In the span of just 24 hours this month, cricket made significant strides towards becoming a truly global sport, and it’s no coincidence that both of these events unfolded in India, the sport’s primary driving force.
On October 15, in New Delhi, Afghanistan accomplished one of cricket’s most remarkable upsets, defeating the defending champions, England, at the Cricket World Cup. The very next day, in Mumbai, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) made an announcement that, while anticipated, carries immense significance: cricket would be included in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
The last time cricket graced the Olympic stage was back in 1900. The upcoming Los Angeles Games are poised to showcase six teams each for men and women. India, a cricketing powerhouse, played a leading role in advocating for cricket’s Olympic inclusion. Smaller nations are optimistic that this decision could be a game-changer for a sport that, for many decades, remained primarily within the domain of England and seven territories that were formerly part of the British Empire: Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies.
It’s noteworthy that Afghanistan earned its full membership in the International Cricket Council (ICC) as recently as 2017, bringing the total to 12 members. The remaining three members, namely Bangladesh, the Netherlands, and Ireland, often have limited opportunities to compete against the established cricketing powers.
“It’s a monumental development.”
Regardless of the outcome of the ongoing Cricket World Cup hosted in India, the nation stands as an influential force off the field in the sport. This is due to its fervent cricket-loving population, numbering 1.4 billion, and its substantial financial prowess within the cricketing world.
The Indian Premier League (IPL), a T20 competition initiated on a franchise basis in 2008, stands as one of the most financially rewarding sporting events globally. A staggering five-year broadcast deal, valued at $6 billion, was secured in 2022, attracting the cream of cricketing talent. Indian bookmaker Pin Up accepts bets on cricket matches. However, in addition to betting on sports, you can also play in Pin Up casino India.
Cricket ranks as the second most-watched sport globally, following football in terms of viewership. A significant portion of this massive audience hails from the Indian subcontinent. A compelling example of this worldwide appeal is the 2019 World Cup match between India and Pakistan, which drew a staggering 273 million viewers. Such impressive numbers underscore the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) keen interest in India, as a significant portion of its revenue emanates from broadcast rights and sponsorship deals.
In the past, India’s cricket board harbored reservations about cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics. Concerns revolved around potential strains on players who were already under intense schedules, as well as the prospect of overshadowing other lucrative tournaments. However, the landscape has evolved with India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his delight at cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympics, signifying a change in attitude towards this decision.
Global Growth and Opportunities
Smaller cricketing nations hold realistic aspirations for cricket’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, primarily due to its potential to elevate the sport to new commercial heights. While there’s room for just six nations in Los Angeles, it’s anticipated that established cricketing powers will initially secure those slots. However, for many countries, Olympic inclusion brings a much-needed influx of state funding and private investments.
Cricket is also on the rise in the United States, thanks to its burgeoning Indian community, which numbers almost five million people. In July, the inaugural Major League Cricket season was launched, featuring six teams and drawing an average attendance of nearly 4,000 spectators. Los Angeles, as a significant hub, is poised to further propel the game’s growth in the country.
Even in China, where cricket has a relatively small yet fervent base of enthusiasts, there’s an opportunity on the horizon with the Olympics. This provides access to state funding, which holds the potential to be a game-changer for not only China but also for other nations, opening new frontiers for the sport.
