Cricket in India (by Joe)

I am a major crickt fan, so the popularity of the game in India was aways a big draw for me to come here.

Cricket is not quite played on every street corner as is often said (see top - a game in the park), but it is extremely popular. I've loved that - talking about the game, debating the merits and temperaments of various players with people who are equally enthusiastic.

If I've ever felt in any way uncomfortable with Indians we've met (not that I have especially), I've been able to elicit a warm smile simply by raising a thumb and uttering the words 'Sachin Tendulkar', 'Mahindrasingh Dhoni' or 'Rahul Dravid'.

It is said that the 1983 cricket World Cup, won by India, was a key moment in developing the game. Government investment followed, as politicians and the general population alike identified a sport at which India could dominate the world and so provide a focus for national pride and cohesion.

There is much that cricket in India has in common with football in England. It is the number one sport gaining massive publicity on TV, in newspapers and in people's discussions. Cricket stars such as Dhoni, Tendulkar and Dravid are hailed as stars and heroes in ads and media across the country (see left).

Yet, as with footy in England, we have noted more than a hint of disillusionment with the game and its stars.

This is understandable: the enormously high star status of the players raises equally high expectations, so any failure in performance or dip in form is scrutinised in conversations, on the television and in newspaper 'leader' editorials - "we are told and accept that these men are heroes, 'India's champions', so how can they fail - how could the team be beaten?" So goes the thinking.

After failures there follow suspicions about players' commitment - as to whether all the money and endorsements have led them (literally?) to take their eyes off the ball. All of this piles (unhealthy) pressure on the players and can create a difficult culture to breed real confidence and greater success.

There are also issues around the structure of the game. Organised cricket (as opposed to informal street cricket) remains a game of the relatively wealthy. So despite India's huge population (1 billion +), the pool of athletes that selectors draw from is far far more limited (see left - an organised cricket net session). With the stakes so high, selection for regional and national teams, as well as the general management and administration of the game is highly political.

Football, requiring less kit and equipment to play, is growing in popularity across the country, especially amongst poorer Indians. Slickly produced highlights' packages of games from Europe are shown widely on television and European football team shirts are seen widely.

Cricket still remains well ahead as the national sport and the Indian team continues to perform 'reasonably' on the world stage.

However one suspects that to retain its status, Indian cricket needs soon to match on the field, the enormous expectations that continue to be built up off it.

Below - a street seller from whom I bought the India cricket t-shirt (100 rupees), holds up his prize picture of him with Sachin Tendulkar.

Joe