Cricket is an all-pervading element in the Indian subcontinent.  Without mentioning cricket, the story of India would be incomplete. It is not just a sport in India, but a part of our culture and tradition. But, the question often arises, has it overshadowed other sports and sportspersons? Is cricket an overrated sport in India?

Very recently, Sunil Chhetri, the captain of the Indian football team had to request Indians to come to watch their match against Kenya. Apparently, the stands weren’t getting the audience they had expected. Indian Women Kabaddi team, which won the Worlld Cup had to go back to their homes in autorickshaws from the airport.  While the Indian Cricket team members are treated no less than Bollywood celebrities.

This brings us to the answer to our previously stated question. Yes, Cricket IS an overrated sport in India. The reasons for this are multiple and need to be looked at differently. The factors are discussed below:

  • Management: BCCI is a key factor in creating such a persona of cricket in our country. They have invested heavily to promote the game to its current standards of popularity.
  • Public: The public outlook of cricket is also very positive. A very general example of this would be how sportspersons in India are encouraged to take up cricket instead of the sport of their choice. Cricket has much better job prospects in India as compared to any sport. IPL and World-Cup seasons in India are treated as festivals.
  • Media: Indian media has also been obsessed with the game. News channels and Newspapers allot more coverage to cricket than any other sport. Due to better viewership and fanbase of cricket, the media tends to focus more on them.
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But, things seem to be improving for other sports recently. With Indian athletes and sportspersons achieving great feats in international tournaments, several obscure sports have come into the Limelight. Mary Kom, who won a Bronze in Olympics 2012 and several World Championships, has become an inspiration for the youth of India. Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu are paving the way for badminton players of the country.  Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt, and Bajrang Punia have brought new energy to Indian wrestling. Bhaichung Bhutia and Sunil Chhetri have worked tirelessly, sacrificing even their international careers just to improve Indian football. Abhinav Bindra, Gagan Narang, and Jitu Rai have contributed tremendously to shooting.

Conclusion :-

In light of the information above, it can be deduced that: yes, cricket is an overrated sport in India, but things seem to have taken a turn for the better. Other sports have been taking significant strides towards greatness and soon India will witness the results of their hard work.

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4 Comments

  • Keshav Banka, Aug 15, 2023 @ 9:33 pm Reply

    Oh! You don’t like cricket! Get a life buddy! This is how Indians react when you say that you don’t follow cricket.
    Cricket is another foreign sport originated in England and now played, loved and watched all over the world. Especially when we come to one of the most loved sports in our country it’s so obvious to say that yes it’s cricket. For some people it’s just a game played between two teams with a bat and a bowl, I would like to ask them if they haven’t watched any of India vs Pakistan match?! Many of the people who don’t like cricket much definitely watch the ind vs pak match.
    The Indian team shares a long-standing rivalry with the Pakistani team, and India-Pakistan matches are some of the most anticipated matches in the world, and one of the most watched television broadcasts in the world. The people just eagerly wait for the match to happen, the tickets get sold out within hours, people at home’s, office’s, restaurants and hotel’s just watch the match because it is meant to be like an occasion. People take holiday on that day just to watch the match, to watch the aggression, the hunger to win against your nemesis can be seen in the eyes of the players. I would like to mention the very iconic day last year on 23rd October, one of the best, thrilling, exciting and breathtaking matches of cricket and absolutely the best innings played by Virat Kohli was seen where he just dragged the match from India loosing badly to having a great win against Pakistan. People were overwhelmed with joy happiness dancing singing having tears in their eyes because cricket is an emotion. And yes if people are having tears oh joy in their eyes then also they have tears of sullenness when we lose against Pakistan. This clearly resembles the fact that yes cricket is an Emotion, it’s just our love towards it which makes us emotional.
    For me and millions of Indians who love cricket know that IT’S AN EMOTION, IT’S LOVE, we are bound by cricket, it gives endless goosebumps, goosebumps are guaranteed when the National Anthem is played and the whole crowd just sing it on the ground, it’s a WOW! Moment I can’t express in words. People cheering loudly all over the ground, cheering for their favourite player, cheering on every boundary ever wicket, it’s just and immense experience. People worship cricketers just like God, goddess or any other celebrity. The very own example of this everyone’s favourite Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, given the title of The God of Cricket. He’s one of the G.O.A.T of cricket, an absolute legend and believe you me people do mention him in their prayers, he’s like any other god to the people specially for the young players and children. Many cricketing legends are inspirations and idols for the young generation.

    Cricket is portrayed in Indian popular culture as an extremely important part of India’s national identity.[5] It is frequently associated with a strong sense of patriotism and nationalism. World cups, Indian Premier League (IPL) are one of the most watched events in India.
    I’ll take up some numbers to prove my words, Cricket has over one billion fans globally, with 80% to 90% of them coming from India. An amazing example of increased commercialization is how from 2014 to 2016, there was a 14% growth in ads across all cricket content.[12] The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), paid Star India an astounding 38.5 billion rupees to broadcast India’s domestic matches, demonstrating the IPL’s enormous popularity and lucrative business potential.
    Cricket is an important part of Indian culture[5] and top players, like Sachin Tendulkar as I mentioned, Sourav Ganguly, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma often attain celebrity status and are some of the most influential figures in the country. Cricket is often portrayed patriotically in popular Indian films.

  • Foolish Stance, Jan 19, 2021 @ 6:27 pm Reply

    Cricket is a religion in India. It will remain so

  • Ankur Manna, Apr 24, 2020 @ 6:35 pm Reply

    Cricket is the most popular sport India.especially among the youth. The popularity of the game is mainly due to a some factors…..first, the equipments required in the game is pretty less….secondly it can be played anywhere some finds place…..thirdly when present is groups the most challenging game stands to be cricket….fourthly India has achieved alot in cricket, which is more than any other sport in India. The players have won the hearts of the millions by winning world cup,champion trophies and numerous series. This has resulted in increase in talented players all over the country. Austraslian Cricketer Marcus Stoinis said that India has more capable and talented players than me in their bench. All over the world Indian players are popular. Best bowlers of the world face challenge in bowling our batsmen and talented batsmen all 0ver the world fear our bowlers. The country has achieved a lot in recent decade or so. This cannot be called to be over rated. If other sports cannot gain popularity that is because of lack of talent and not because cricket is overrated. Funding is provided to all sports. But corruption and chain of departments eat up all. As BCCI is an independent body, there is no issue of money in this sport.
    …………..
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    #ILoveCricket;)

  • ROMAL JOSEPH, Apr 23, 2020 @ 10:01 am Reply

    The way Cricket is being played in India, in every village and city, in streets and empty sites, during day and night, I could say it is no longer just a sport, but has become a kind of obsession with people at large.

    What is regrettable however, is that cricket now-a-days is shadowed by unhealthy competition, match fixing scandals, and corruption in the high places. The media, especially the TV channels, newspapers and advertising, feed on this “frenzy.”

    With the introduction of IPL or Indian Premier League, cricketers are being bid for skyrocketing sums of money by millionaires, businessmen and cine stars who launch teams of their own to play against others. It has opened doors to easy money, and instantaneous fame for the players and their sponsors. Hence, young people feel that they should play only cricket to make money. Doubtless, cricket is overrated in India.

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