More than 130.000 fans watch the World Cup games in the stadium. © APA/afp / MONEY SHARMA

The sheer cricket madness: an entire country is freaking out

Hundreds of millions of people are in cricket fever right now. The World Cup in India is not only the highlight of this sporting year for the billion-strong population, but also captivates fans in many parts of the world. The organizers of the Olympics have long since discovered the huge business of sport.

12 October 2023

From: apa

Cricket will return to the program at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles after 128 years if the IOC gives its consent at its general assembly from Sunday in Mumbai.

The location of the IOC vote couldn't be more appropriate. Thanks to the World Cup, India is currently on a cricketing frenzy. On Saturday there will be a highly explosive duel with neighboring country and arch-rival Pakistan. The rush for the game is so high that arriving fans even booked overnight stays in hospitals due to the fully booked hotels in the Ahmedabad venue. A victory for India is fundamental for the World Cup atmosphere.

Pakistan's national team is escorted to the arena. © APA/afp / SAM PANTHAKY

Along with defending champions England, the hosts are among the ten participating teams among the favorites to triumph in the World Cup final, which is scheduled for November 19th after six weeks of tournament. 1,5 billion viewers will then be watching on TV screens worldwide. The importance of cricket in India can hardly be overestimated.

A billion dollar business

The British once brought cricket to their former colonies. Now sport is a billion dollar business - especially in India. The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most lucrative leagues ever with an annual turnover of around ten billion euros - twice as much as the German Bundesliga. The Olympic media rights in India are currently worth around 15,6 million pounds (18,06 million euros), wrote the British Guardian. However, with the addition of cricket, this number could increase to up to 150 million pounds (173,63 million euros).

In the IPL, some of the world's best professionals play in games called Twenty20, which are relatively short for cricket and only last a few hours - and not days like the original game played by the British colonial rulers. This format will also be played at the Olympics.

The stadium in Ahmedabad holds 132.000 spectators. © APA/afp / SAM PANTHAKY

Cricketers can become superstars and earn millions in South Asia. Former Pakistani professional Imran Khan even made it to the office of Prime Minister. This also shows the political dimensions of sport. In India, for example, Jay Shah, the son of Home Minister Amit Shah and one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's closest confidants, controls the local cricket board.
And when Modi was previously head of government of the state of Gujarat, he was also head of the local cricket board. Gujarat is also home to Ahmedabad's largest cricket stadium, named after Modi himself. The arena for 132.000 spectators not only hosts the important game against Pakistan, but also the final.

The big cricket stage also has sports-political significance for India. If the tournament is a success, it could strengthen the plans of the world's most populous country for its own Olympic bid. India could then become a competitor for Germany in the race for the 2036 Summer Games.