When we were little kids, studying in school we learnt that hockey is the national game of India. But is hockey considered the most popular sport in our country? Well, as we all know cricket is still considered India’s most beloved sport. Its popularity has no bounds, captivating the hearts and minds of millions across the nation. In Elite Homz, young children play cricket every day joyfully, with a spirit of winning. On weekends adults too play cricket, setting a good example for future generations. Cricket is a religion for many Indian citizens but do we know the history of this sport?
According to experts’ opinion, cricket may have been invented during Saxon or Norman times by children living in the Weald, an area of dense woodlands and clearings in south-east England. The first reference to cricket being played as an adult sport was in 1611, and the same year, a dictionary defined cricket as a boys’ game. Cricket has been a beloved pastime in English villages for centuries. By the middle of the 17th century, the sport had evolved significantly, leading to the formation of the first English county teams in the latter half of the century. The teams employed local experts from village cricket as the earliest professionals, further driving the growth of the sport. In 1709, the teams began using county names in matches, cementing the sense of community and pride associated with the sport. In the first half of the 18th Century, cricket established itself as a leading sport in London and the south-eastern counties of England. The sport slowly gained popularity in other parts of England. Women’s cricket dates back to 1745, when the first known match was played in Surrey. Cricket was then introduced to North America via the English colonies as early as the 17th century, and in the 18th century, it arrived in other parts of the globe. It was introduced to the West Indies by colonists and to India by British East India Company mariners. It arrived in Australia almost as soon as colonisation began in 1788 and the sport reached New Zealand and South Africa in the early years of the 19th century.
In India, Calcutta Cricket Club was first formed in 1792 for Europeans only. Indians soon began to play. Cricket with the game taking prominence in Bombay,the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was formed in 1928 and India finally made its test debut in 1932, after which a national competition followed in 1934. It was named the Ranji Trophy after KS Ranjitsinhji. Cricket has become an integral part of Indian culture today, winning the hearts of citizens with its thrilling and exciting game play
