K

Komal Verma

Updated on May 9, 2026•sports

Why is cricket more popular in India as compared to other sports?

4
9 Answers
A
Ajay Paswan
Answered on Dec 25, 2017

That’s how it has always been. Like since inception, cricket has been perceived as more appealing than other sports. And with personalities like that of Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Azhar, Sehwag, Dravid, Sachin, Dhoni and more, its popularity only spiked high.

As far the other sports are concerned, in recent times, they did have climbed up in the spotlight. Like football, MMA, tennis and even badminton boasts a massive following today. Nothing, however, comparable to cricket.

Media always focus more on cricket. Sponsors always put more money in cricket matches. So people get to hear, see more of cricket. And since more people are watching this sport, more sponsors and media will invest in and talk about it. It’s like a cycle.

But it’s not bad. We shouldn’t be complaining about it. Like in Brazil, Soccer is more popular; in USA, Football (rugby) is at the top; people in Canada obsess Ice Hockey. Every country leans toward particular sport.

All we need is a bit more boost, encouragement and investment in other sports to get the cricket-like cycle started for them.
3
R
rishab sachar
Answered on Nov 23, 2018
All test playing nations(except subcontinent teams) have won/achieved something in some other sport than cricket.

India won Cricket World Cup in 1983. I believe Cricket was not that popular in India before 1983. As Indians were World Champs, many were inspired to play cricket.

After this World Cup, Indians didn't performed to the expectations and popularity was fading. Then something special happened on November 15, 1989. Sachin Tendulkar made his debut in International cricket.

India saw a rising star and he was exceptionally good. Sachin performed so well that in 90's India was one man army. For most of the time in his career "Sachin kitne par hai?" (English: How many runs Sachin scored?) mattered more than the result of the game.

3
K
kunal jaiswal
Answered on Nov 24, 2018
The very nature of the game

Indians have always been fascinated with epics. The Mahabharat and Ramayan are read by people of all religions and both became runaway successes when they were turned into TV shows. More importantly, those two epics are deeply embedded into the psyche of a vast majority of Indians.

A cricket Test match, with its timelessness, leisurely pace and the option of a middle path (the draw) might have been some of the reasons why so many people in India took to the game so enthusiastically. A tightly-contested game of cricket is often called an epic.

India did not have a competitive Test team for a long time but the popularity of the game remained high and that is probably down to the fact that in the early years, Indian fans followed the game for the unique features that the game had to offer.

1
S
Shubham sharma
Answered on Nov 26, 2018
Cricket is a hard game to stage at a professional level than most other sports. As Sudhir Syal has observed it's easy to play in lanes, backyards etc (and as an Aussie I'd have to add- on the beach) but in order to stage a world standard game a large oval is required with a prepared pitch in the middle. A cricket pitch is a ***** of grass in the centre of the oval which has to be carefully curated and looked after over a period of time in order to acquire the right surface to sustain a (reasonably) regular bounce for five days.

Australia has a lot of land and hundreds of dedicated ovals which host football matches (of various codes) over winter and then in summer can be dedicated, full time cricket grounds with prepared pitches in the middle. Cricket grounds need to be dedicated cricket grounds for an entire season and there aren't many countries that have fields that can spend six months hosting cricket games.

The pitch problem is the reason cricket can't be played at Olympic level (even though it's frequently suggested) and the reason it's so hard to promote in other countries.

1
R
rajat visual
Answered on Nov 28, 2018
The fact that it is so easy to play

It's doesn't cost much to play cricket. Even someone from a humble background can easily pursue cricket. Players just need to arrange a bat and ball to play the game. Most players in India start their cricketing careers by playing gully cricket in their localities. Though the ball used in international cricket is a leather ball, gully cricket is played with a tennis ball or a taped ball.

1
K
Kiran kumar
Answered on Dec 27, 2018
Cricket today is a Religion in India. It's a string that joins Indians like nothing else in todays world. Nonetheless, it didn't accomplish this status in multi day, it was a long adventure to this point. A great deal of good and bad times in the adventure.

Cricket was acquainted with India by Brits, at some point in mid 1700's. The principal Indian Cricket Club "Oriental Cricket Club" began in 1848 and this you can call the beginning of Indian Cricket. By 1912 the other Indian groups that developed were for the most part dependent on religions - Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs, alongside the European and Parsees., who played a Quadrangular arrangement consistently.

1
R
Rabeel Ahmed
Answered on Jan 1, 2019
Better infrastructure

Compared to other sports, cricket has more number of coaching centres in the entire country. This factor is hugely responsible in drawing more and more young children, who aspire to be future cricketers.

Similarly, almost in each and every state there is at least one world class cricket stadium present whereas if we take a peek into football and hockey, there are only a few FIFA accredited stadiums and genuine astroturfs respectively, present in India.

This important factor also contributes to the increased participation and popularity of the sport.

React
A
aman jaan
Answered on Jan 16, 2019

According to me .. cricket is best game in the world and all country like cricket according to other game.

All indian like to play cricket & love cricket.

React
M
Michael Jons
Answered on May 9, 2026

Cricket is more popular in India compared to other sports because it is not just a game here—it is almost like an emotion, a culture, and a shared national identity.

In India, cricket became popular during the British era and slowly turned into the country’s most loved sport. Over time, it became deeply rooted in society. Today, people don’t just watch cricket—they live it. From small villages to big cities, almost everyone follows matches, discusses players, and celebrates victories like festivals.

One big reason for cricket’s popularity is the success of the Indian team on the global stage. When India won major tournaments like the 1983 World Cup and the 2007 and 2011 ICC events, it created massive national pride. These moments made cricket a unifying force for a country with so much diversity.

Another important factor is the Indian Premier League (IPL). The IPL turned cricket into entertainment with fast-paced matches, celebrity involvement, and huge media coverage. It brought international stars and Indian players together, making the sport even more exciting for younger audiences.

Infrastructure also plays a role. Cricket is relatively easy to play—you just need a bat and ball, unlike many other sports that require specialized equipment or fields. This makes it accessible to almost everyone, especially in rural areas where resources for other sports may be limited.

Media and broadcasting have also boosted cricket’s popularity. Matches are shown live on TV, mobile apps, and streaming platforms, making it easy for fans to stay connected. Even people who don’t play cricket regularly still follow major matches closely.

In contrast, other sports like football, hockey, or basketball do have fans in India, but they don’t receive the same level of consistent attention, funding, or media exposure. Cricket dominates advertisements, sponsorships, and sports discussions.

In conclusion, cricket is more popular in India because of history, national success, accessibility, strong media coverage, and emotional connection. It has become more than just a sport—it is a shared experience that brings millions of people together across the country.

React