Cricket is a popular sport in India that even the bettors can’t remain untouched by its craze. In this blog, you will learn how it impacts the betting industry.
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Cricket In India- Dominating the Betting World
Famous Australian cricketer Steve Wough once stated,” In India, cricket is not just a sport, it’s a religion.”
Do you know what is the national sport of India? It’s hockey. But if asked which is the most played sport in the country, the answer is always- Cricket. Any match is no less than a festival. It directly connects to emotions all around.
The country’s connection with cricket has lasted for over three centuries when the British ruled there. After gaining independence from the Britishers in 1947, India distanced itself from England’s colonial influence in many ways but couldn’t let go of cricket which has taken the deep routes.
Why Is Cricket So Popular in India? The Rise
Popular cricketer Harsha Bhogle mentioned in Ted Talks, ”There are only two vehicles in India- one real, one scripted. The scripted one is what you see in movies; the real one was cricket.”
India’s humble beginnings started with the formation of the Calcutta Cricket Club in 1792 when test matches were usually played. But, it took several years for the country to register its international victory in a Test match.
1952 was the momentous year when the country won its first test match against England. During that time, players, including Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, and Lala Amarnath, started becoming popular.
But, the real revolution was in 1983, when the country shocked everyone with its first World Cup victory in the one-day match under the captaincy of Kapil Dev. The victory profoundly impacted the game’s development, contributing to the humungous rise of cricket lovers and followers.
The coming years we witnessed a stream of A-class players who emerged as the new face of the game, including Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Harbhajan Singh, M.S. Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and many others.
The most significant triumphs that sparked the cricket popularity in India are:
- 1983 and 2011 World Cup- The former marked the arrival of the Indian cricket team led by Kapil Dev on the most prominent global platform. The 2011 World Cup was another stunning victory under the captaincy of M.S. Dhoni.
- ICC Championship Trophies 2002 and 2013- Both exciting victories were led by the captains Sourav Ganguly and M.S. Dhoni, respectively.
- ICC T20 World Cup 2007- This was another major victory, again led by M.S. Dhoni.
The Huge Fandom for the Game
If someone asks how many fans of cricket in India there are, the answer is countless.
Can you believe that, among the 1 billion global cricket fans, 90% are only Indians?
It is the only sport that has managed to tie up different Indian communities across the world. The game’s popularity in this South Asian country has made it a favorite sport among bettors. A report states that this game is the most watched and followed sport.
The game is watched and loved everywhere, from test matches to one-day and T-20 to the IPLs. With its increasing popularity, cricket in India started getting many big sponsors willing to promote the game to a bigger level.
Big brands are now endorsing their products and spending massive amounts of money. On the other hand, the game is currently the most favorite sport in the field of sports betting. Everyone wants to bet their money on matches to gain higher profits.
Does the Popularity of Cricket in India Affect the Number of Bets?
Indian betting sites offer global and local sports for bettors. But, when it comes to betting, cricket is the most sought-after sport.
According to a study, India’s online betting market is increasing because of the immense popularity of the game.
The National cricket team has many iconic players throughout, which adds to the trust and credibility of this team and attracts more people to bet on cricket.
In some states, betting is also legalized, leading to an increase in bets, and there is a massive potential customers. With the beginning of IPLs in 2008, it became easier for bettors to stake their money for a lesser time.
An IPL match, in comparison to other cricket matches, is played quickly, and the stakeholders know their results faster. This adds to the increasing popularity of cricket in the Indian betting world.
The Future of Betting in Indian Cricket
Now, as you all know why cricket is famous in India, there is no doubt about its immense popularity among betting lovers. The invention of digital technology has further added to the increased betting count.
With one-day matches, T20s, and IPL matches, this is the only sport that keeps sports and betting lovers entangled throughout the year.
Overall, with the emotional attachment of fans and the easy accessibility of online platforms, the betting market for cricket in the country will keep rising.
