Currently, cricket stands as the second most popular sport globally, trailing only behind football. The 2019 Classical Cricket World Cup witnessed a staggering 1.6 billion viewers, with the 2016 T20 Championship drawing in a remarkable 820 million viewers in India alone. Enthusiasts from countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Australia, South Africa, and various others, once part of the British colonial empire, are fervent followers of the sport.
Yet, it’s in India that cricket commands the most significant fan base. Fans immerse themselves in the games with a profound sense of attention and passion, making betting on IPL Bettilt a favorite pastime. In unraveling the tale of how cricket captured the hearts of Indians, let’s explore its historical journey and understand why it continues to be an enduring phenomenon.
The Origins of Cricket in India
To grasp the essence of cricket’s evolution in India, a brief introduction to the sport is necessary. Played on an oval field by two teams of 11 players each, the game involves attempting to knock down three sticks with a ball, while the opposing team aims to defend using a bat. Cricket’s intricate rules and tactics can be daunting for outsiders, especially considering that test matches can extend for five days. The 21st-century T20 format, with games lasting up to 3.5 hours, introduced a more dynamic style of play.
Before becoming the national sport of England, cricket in its current form began in the 16th and 17th centuries there. After that, the British brought the game to their colonies; in fact, British sailors are said to have played cricket in India as early as 1721. An important milestone was the establishment of the first cricket club in Calcutta in 1792, even though at first, only Europeans were permitted to join.
The inhabitants eventually became interested in the game, especially the Parsis, who are descended from Iranian immigrants who follow Zoroastrianism. In 1848, the Parsis, who served as middlemen in trade and assimilated into European culture, founded Bombay’s first cricket club. There were thirty of these clubs within the course of the following 20 years. The Parsi bourgeoisie used cricket as a way to build relationships with the colonial authorities.
The game gained popularity due to factors related to religion and culture. In Bombay, the Muslims and Hindus both took to cricket, refusing to bow to the Parsis. The city had multiple clubs by the end of the century that represented various ethnic and religious groups.
Religious and cultural dynamics further fueled the game’s spread. The Hindus, not wanting to yield to the Parsis, embraced cricket in Bombay, followed by the Muslims. By the end of the century, the city boasted several clubs representing diverse ethno-religious communities.
The Evolution of Cricket in India
Initially, the English ridiculed the local population’s attempts to play the “gentleman’s game,” including their attire and equipment. However, attitudes shifted as the Indians gradually improved their skills. The Parsis, in the 1880s, even hired English player Robert Henderson as their coach.
Cricket in India was not just about sport; it became a tool for cultural exchange between the colonizers and the colonized. In 1877, Bombay witnessed a competition between European and Parsi teams, followed by an annual tournament in the 1890s featuring Parsi, Hindu, and Muslim teams from across India. The Bombay Quadrangle, initiated in 1907, with the addition of Muslim teams in 1912, became immensely popular, freezing life in the city during its duration.
Cricket in the Modern Era
Post-independence, the love for cricket in India not only endured but also became a symbol of national identity. Victories like the Indian team’s triumph over England in 1971 and the World Cup win in 1983 were celebrated as national triumphs. The passion extended to Pakistan, with their historic victory over India in the T20 championship in 2021.
Today, India has not only excelled in international cricket but has also transformed the sport into a multi-billion dollar industry. The Indian Premier League (IPL), inaugurated in 2008 under T20 rules, has rapidly developed, with matches attracting viewers across South Asia. Remarkably, the IPL brand was valued at $6.1 billion in 2020, and broadcasting rights were sold for $2.55 billion in 2017. Recently, the Board of Control for Cricket in India sold the rights to host two new teams for $1.6 billion.
The impact of cricket in India is exemplified by the grandeur of the world’s largest stadium, accommodating 132,000 spectators, in Ahmadabad – a venue chosen by US President Donald Trump during his visit in 2017. Cricket, once a colonial import, has undeniably become an integral part of India’s cultural fabric, uniting millions in their shared love for the game
