Community Conversations
The 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is scheduled to be hosted by the USA and the West Indies. It will be the first ICC World Cup tournament to feature matches played in the United States. On this background, IAGB community expresses their thoughts as to whether the USA is ready for cricket:
Ashwini Chavan :
Cricket is definitely growing widely in the US. The T20 cricket format will be loved and welcomed here because it’s shorter in duration, easier to follow and exciting at the same time. The inaugural Major league cricket held earlier this year brought new as well as passionate fans to the stadiums. There are ICC level cricket stadiums being built around the US which is a positive sign to the rising popularity of the sport around the country. Lot of Americans have heard of cricket but because it’s not as popular as American sports they don’t get to play it. I was at a tournament where the girls’ softball team (mostly non- Indian Americans) played cricket with us. Cricket is also going to be part of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028! I’m eagerly looking forward to watching the T20 World Cup in person.
Kandasamy Thangavelu:
Although cricket faces many challenges like competing with other sports, overcoming historical and cultural barriers, and reaching out to a diverse fan base, there are signs that the sport is on the rise in this country. Thanks to the efforts of USA Cricket and investments from various sources including IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Mumbai Indians, and Chennai Super kings; cricket in the US is on the upward trajectory and has potential to become a major sport in the country in the coming decade. USA Cricket plans to implement a nationwide school program which is needed for growing the talent pool and making cricket a mainstream sport in this country. This will be a great opportunity for kids of immigrant families from cricket playing countries.
Reva Datar:
Cricket is the second most watched sport in the world, yet it’s hardly known here in America. With the T-20 cricket World Cup, a sensational sporting event, coming to us this year, America doesn’t know what it’s in for! After Americans see phenomenal batting and bowling from players all around the world, I think cricket’s popularity will increase even more than what it is already at. The sport is just too good, and American exposure to cricket is long overdue.
‘Just another cricket fan’ :
The excitement of cricket that we all grew up with is hard to douse. Once in blue-moon charity matches are a drop in the bucket and that too, lacks seriousness for one to make a trip to the ground. The recent advent of Major League Cricket (MCL) is a step in the right direction. After an explosion of Indian restaurants, Indian stores, Temples and Indian cinemas, this was inevitable – just a matter of time. After all, the successful sports franchise concept of US was duplicated on a grand scale at IPL yielding BCCI a windfall and it is only fair for the rest of us to get that extravaganza on shore. I’m sure the sports loving US public will gradually embrace cricket, just like the Indian food and let it reach new heights. Given that Cricket has made it to the Olympics and if the success of 1st season of MCL is any indication, then Yes, I believe we are ready for Cricket in the US. Bring it on!
Shanth Hanchur:
The USA has a growing number of cricket facilities, including stadiums, nets, and pitches. However, there is still a need for more infrastructure to support the sport, especially in smaller towns and cities.
Krish Babu:
I believe the USA is ready for Cricket because there are a lot of immigrants in America who would be interested in watching Cricket games. I am in Westford and I have friends in my town that play Cricket. I have experienced first hand the Cricket scene in New England and North Carolina as my dad has been a part of local Cricket teams. I think Cricket will be liked by Americans because when it was played in my school in 7th grade, students found it to be a fun and exciting game. They thought it was another cool version of Baseball. America has started to have the infrastructure for Cricket due to efforts by the community to use Baseball fields in a dual manner by adding Cricket pitches. This would mean more accessibility to this game. I hope to avail tickets to the T20 World Cup so that I can enjoy the game in this country while embracing my ethnic roots.
Arohan Pathak:
Cricket is a much loved sport in many parts of the world. It will encourage diverse communities to come together in America when this is available to be enjoyed locally. I think the people of America are ready to embrace Cricket, to be added to the list of loved sports. Kids who like baseball automatically are drawn to this different and interesting version of a game that they already understand. It would add more challenge and a competitive spirit while promoting the sport itself. I hope and believe that schools and town recreation groups will soon start offering Cricket as part of their program roster. Hosting the T20 World Cup in 2024 in the USA is a great segway to a more widespread and welcoming presence of Cricket throughout our country.