ABSTRACT
The sphere and history of cricket in India are vast and filled with diverse perspectives. It was the first sport adopted from the British rulers and India is now one of the international powers of the game. This chapter examines the journey of how cricket in India evolved into a monetized sport for the benefit of all stakeholders involved.
Cricket and India are synonymous to any sporting enthusiast. However, this was not always the case. Cricket was brought to India in the 1700s by the British and initially played only by the elite. There was not much grandeur around the sport until the late 1900s. This era saw the beginning of role models within the sport of cricket. Thus having good performers, and a youthful team, was a big deal. It began the journey towards cricket’s financial success.
The sport leveraging easily relatable heroes and consistent performances suddenly garnered fan interest. The 1983 World Cup began with high hopes, and more interest in the sport in India as a nation than any time previously (International Cricket Council, 2016). With India winning the title, the economics of the game began to change. But this event only scratched the surface of the true potential of India on its journey towards becoming a cricketing nation. The 1983 World Cup win ignited a revolution, among players and fans alike.
