Cricket is one of the most followed sports in India that draws out millions of fans each year. While some Indians like to watch the sporting action from the stands, others prefer to catch it live on TV with family and friends.
India has one of the best national cricket teams in the world. In 1983, the Indian cricket national team emerged as the Cricket World Cup Champions. It also won the 2011 Cricket World Cup. There is a huge possibility that India will host the 2023 Cricket World Cup.
Related Reading: Best Cricket Betting Sites in India
History of cricket
The history of cricket in India can be traced back to the year 1721 when the first-ever cricket game was played on Indian soil by English sailors. All the participants belonged to the East Indian Company. And the game was played at Kutch, a district in Western India. By 1792, the first cricket club had already been formed. In 1799, another club was formed in South India at a place known as Seringapatam.
By 1864, cricket in India had become more organized, to a point where first-class matches could be held. The first-ever recorded first-class match was played between Calcutta and Madras. Unfortunately, it wasn’t well documented. Nonetheless, the man of the match was Praveen Chauhan. The best fielder of the match was Ashwani Sharma and both players hailed from Panipat.
In 1932, India would go on to become a member of the elite club. Other member countries of this club included England, Australia, New Zealand, West Indies, and South Africa. Soon after, India played the first match against England in the famed Lords stadium. This match attracted over 24,000 spectators. The United Kingdom King was also present.
After India gained its independence from the British Raj In 1947, the sport grew exponentially across the country. As of today, India has made its mark in world cricket.
Besides winning two world cups, one in 1983, and the other in 2011, their cricket players have continued to excel on the world stage. The sport is managed by the BBCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), which is said to be the richest board of cricket in the world. With the Indian Cricket National Team currently ranked as number one in the Test, number two in Demand and position four in T20I, it is undoubtedly one of the best cricket teams in the world.
Most renowned cricket tournaments in the world
Asia Cup
The Asia Cup is a popular men’s cricket tournament that was established in 1983. This was right after the Asian Cricket Council was formed. The competition was launched to foster goodwill among Asian countries. The original plan was to hold this competition every two years.
Ashes Series
The Ashes Series is a Test cricket competition that’s meant to be played in England and Australia. The Ashes is usually held by the team that has recently emerged victorious in the Test Series. In case the teams playing share the spoils, the previous winner retains the cup.
The term Ashes was coined from a satirical obituary, which had been published in an English newspaper. This was in 1882 after Australia beat England on their home soil. They had never done it before. The publication satirically purported that cricket was dead in England. And that its body would be cremated and the ashes delivered to Australia.
Indian Premier League
The Indian Premier League is one of the most renowned cricket tournaments in the country. It consists of elite teams and players. For this reason, the tournament has garnered massive followership by fans from all over the country.
The league is also home to some of the world’s most expensive international cricket players. Its matches are relished by both spectators and punters. This exciting tournament runs for two months, drawing an audience from all parts of the world.
Champions League Twenty20
Commonly referred to as the CLT20, the Champions League Twenty20 is an international cricket tournament held annually. The participating teams are drawn from domestic leagues of numerous cricketing nations. Usually, these are the top-performing teams from their respective leagues.
This tournament first took place in 2009, but it had been officially launched in 2008. The tournament is collectively owned by Cricket Australia, Cricket South Africa, and the BCCI.
ICC Cricket World Cup
The ICC Cricket World Cup is the most respected cricket sporting event in the world. This competition stages the greatest matches in the cricket world. It is organized by the International Cricket Council and has several stages that lead to the final match.
This tournament brings together the best world cricket players every four years. Preliminary qualifications are played to decide which teams will participate in the main event.
The ICC Cricket World Cup is regarded as the most viewed sporting event. And it is also the most coveted sporting event by cricket players.
ICC Women’s World Cup
The ICC Women’s World Cup began in 1973 in England. The fixtures are played as One Day Internationals. The best women’s cricket teams from different nations face each other.
Initially, this tournament was organized by the International Women’s Cricket Council. In 2005, this body merged with the ICC. And since then, the competition is administered by the ICC. Before the organizations merged, the competition was marred by financial hardships. But since 2005, it has been held every four years without any qualms.
Teams participating in this tournament qualify through the World Cup Qualifier and the ICC Women’s Championships.
This tournament is somewhat conservative. For the last two decades, no new team has participated in it. The tournament consists of 8 teams only, and Australia has dominated with an impressive 6 wins.
ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup
The under-19 Cricket World Cup is graced by young talents from different countries. As the name suggests, it is organized by the International Cricket Council. Before, it was known as the Youth World Cup. It was first held in 1988 and shelved until 1998. Since 1998, it’s been held every other two years. The tournament consists of 16 teams.
T20 World cup
The ICC T20 World Cup was initially known as the ICC World Twenty20. This is an international cricket championship that is organized by the International Cricket Council.
The tournament consists of 16 teams. Six teams from the 16 are selected from the T20 world cup qualifier, while the rest come from the top 10 teams selected before the deadline.
The T20 World Cup was held every two years. But that has since changed. The last T20 World Cup was held in 2016, and the next one is scheduled to be held in 2020.
ICC Champions Trophy
As the second-ranked cricket tournament after the ICC Cricket World Cup, the ICC Championship Trophy is an important cricket sporting event. Originally, it was known as the ICC Knockout tournament. This competition was launched in 1998. It was scheduled to be played every four years. In 2002, its name was switched to the ICC Champions Trophy.
NatWest series
The NatWest series is a special ODI English tournament that was launched in 2000. Initially, this incredible cricket tournament was sponsored by the great Westminster Bank.
In this tournament, teams play each other twice. The two leading teams from all fixtures meet in the final match. The finals take place in one of the most magnificent stadiums- Lords. The stadium is usually packed and vibrant as fans cheer on their favorite teams.
Border-Gavaskar trophy
This is a fierce competition between Australia and India. This tournament was organized to pay tribute to India’s Sunil Gavaskar and Australia’s Allan Border. They were the first cricketers to hit the 10,000 club milestone. India has emerged as the most formidable and dominant team in this competition.
Commonwealth Bank series
This tournament began in 1978-80. It is an Australian ODI Tri-series that’s contested between 2 visiting teams. Usually, it is held in January, February or December, a time that is considered to be the height of the Australian cricket season. From 1980, it was played every season. However, this was changed in 2007-08. Since then, its format has been further changed numerous times. Recently, it has assumed the T20 International format.
Women’s One Day International
The Women’s One Day International tournament, which is also referred to as WODI is one of the few renowned women’s cricket tournaments. This competition was first held in 1973, in England. In this fixture, England faced an International XI, which they went on to beat.
The Women’s One Day International is a tournament for the top 10 ranked women’s teams only.
World Test Championship
The ICC World Test Championship is the youngest international Test cricket tournament. It is organized and run by the ICC. This tournament was initiated to fulfill the ICC’s vision of having one tournament that unites all the formats of world cricket. The second tournament is scheduled to take place in 2021.
These are the world’s most popular cricket tournaments that most cricketers dream of participating in. They are also the most followed competitions by fans all over the world.