- The very mention of cricket never fails to conjure up an image of popularity, following, crazy fans, razzmatazz, and the mad rush to meet/greet superstar cricketers who are treated as no less than celebrities in India. Such is the reach and penetration of the sport here that none of the other sports come anywhere close to toppling cricket in terms of revenue generation and/or widespread acceptance. As we know, cricket became a national obsession soon after Team India under Kapil Dev lifted the Prudential World Cup in 1983, defeating the powerhouse West Indies of yore by showcasing magnificent team performance. The win not only altered the game’s dynamics in India but also the way cricket would be played around the world is an understatement.
PC: The Quint
- Since then, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) administrators have initiated several groundbreaking initiatives to not only popularize/monetize the game to stratospheric levels, but also ensure India emerges as the powerhouse of cricket globally. The introduction of the shortest format of the game, the T20 league, the Indian Premier League, completely altered the cricketing landscape for good. The IPL is rightly considered as one of the richest franchise-based leagues in the world of sport for a reason. Thus, the stamp of authority of the BCCI and India on the sport is complete as it stands presently. The moot point to ponder over here is whether the domestic structure gets equal traction amid the clamour for the acclaimed international superstars.
PC: The New York Times
- Let’s dwelve to comprehend how the situation pans out in present times. $250 million is one estimate of the revenue the recently concluded India-Pakistan T20 World Cup match would have generated. It’s an eye-catching figure, but a deeply misleading measure of cricket’s global health. However, it was unsurprising to see how all the stakeholders worked behind the scenes to ensure the match was played eventually when Pakistan threatened to forego the league stage match. Of the 20 teams in this men’s T20 World Cup, several may not face a full member again until the next ICC event. Outside the elite circle, meaningful exposure remains scarce. Even in the West Indies – two-time T20 champions – the sport appears in worrying decline.
PC: CEO VINE
- Conversely, while FIFA invests aggressively in developing football worldwide, the ICC’s revenue distribution remains heavily skewed toward the Big Three. Cricket’s return to the Olympics – 2028 Los Angeles Games – should have happened earlier. One reason it didn’t: ICC’s reluctance to disrupt its own marquee calendar. Indian fans are passionate, even dominant, in global arenas. Yet, English county cricket still draws loyal crowds for domestic matches, something Ranji or Duleep Trophy can rarely claim. Indifference to first-class cricket at home suggests a narrowing of affection. Loving only the national team’s victories is not quite the same as loving the game itself. Part of the shift lies in marketing. High-voltage nationalism should pave the way for universal acceptance, including domestic structure. The BCCI should focus on this area.
