India’s Thriving Cricket Industry Imports Star Power to the U.S. through Inaugural World Cup

India’s Thriving Cricket Industry Imports Star Power to the U.S. through Inaugural World Cup

Cricket, a sport similar to baseball, has long been popular in England and some former British colonies. However, it has now set its sights on the United States, with the inaugural World Cup set to take place on U.S. soil in June. While cricket hasn’t quite broken through in America, it has seen immense success in countries such as India, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, and the West Indies. The Indian cricket industry, in particular, is thriving, with the sport accounting for a significant portion of the country’s national spending on sports.

India’s love affair with cricket is undeniable. With a population of over 1.4 billion people, cricket has become the most popular sport in the country. The Indian Premier League (IPL), a professional cricket tournament, draws millions of viewers each year. In fact, the 2023 IPL tournament saw a record-breaking 505 million viewers in India alone. The league has also attracted significant investment, with the average value of an IPL team exceeding $1 billion. Private equity firm RedBird even acquired a 15% stake in the Rajasthan Royals for $37.5 million.

Now, this star power is making its way to the U.S. as the country hosts the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20 World Cup. The T20 format is the shortest and most popular form of cricket, with matches typically lasting around three hours. The world cup will be co-hosted by the U.S. and the West Indies and will take place in three U.S. stadiums, as well as several locations in the West Indies.

The decision to host part of the world cup in the U.S., particularly the highly anticipated India-Pakistan match, is a strategic move by the ICC to take advantage of the potential for growth in the country. The U.S. will also host the cricket tournament at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, further solidifying its place in the global cricket circuit.

For Indian Americans, the U.S.-India match presents a unique challenge. Many Indian Americans have a deep connection to both countries and will have to choose which team to support. George Samuel, a cricket coach and director of Queens United Cricket Academy, is excited about the world cup taking place in his backyard in Nassau County, New York. As an Indian American, he doesn’t have loyalty to either side and simply wants to see good cricket.

Samuel’s son, Jeremy, shares his father’s passion for cricket and hopes to play professionally for the U.S. team. For him and his friends, who have never witnessed a major cricket match before, the world cup is a significant moment that will bring more attention to the sport in the U.S.

Meanwhile, some fans like Mythili Sankaran, who grew up in India and has watched every match India has played in the last 25 years, are more interested in supporting the Indian team against their traditional rivals, Pakistan. Sankaran believes that the U.S. cricket audience is maturing largely due to Indian Americans, and she hopes that the world cup will bring more awareness and visibility to women’s cricket in the U.S., as the U.S. women’s cricket team has been performing well.

Overall, the inaugural World Cup on U.S. soil marks a historic opportunity for cricket in the country. With star power imported from India and other cricket-loving nations, it is a chance for the sport to gain traction among American audiences. Whether it’s Indian Americans supporting both teams or hoping for more visibility for women’s cricket, there is no doubt that this event will leave a lasting impact on the future of cricket in the U.S.