My Substack piece on five key interventions that has made Indian Cricket what it is today!
Ever since India lifted the ICC T20 men’s World Cup on March 8th in Ahmedabad by defeating New Zealand in a one-sided final, there have been numerous podcasts, interviews, TV debates, and discussions about how India has now built a “System” for its cricket. A system that ensures, regardless of the format, team, or conditions, India emerges as the winner or, at worst, the challenger.
For several decades, India has been a dominant force in world cricket. However, this dominance has primarily been about attracting viewers and generating revenue. It is only recently that, alongside its financial strength, India has begun to dominate the sport on the field with consistent wins in ICC events. India did not achieve this level of dominance overnight. This is a result of a combination of factors that have gradually helped India reach this position over a long period.
There have been individual cricketers across eras who have contributed in their own way to elevating Indian cricket. There have been administrators who have played crucial roles. There have been spectacular moments of success for the Indian team, such as the 1983 World Cup win, the 2007 T20 World Cup victory, and the overseas series win against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2019, which have, in some way or other, shaped the destiny of Indian cricket. But this piece is not about individual cricketers or administrators, or these wins that served as stepping stones, but about policy or strategic interventions that proved pivotal in India’s cricket journey and played a key role in “Systemising” Indian cricket. Let me explain each of them in its chronological order.
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