, during a dispute concerning the Kochi consortium's questionable equity structure linked to Pushkar.

During an interview, Modi claimed that Tharoor warned him of potential government repercussions if he continued with his inquiries. Modi stated that he dismissed the warning, ended the conversation, and refused to endorse the agreement in question.

Modi recounted, "I received a call from Shashi Tharoor, who said, 'Lalit, don’t bring up Sunanda Pushkar. She is a good friend of mine.' When I asked why, he threatened me with a raid if I proceeded. I responded, 'Who do you think you are? You may hold a ministerial position, but you cannot intimidate me.' I hung up and decided against signing the document."

The Standoff and Financial Concerns

The tension escalated during a late-night meeting in Bengaluru, where Modi insisted on transparency regarding the identities of the shadow shareholders before signing the franchise agreement.

Modi admitted he was unfamiliar with Sunanda Pushkar, asking consortium members about her identity. One member described her as the daughter of an automobile dealer and a notable marketing figure. Modi expressed his surprise, stating, "I’m a marketing professional in India, and I don’t know who she is."

The conflict arose from Modi's refusal to ignore what he deemed a flawed financial model presented by the Kochi consortium, which had won the expansion team with a staggering $350 million bid. He noted that the financial structure indicated a looming collapse.

Concerns Over Share Distribution

Modi questioned the rationale behind granting 25% shares to Sunanda Pushkar, asking consortium members, "Who is she?" He highlighted the disparity in share value, stating, "For her 10-rupee share, it was worth 1 lakh rupees on the day she acquired the team, while others' shares were practically worthless. I foresaw this collapse, and indeed, it happened two years later."

He also mentioned that he permitted the Kochi franchise to enter the IPL bidding process despite the absence of a stadium in Kerala, attributing this decision to Tharoor's persuasive charm. "Tharoor was quite the smooth talker, and I fell for it," Modi remarked.

The Kochi franchise was ultimately terminated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2011, having participated in only one IPL season, where they finished eighth out of ten teams.

Tharoor's Resignation

Following the controversy in April 2010, Tharoor resigned from his position as Minister of State for External Affairs in 2010.