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‘ODI Should Die’: Lalit Modi Gives IPL-Style Plan To ‘Save’ Test Cricket

Published

3 hours ago

4 June 2026

Archetype of the modern T20 revolution and former Indian Premier League (IPL) Chairman Lalit Modi has issued a stark ultimatum regarding the survival of cricket’s longest format. He warned that traditional, bilateral red-ball series are on an absolute path to extinction unless radical commercial interventions are introduced to recapture global audiences. Speaking to ANI in London, the 62-year-old sports administrator argued that franchise-driven models are no longer just an alternative, but the necessary lifeline needed to subsidise and sustain Test cricket’s heritage.

“I am saying that Test matches on bilateral will die,” Lalit Modi stated bluntly. “The next prediction of mine is that now they should allow IPL-type (T20-type) Test matches. The next thing that they should be doing is for Test matches to come in.”

Lalit Modi’s blueprint for the future of international cricket requires a ruthless pruning of the calendar, specifically identifying One-Day Internationals (ODIs) as obsolete dead weight.

“One-Day (ODI) should die. The test should survive. Test is a very important part,” he insisted.

Lalit Modi acknowledged that red-ball cricket cannot compete financially with short-form leagues, but argued that sustainability lies in franchise corporate backing rather than government boards.

“Unfortunately, (Test cricket) will die if it’s not taken over by club cricket because of no viewership on a global level. So it will be a loss leader. I’m not saying everything has to make money… You don’t have to have profit in everything. You’ve got to do something for the game too.”

Lalit Modi’s warning lands at a time when the traditional cricket calendar is facing unprecedented squeeze from franchise leagues and ICC events.

The structural vulnerabilities of the five-day game were fully exposed earlier this year when a massive 124-day lull separated the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney from the subsequent Pakistan-Bangladesh series, a competitive gap almost mirroring the historic shutdowns seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This prolonged red-ball drought was primarily driven by scheduling conflicts with the IPL 2026 season and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, underscoring franchise cricket’s absolute dominance over prime broadcast windows.

To bridge the generational gap, Lalit Modi reiterated his highly debated proposal, previously floated on The Overlap Podcast alongside former England captain Michael Vaughan, to merge IPL fan loyalty with the red-ball game.

“Let the IPL teams own Test cricket teams,” Lalit Modi explained. “You got the youngsters, you got the loyalty factors… At least play one [exhibition] in a season between each other just to get their youngsters back into the game. That’s going to be like club cricket. You have club cricket in everything, but the primary has to be country versus country.”

For the World Championship format, he proposed a strict, premier country-vs-country format played globally every year to preserve national pride and elite athletic standards. For IPL owners, he proposed field-independent Test squads for limited windows to engage younger, digital-first audiences by leveraging T20 club loyalties.

Lalit Modi also proposed shifting five-day Tests to four-day, day-night matches to counter declining stadium attendance and align with modern media consumption habits.

“The only way Test cricket will work, somebody’s going to shoot me for saying this. First time I’m saying this. Let the IPL teams own Test cricket teams. You got the youngsters, you got the loyalty factors. You play your country versus country, without doubt, that’s premier. I’m saying you have it as a world championship that goes around the world every year, you play those without doubt, but also so that it doesn’t disappear, you have exhibition matches starting off with it–teams playing test cricket. At least play one in a season against each other just to get their youngsters back into the game. That’s going to be like club cricket. You have club cricket in everything. But the primary has to be country versus country,” Lalit Modi had said.

He reminded administrators that modern audiences simply lack the luxury or patience to watch five days of cricket under the sun when global sport is available on demand, emphasising that the “hook” of the game must change if it intends to survive.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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The J.J. McCarthy Rumor Mill Takes a Chill Pill

Published

9 minutes ago

4 June 2026

NewsAdmin

J.J. McCarthy throws passes during warmups before a Vikings game at U.S. Bank Stadium. — Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) throws passes during pregame warmups before a matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium. On Oct. 19, 2025, in Minneapolis, McCarthy went through his routine throwing session as fans and media closely monitored the young quarterback ahead of kickoff against one of the NFC’s top contenders. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Just because the Minnesota Vikings appear to be on track for a Kyler Murray season at QB1 does not mean that J.J. McCarthy will be on the trade block.

