Bangalore franchise was not Mallya’s first choice – Lalit Modi

Lalit Modi on Vijay Mallya's IPL Journey

Lalit Modi revealed that Vijay Mallya's first choice was the Mumbai franchise, but he lost it by just $200,000 in the auction. Mallya eventually got Bangalore (now Bengaluru), which is his birth city, home city, and where he came from.

Virat Kohli was not Delhi's first choice

Modi also revealed that Virat Kohli was not the first choice for the Delhi franchise (then Delhi Daredevils). Delhi had the first pick, but they didn't select Kohli. Vijay Mallya had the foresight to pick him, and Kohli made it his home base.

IPL's Success and Indian Players

Modi debunked the notion that foreign boards could lure Indian players by onboarding IPL owners in their T20 leagues. He emphasized that an IPL Indian player will only play in the IPL and no other league, as it's enshrined in the IPL franchise contract.