'Modi has given excellent business model in IPL'

Indian Premier League Chairman Lalit Modi has done a praiseworthy job by introducing the franchise-based Twenty20 event, which is proving to be an "excellent business model", feels vice-chairman of Rajasthan Royals Ranjit Barthakur.

Barthakur said that most of the franchisees were enjoying their tenure with the IPL and that it was an investment to field a team in the Twenty20 league.

"It was an investment which was difficult to define because there are egos and emotions involved. More or less it was emotional but it is an excellent business model. Lalit Modi has made it secured for future by making it a ten year deal," Barthakur said.

"Like Rajasthan Royals most of the other franchisees were making profit," he said.

Barthakur was here for a joint meeting called by the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) ahead of Rajasthan Royals three home matches on April 7th, 11th, and 14th.

"Through IPL Modi has made cricket truly international and brought in finances. You see about 60 Indian cricketers would be playing at any point of time in the tournament. More or less whole of the Indian team is active and is also getting match practice," said Barthakur.

Barthakur was one of the architects of the Wills Cricket Series both National and International in the 80's and early 90's and one of the innovators of sponsorship marketing in India. He is also the chairman of Operation Smile India focused on cleft care.

Talking about the performance of the team, he said, "I am satisfied with the way team is performing under Shane Warne's captaincy and hopefully we will do well in Jaipur which is our first home and had proved lucky for us in the first IPL."

"We have a strong base now and we are hopeful of a bright future but right now we are focusing on winning all of our remaining matches," he said.

"It has been nice to add Ahmadabad as our second home. We are unique because people have only one home but we have two. But it has helped us increasing fan base," he added.