That’s the message from The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis this week, as McCarthy trade rumors have swirled in recent days after some thought McCarthy sounded disgruntled at Vikings organized team activities. Minnesota controls McCarthy’s contract through the end of 2027 — and 2028 if it exercises his fifth-year option.

Vikings Should Keep the Two QBs in the Picture

J.J. McCarthy warms up before a preseason game against the Houston Texans. — Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) goes through warmups before a preseason matchup against the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium. On Aug. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, McCarthy prepared for another opportunity to lead Minnesota’s offense as anticipation continued to build around the young passer entering his first season as QB1. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

McCarthy Trade Theories Dialed Back

Plugged into the Vikings more than most, Lewis said this week, “My conversations with people internally have not been about trade. They have not been about those comments. They have been about wanting to maximize every single day in the field and making sure that happens. The chips will fall how the chips will fall.”

And truth be told, the comments make a lot more sense than Minnesota being in a big hurry to trade the quarterback they once viewed as their franchise guy.

How They Started in the First Place

The moment Murray signed in Minnesota three months ago, a McCarthy trade rumor mill grew legs, at least little ones. Because NFL media and fans lack patience for a quarterback’s development, they interpreted Murray’s signing as a cue that McCarthy could be on the way out.

Instead, the Vikings’ brass has said every step of the way that it still believes in McCarthy and is willing to be patient with his maturation.

J.J. McCarthy plays in his first NFL preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders. — Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy participates in his first NFL preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium. In August 2024, McCarthy made his highly anticipated debut before suffering a season-ending meniscus injury, delaying his development until returning to claim Minnesota’s starting quarterback role in 2025. Mandatory Credit: YouTube

The wildcard is McCarthy’s mindset. If he expressed discontent — telling the Vikings he wanted to be traded — their hands could be tied. Last week, McCarthy spoke to reporters and compared Murray’s arrival and his role on the team as “two guys in high school” on the other side of the room. Those comments only intensified the trade fodder, and here we are.

Just Keep the Murray + McCarthy Setup

In 2025, the Vikings faced a critical decision regarding their quarterback. They had several options: Sam Darnold, who had just led them to a 14-3 season before a late-season collapse; Daniel Jones, a potential challenger for the starting role; or the tempting veteran, Aaron Rodgers. Alternatively, they could have opted for a more gradual approach with McCarthy, allowing him a gentle transition into his first year as a starter.

The Vikings bypassed all these possibilities. They committed solely to McCarthy, hoping for the best. The gamble proved unsuccessful. Minnesota missed the playoffs, McCarthy failed to establish himself as the long-term solution, and by February 2026, the team was still without a solid answer at quarterback.

That’s when Murray’s arrival became a game-changer. He provides the Vikings with something they lacked last year: a genuine backup plan. While McCarthy can still earn the starting job, so can Murray. Minnesota no longer has to stake its entire season on the development of a single young quarterback.

With both players, the likelihood of securing a stable QB1 appears quite higher than it did during last year’s all-in bet on McCarthy.

J.J. McCarthy and Kevin O'Connell celebrate on the sideline during a Vikings game. — Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) exchanges congratulations with head coach Kevin O’Connell after a made field goal against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. On Dec. 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas, McCarthy and O’Connell shared a moment on the sideline as Minnesota battled for positioning during the season’s final stretch. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

ESPN’s Kevin Seifert noted last week from OTAs, “Murray made all of the best throws of the practice, demonstrating his downfield touch and accuracy. Nothing McCarthy did was objectionable, and one of his few incompletions — a pass to the flat that cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. nearly intercepted — occurred when two receivers drifted far too close to each other.”

“And while McCarthy’s post-practice comments about their relationship delivered headlines, it was Murray who might have said the most notable four words of the afternoon: ‘My confidence is unshakeable.’”

