1. Cricket world cup matches will take place in the U.S. for the first time ever in June, marking a push to grow the sport in North America.
2. Cricket is hugely popular in countries such as India and Pakistan. The average value of an Indian Premier League team has exceeded $1 billion, according to Forbes, and investors are taking notice.
3. Experts and fans say the historic world cup could open the doors for the sport’s future in the U.S.
A significant cricket world championship is set to grace American soil for the first time this June, marking the sport's endeavor to carve its path in the United States.
Cricket, a sport akin to baseball, originated in England and has enjoyed longstanding popularity there. However, the game has experienced a surge in India, the globe's most populous nation, as well as in several other former British territories.
In the U.S., cricket finds its main enthusiasts among immigrants and their offspring. Yet, in 2023, the sport received a shot in the arm with the inception of Major League Cricket in the U.S., comprising six teams: the Los Angeles Knight Riders, MI New York, San Francisco Unicorns, Seattle Orcas, Texas Super Kings, and Washington Freedom.
Now, the U.S. men's national cricket squad will carry the banner for the host nation in this year's International Cricket Council Men's T20 World Cup. Competing in the Twenty20, or T20, format — the swiftest and most favored variant of the game — these matches usually span around three hours, in contrast to the traditional cricket matches that can extend up to five days.
The current world cup is co-hosted by the U.S. and the West Indies and is scheduled across three American stadiums — in Texas, Florida, and New York — along with various venues in the West Indies.
"It's an unprecedented moment for the U.S.," remarked former ESPN cricket correspondent Peter Della Penna.
Success in India
Although cricket hasn't yet made significant strides in the U.S., it has found success in nations like Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, and the West Indies. Nonetheless, its most profound impact arguably lies in India, where it reigns as the most beloved sport in a populace exceeding 1.4 billion, as per Statista.
In the Asian subcontinent, cricket already commands a substantial economic presence. In 2022, it constituted 85% of India's total sports expenditure, according to ISPO, renowned for hosting sports business exhibitions.
Moreover, viewership figures continue to shatter records. Disney reported that its Disney Star Network's coverage of the prestigious Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2023 attracted an unprecedented 505 million viewers in India alone, marking the first instance of surpassing the half-billion viewer mark.
Forbes indicates that the average valuation of an IPL franchise has soared past $1 billion, capturing the attention of investors. In June 2021, private equity firm RedBird acquired a 15% stake in the IPL's Rajasthan Royals for $37.5 million.
Just a year later, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the sport's governing body in the country, sealed a television and digital broadcast rights deal worth a record $6.2 billion. This positioned the IPL as the world's second-most valuable sports league per match, trailing only behind the NFL, as per Jay Shah, the BCCI's honorary secretary.
The early June fixtures of the world cup promise to bring a glimpse of that star power to the U.S., notably featuring a highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash and culminating in a showdown between the U.S. and India.
"The [U.S.-India] match has already sold out, with 34,000 seats filled at the New York venue," shared Della Penna. "That underscores the immense opportunity the U.S. stands to gain during the world cup — with a television audience unparalleled in any previous U.S.-involved match — especially considering the Indian and other key markets like England or Australia."
The ICC's decision to stage a segment of the world cup in the U.S., particularly the eagerly awaited India-Pakistan encounter, was a strategic maneuver to capitalize on the country's growth potential, according to USA Cricket. The U.S. will host the tournament a few years before cricket makes its debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Della Penna, a seasoned cricket journalist of nearly two decades, also highlighted the financial incentives behind the move.
"The ICC ensured the India-Pakistan match took place on U.S. soil because they recognize the massive cricket fanbase comprising a few million people from the South Asian diaspora," Della Penna noted.
Tasmai Krishnan, a teenage cricket enthusiast in India and host of the podcast "Cricstatic," emphasized the sport's integral role in Indian culture. As newer sports like pickleball gain traction, Tasmai expressed hopes for cricket's expansion in the U.S. He eagerly anticipates observing how the U.S. integrates into the global cricket landscape post-world cup.
"From an Indian standpoint, this opens up new avenues for cricket, unlocking another formidable competitor in the form of the U.S.," Tasmai remarked. "It presents an excellent learning opportunity for the U.S. team, and seeing a nation like the U.S. participate fills me with immense joy."
‘A dream come true’
According to Della Penna, the clash between the U.S. and India will present an intriguing dilemma for Indian Americans in selecting their allegiance.
Among them is George Samuel, a resident of Nassau County, New York, where some of the world cup matches will unfold. Samuel heads the Queens United Cricket Academy, dedicated to nurturing cricket skills in children and teenagers. Despite immigrating from India to the U.S. in 1987, he has coached cricket in England, Australia, and South Africa. Upon settling in New York, he aimed to propagate the sport.
"I was thrilled," he exclaimed upon discovering that the world cup would grace his neighborhood. "I never envisioned this when I arrived in this country — it's a dream realized."
While Samuel has secured his tickets, he envisions this world cup as a catalyst for cricket's ascent in the U.S. However, he abstains from favoring either side in the ultimate match.
"I appreciate good cricket. I don't pledge allegiance. I want to witness the U.S. showcase talent and witness skillful batting, bowling, and plenty of sixes," he expressed. A "sixer" equates to a baseball home run in cricket.
His teenage son, Jeremy, disclosed that despite the family's Indian heritage, he's rallying behind the U.S., his country of birth, aspiring to play cricket professionally for the U.S. team.
Jeremy, accompanied by his friends, has secured tickets for the world cup, none of whom have experienced a major cricket match before.
"It's incredibly thrilling to witness it here — just 15 minutes away from my home," he shared. "It's a monumental moment for us to finally witness one... It brings me joy because now more individuals will be introduced to cricket and may take up the sport."
Conversely, some are fervently backing the Indian team against its traditional adversaries.
Mythili Sankaran, a resident of California, disclosed that she has watched every match India has played in the last 25 years. She asserted that she won't even bother watching the U.S.-India match and is journeying to New York solely for the India-Pakistan segment of the world cup.
"Growing up in India with the Indian team, we were always the underdogs. Now, India is one of the most, if not the most, promising and powerful team in world cricket," she reminisced. Sankaran, who played cricket at the university level in India before relocating to the U.S., expressed disbelief at the prospect of witnessing international stars and an India-Pakistan clash on American soil.
"To witness these international stars, to witness an India-Pakistan match in the U.S. — I never thought I'd experience that in my lifetime," she reflected. "I believe the cricket audience in the U.S. is evolving largely due to Indian Americans, and it's high time."
Ultimately, Sankaran aspires for the world cup to usher in a new era.
"My hope is... people get to witness women's cricket in the U.S. as well," she articulated. "The U.S. women's cricket team is actually performing admirably, so I hope there will be greater awareness and visibility for that."
