Rejuvenated Lalit Modi thanks Sharad Pawar for support

The former IPL boss was reinstated as the president of RCA following the withdrawal of no-confidence motion by rival Amin Pathan-faction.

New Delhi: Controversial cricket administrator Lalit Modi on Wednesday thanked former BCCI Chief Sharad Pawar for backing him.

"I am thankful to #sharadpawar for his support and kind words on my reelection back as President of #RCA - Rajasthan Cricket Association," Modi tweeted.

I am thankful to #sharadpawar for his support and kind words on my reelection back as President… https://t.co/LD1Hvu1XGf — Lalit Kumar Modi (@LalitKModi) December 16, 2015

The former IPL boss was reinstated as the president of Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) following the withdrawal of no-confidence motion by rival Amin Pathan-faction yesterday.

Pawar, who is also the president of Mumbai Cricket Association, said that "The credit for IPL’s success should go to Lalit Modi. He shouldn’t be harassed by BCCI officials who are not at helm today. I am worried that people can victimise Modi. During his tenure, he has made some enemies," in an interview to NDTV.

Modi is credited for launching the IPL in 2008, which in it's eight seasons so far has become one of the best sporting brands and in the process, helped cricket gain a global foothold.

But, Modi soon found himself in many legal wrangles for reported illegal activities and was banned by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2010.

However, in defiance of the BCCI directive he contested and won the RCA election in 2013. And with that came the banning of the state association from the Indian cricket board.

Despite the supports, and clearance, Modi and RCA will continue to serve the ban.