Cricket in the USA! Howzzat, America?
By Abhishek Haridasan
It’s taken about 180 years for the game to be frenzied in a powerhouse nation like the United States of America. But, it’s never later than never!
Cricket was welcomed back to the USA (well, big-ticket fixtures at least!) after close to two centuries through the T20 World Cup 2024!
Howdy cricket, did someone say?
The sports never left the societal fabric as it was played by people with South Asian and Caribbean heritage in a nation that takes pride in being the best at whatever they do. Outnumbered by baseball and basketball fans, cricket’s finally having a watershed moment in the land of Uncle Sam, or is it?
Played in Phases:
One leg of the first phase of the T20 World Cup was played in New York, Dallas, and Florida; cities with decent cricket infrastructure, barring New York, where games were hosted in drop-in pitches and a drop-in stadium to rake in views through TV and digital broadcasting, and bums on seats at the stadium.
The famed India-Pakistan cricket rivalry was played in New York amongst crowds that were never seen at a cricket match in the USA earlier. Did this match do justice to the sport of cricket and the economics of bringing it to an associate cricket-playing nation?
Well, the verdict is anyone’s guess, considering the pitch not playing up to standards in other countries and low-scoring games at the venue. However, one mustn’t criticize a nation that’s trying to find its feet in a sport that has a sizable audience and is betting to find more growth, as the 2028 edition of the Olympics inches closer (to be hosted in Los Angeles, and cricket making a return!)
The Fans Say…
Fan reactions seem to be normal, though all the games featuring India saw rising decibel levels and good overall viewership on digital devices.
The International Cricket Council, i.e. the ICC should be credited for their foresight and expansion plans, which led to having the USA and West Indies co-host a money-spinner event, which will eventually strengthen the roots of the game in the USA and provide a financial boost for the West Indies Cricket Board, as the second leg and grand finale moves to the group of 14 islands.
Signs are Positive:
While the reactions may be mixed, various marketing activations and media sessions by cricketing greats have ensured creating a buzz around the sport, and while cricket might eventually become mainstream in the USA through franchise cricket (Major League Cricket) and regular international fixtures, the game shall continue to grow with more native and naturalized Americans picking up the bat, shining the ball, and making the 22 yards cricketing strip their own!
Do people, fancy a T20 cricket match for some adrenaline rush? Ah, everyone’s loving it already! Let’s cricket, now!
