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| Cricket in India | |
|---|---|
| Name | Cricket in India |
| Caption | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| First | 1721 |
| Governing body | Board of Control for Cricket in India |
| Domestic | Ranji Trophy; Indian Premier League; Vijay Hazare Trophy; Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy |
| International | India national cricket team; Women's national cricket team |
Cricket in India
Cricket in India is a major sport with deep historical roots and vast contemporary influence across Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, and Bengaluru. It links institutions such as the Board of Control for Cricket in India and events like the Indian Premier League with iconic figures including Sachin Tendulkar, Kapil Dev, Rahul Dravid, Virat Kohli, and Mithali Raj. The landscape spans domestic competitions such as the Ranji Trophy and international triumphs at the ICC Cricket World Cup and ICC T20 World Cup.
Cricket reached India via British East India Company officials, early matches recorded in Calcutta and Goa during the 18th and 19th centuries, with clubs like the Calcutta Cricket Club established. Matches between communities led to contests such as the historic Bombay Quadrangular and later the Bombay Pentangular that shaped communal sporting identities. Post-independence milestones include India's 1971 Test series victory in England under Ajit Wadekar, the 1983 ICC Cricket World Cup victory led by Kapil Dev, and the 2007 inaugural ICC World Twenty20 win captained by Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Professionalization accelerated with the creation of the Board of Control for Cricket in India's modern structures, televised coverage on Doordarshan and later Star Sports, and the commercial revolution initiated by the formation of the Indian Premier League under Shashank Manohar and Lalit Modi.
India's domestic system is anchored by the first-class Ranji Trophy, zonal competitions and state teams such as Mumbai cricket team, Karnataka cricket team, Tamil Nadu cricket team, and Delhi cricket team. Limited-overs competitions include the List A Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Twenty20 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The franchise-based Indian Premier League features clubs including Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Sunrisers Hyderabad, attracting international players from Australia national cricket team, England cricket team, South Africa national cricket team, Pakistan national cricket team, and New Zealand cricket team. Pathways for talent involve the Deodhar Trophy, under-age tournaments like Cooch Behar Trophy and Vijay Merchant Trophy, and regional academies such as the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.
The India national cricket team has contested major events: ICC tournaments including the ICC Cricket World Cup, ICC Champions Trophy, and ICC T20 World Cup. Landmark achievements include the 1983 ICC Cricket World Cup win, the 2007 ICC World Twenty20 title, the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup triumph under Mahendra Singh Dhoni, and consistent top-tier Test performances culminating in series victories in Australia (2018–19) and competitive tours in England and South Africa. India competes in bilateral series such as the Border–Gavaskar Trophy against Australia national cricket team and the India–England Test series including the Pataudi Trophy. The Women's cricket in India team has reached finals in global events like the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup and the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, featuring players such as Mithali Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Jhulan Goswami.
Cricket pervades Indian popular culture through films like Lagaan, MS Dhoni: The Untold Story, and 83 (film), music by composers such as A. R. Rahman featured in cricket narratives, and celebrity endorsements by actors Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, and Ranbir Kapoor. Media coverage expanded from state broadcaster Doordarshan to private networks including Star Sports, Sony Pictures Networks India, and digital platforms like Hotstar and JioCinema. Commentary and analysis have prominent voices from former players like Sunil Gavaskar, Anil Kumble, Ravi Shastri, VVS Laxman, and Sourav Ganguly, and sports journalism in outlets such as The Times of India, The Hindu, and ESPNcricinfo shapes public discourse.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) administers professional cricket, managing selections, fixtures, and commercial rights, with governance influenced by judicial interventions such as rulings by the Supreme Court of India and reform efforts linked to the Lodha Committee. State associations like the Mumbai Cricket Association, Karnataka State Cricket Association, and Tamil Nadu Cricket Association coordinate regional competitions. Players' contracts and central contracts have been negotiated between BCCI and representative bodies such as the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations and player management firms represented by agents managing stars like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Major venues include the Wankhede Stadium, Eden Gardens, M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Arun Jaitley Stadium, Narendra Modi Stadium, and Greenfield International Stadium. Facilities also span academies like the National Cricket Academy, training centres in Hyderabad and Pune, and spin-focused nets like those at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium. Pitch and turf management techniques draw expertise from curators linked to domestic boards and international consultants from Cricket Australia and England and Wales Cricket Board.
Grassroots development occurs through school competitions affiliated with organizations such as the All India Football Federation (multi-sport school frameworks), district associations, and private academies like those founded by Sachin Tendulkar and Mithali Raj alumni initiatives. Talent scouting in rural regions of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Rajasthan feeds state teams. Women's cricket has grown via the Women's T20 Challenge, expansion of the domestic women's circuit, and franchises investing in women's squads following models by Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings. Development programs partner with international bodies including the International Cricket Council for coaching, anti-corruption education by the International Cricket Council Anti-Corruption Unit, and sports medicine inputs from institutions like the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.