In India, cricket has always been regarded as the most popular sport. The popularity of cricket is such that people here consider the game as a religion and not just a pastime. Every time there is a cricket match, fans from all over the country rush to the stadium. People will also leave all their important work and remain glued to the television. There are also a lot of kids and adults who regularly participate in gully cricket to show their interest in the game. Cricket is one such sport that unites the people of India. So, here we are going to have a look at some of the reasons behind the extreme popularity of cricket:
Simplicity: The game of cricket is very straightforward. To play a simple game of cricket, you are not required to understand the game in detail. Also, you just need a bat and a ball and 2 players and you are sorted. Although a professional game of cricket is played between 22 players on the field, even a small group of people can enjoy cricket. You do not require a lot of space for playing the game. You can even play it in your backyard.
Infrastructure: The game of cricket can be played almost anywhere and everywhere. India has got a lot of stadiums and coaching centers where both kids and adults can practice cricket on a regular basis. Almost every state has at least one stadium and in some states, the number of stadiums is even three to four. So, we can say that India has got a very good infrastructure for conducting cricket matches. When you compare it to the number of FIFA stadiums, you will find that there are only a limited number of FIFA stadiums in India.
Physical attributes: We Indians do not like to work really hard. So, unlike games like basketball, football and tennis, cricket does not require a lot of physical strength and really good strength. Anyone who wants to play cricket can play the game. Also, you do not have to involve yourself in an active lifestyle in order to play cricket. Even if you lack physical strength, you can get yourself involved in the game.
Money: Money is one of the most important reasons why cricket is immensely popular in India. It is because it can easily be cashed into money. There are different ways by which cricket can be considered as a source of income. There are numerous betting sites where people invest a lot of money. Also, cricket is a source of employment for millions of people. Every year during the IPL, hundreds of jobs are offered.
Inspiration: India is a land of famous cricketers. Some of the most renowned cricketers of the world are from India. As a result, there are hundreds of people who follow these cricketers like gods. Some of the most popular names include Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Sourav Ganguly. There are hundreds of Indian kids who wake up every day with the dream of becoming a cricketer in the future. Because of these idols, many Indians aspire to be actively involved in cricket. They not only want to become a cricketer but they also aim to play for the country.
So, these were some of the most popular reasons behind the immense popularity of India and with time, the popularity will only increase. However, initiatives are being made to make other sports popular as well.