As an Endgame, Which Teams Might Want McCarthy

Pretend momentarily that McCarthy does fuss and demand a trade. If that happened this summer, he might be looking at a shortlist like this of suitors:

Arizona Cardinals
Cleveland Browns
Indianapolis Colts
Los Angeles Chargers
Miami Dolphins
New York Jets
Pittsburgh Steelers
Philadelphia Eagles
Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Ironically, the Cardinals — Murray’s former employer — might make the most sense if Arizona cannot resolve its current and befuddling holdout ordeal with Jacoby Brissett.

Sportsnaut‘s Andrew Buller-Russ noted on the Steelers as a McCarthy trade destination last week, “The Pittsburgh Steelers have a 42-year-old starting quarterback. Eventually, they need to plan for a future after Aaron Rodgers.”

“The Steelers do have a pair of developmental options in 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard, plus third-round rookie Drew Allar. Between the two, there could be a future starter in there, but adding a former first-round pick with a winning pedigree can’t hurt either.”

On the whole, though, expect the Vikings to keep McCarthy. There is no real upside to trading him, especially since two of the last three Vikings seasons have been sullied by quarterback injuries. Minnesota needs the quarterback depth.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

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Detdet Pepito reunites with Bella Belen at Capital1

Published

22 minutes ago

4 June 2026

NewsAdmin

Capital1 selects Detdet Pepito with the second pick in the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft. –PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Bella Belen wasted no time welcoming childhood friend Detdet Pepito to Capital1, even joking that the prized rookie libero would have to find a different jersey number.

Moments after the Solar Spikers selected Pepito with the second overall pick in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League Rookie Draft on Wednesday night at Novotel, Belen playfully reminded her new teammate that No. 4 already belongs to her.

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“I’m not giving it up. I’m No. 4,” Belen said in Filipino with a laugh. “If she wants No. 4 too, she can wear 04 or 44. This is my number already. Det, bahala ka na sa buhay mo.”

The lighthearted exchange highlighted the excitement surrounding Capital1’s revamped roster as Belen teams up with former college rival Pepito for the first time since elementary school, aside from their stint in the national team pool during the pandemic.

Kidding aside, Belen knows exactly what the University of Santo Tomas captain brings to the table.

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Detdet Pepito 2026 PVL Rookie Draft Capital1

Capital1 selects Detdet Pepito with the second pick in the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft.–PVL PHOTO

“I’m happy because I know what Detdet is capable of, and I know she can help our team a lot. The last time we were teammates was back in elementary school — well, aside from the national team during the post-pandemic period. It’s nice that we’ve been given another opportunity to play together again,” said Belen, who was recently crowned as Rookie of the Year.

When her name was called, Pepito immediately thought of her reunion with Belen and UST teammate Pia Abbu.

“While I was walking on the red carpet, I kept looking at Bella. It brought back a lot of memories because we’ve been teammates since elementary school. Now that I’m in the PVL, I get to be teammates with her again, along with Pia Abbu. I’m really happy and excited because I know I’ll learn a lot from them,” Pepito said.

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“I’m super happy and grateful. During my final playing year at UST, this was one of the things I worked hard for and dedicated my performances toward. So it means a lot,” she added.

Detdet Pepito on joining Bella Belen and Capital1. #PVLDraft #PVL2026 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ
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Pepito will join Roma Mae Doromal and Rachel Jorvina in defending the floor for the Solar Spikers, who are now led by Belen and MVPs Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos.

The two-time UAAP Best Libero is putting a premium on teamwork as she looks to help Capital1 continue its rise in the PVL.

“I think the first step is to slowly build chemistry with my new teammates and adapt to the system they already have. Of course, we’ll dream big. Hopefully, a championship can eventually come our way as well,” said Pepito.

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For Belen, it’s simply another manifestation coming true after jokingly recruiting players during the All-Star Game and even after Pepito’s final UAAP appearance.

Now, she finally gets to play alongside one of the teammates she had long wished for.

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