In terms of popularity and recognition, no other sport comes close to cricket, especially in the Indian subcontinent. Besides watching cricket matches, Indian fans love indulging in activities that facilitate them to have a more immersive experience. For example, hardcore cricket fans love playing fantasy cricket, wherein they need to create teams and predict the outcomes of real-life matches. Players get the option to indulge in exciting fantasy cricket league and tournaments and win exciting rewards.
Besides playing fantasy cricket games, Indians also love playing cricket with their friends. Almost every Indian household has at least one individual who loves playing cricket and following major tournaments and leagues.
The question that now arises is – Why is cricket the most popular sport in India? To put it simply, there are numerous reasons which make cricket the most popular and loved sport in India. Here is a detailed look at them:
1. There is an Emotional Connection Between Cricket and Indians
Tons of people follow cricket, but when it comes to the country which houses hundreds of millions of ardent cricket fans, India is the name that comes to mind. This is mainly because fans feel emotionally connected to the sport. Let’s consider an example. When India lifted its first-ever World Cup in 1983 under the captaincy of Kapil Dev, the win was celebrated throughout the country like a major festival.
Similarly, when Mahendra Singh Dhoni clinched the World Cup for India in 2011 by finishing the game with a massive six, the celebrations that followed in the stadium and in different parts of the country remain unrivaled. Putting aside international cricket games, domestic tournaments like the Indian Premier League are also closely followed and watched by millions of fans. Ardent cricket fans in India celebrate when their team or player performs well and mourn or cry when their team loses a major game.
The way Indians connect with cricket is on another level. Hence, no other logic, besides having an emotional connection with the game, could be labelled as a more prominent reason why cricket is the most popular sport in India.
2. The Country has Incredible Cricket Infrastructure
India is one of the leading names when it comes to countries with top-tier cricket infrastructure. The country has tons of cricket training and coaching institutes and centers. Individuals belonging to any age group, i.e., whether they are children, teenagers, or adults, can learn and practice cricket with them.
Besides this, the country also boasts some of the most iconic cricket stadiums globally. For instance, the Eden Gardens in Kolkata has been the venue for many prestigious international as well as domestic matches over the years. Numerous leagues, tournaments, and series are held here, thanks to the presence of such stadiums.
Major cricket teams come to India to play against the Indian Cricket Team or participate in domestic tournaments like the Indian Premier League. This aspect, in turn, facilitates organizers and authoritative cricket bodies to host official matches and tournaments. Thus, Indians get to witness exciting cricket matches throughout the year, which keeps them hooked to the sport.
3. Watching Cricket is as Easy as Playing It
Another prominent reason why cricket’s popularity knows no bounds in India is that it is very convenient to watch cricket or indulge in cricket matches. When it comes to watching cricket, all significant tournaments are streamed on popular OTT platforms like Disney+ Hotstar, Amazon Prime Video, etc., or telecasted on major sports channels on TV. Hence, it is easy for most Indians to follow cricket matches and tournaments without hassle.
Similarly, playing cricket is very easy as well. All individuals need is a ball and a bat to get started. Most Indians who play cricket locally with their friends in gullies and open areas play the game without fancy equipment. Although they do not have the best equipment, the fun quotient stays the same. Moreover, cricket features simple and easy-to-follow rules, which makes it the go-to outdoor sport for Indians.
Since watching and indulging in cricket is easy and highly accessible, the sport receives immense love from the masses.
4. Indian Cricketers are Considered Idols
Over the years, many cricketers from India have managed to leave their marks on the sport and create history in cricket. For starters, Sachin Tendulkar is still hailed as the “God of Cricket” by millions of fans, thanks to his glorious career. Mahendra Singh Dhoni, despite having retired from international cricket, is called the best captain in the world. Virat Kohli is deemed a once–in–a–generation player by fans thanks to his exceptional skills.
Besides being loved for their cricket skills, Indian cricketers are seen as idols by fans. Tons of fans learn from them, strive to follow their work ethic, and support them unconditionally. The stardom Indian players enjoy keeps fans hooked to cricket matches and therefore, to the sport as a whole. Hence, it would be safe to say that the stardom of Indian cricketers is a prominent reason why cricket is the most loved sport in India.
Final Thoughts:
The craze for cricket in India has been there in the minds of Indians ever since India became independent. The sport is not merely a sport for Indians, it is an emotion. It has been a major one for many decades, and given how its popularity is increasing exponentially every day, cricket will continue to dwell in the hearts of Indians for a long time.
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