Cricket vs Football
By Vimal Kapoor
During my trips outside the country, I am often asked by sports enthusiasts about the Indian fixation with cricket and cold shoulder for football. I think apart from the fact that we are not so good at football hence lukewarm attitude, there are innumerable other reasons too!
Cricket in India isn’t just a sport; it’s an emotion, a way of life, a national passion. For decades, it has been the heartbeat of Indian sports culture, eclipsing all other forms of entertainment. Football, while growing steadily in certain pockets, still has a long way to go to match cricket’s widespread affection. But why does cricket hold such an unwavering position of dominance in India?
The roots of cricket in India can be traced back to the British colonial period in the 18th century. The game was introduced by British soldiers and administrators, and it soon took hold of the local population. While football was also introduced by the British, cricket’s appeal was deeper, possibly because it echoed more with the Indian temperament and culture. The British left behind more than just cricket grounds—they left a legacy that evolved into something uniquely Indian.
Cricket, though popular, was not such a rage in the seventies. The iconic moments in Indian cricket have played a significant role in skyrocketing its popularity. India’s cricket heroes, from Kapil Dev’s 1983 World Cup victory to Sachin Tendulkar’s record-breaking career, to Virat Kohli’s passion and aggression have been woven into the cultural fabric of the nation. The 1983 World Cup, in particular, was a game-changer. It sparked a cricket revolution, turning the sport into a unifying force that brought together people from all walks of life. Watching the underdog Indian team defeat the mighty West Indies was a moment that transcended the boundaries of sport and became part of the national psyche.
Do you remember Sachin’s six over deep point off Rawalpindi express Shoaib Akhtar bowling at 150 km, which brought tears of joy to thousands of eyes? Football can indeed give great moments of high-octane action, but how exciting is it to watch Anil Kumble take all ten wickets against Pak at Kotla, the magician at his scintillating best! From wrist spin to finger spin, from traditional swing to reverse swing, from delectable late cut to majestic cover drive, cricket has so many finer points to appreciate. If cricket is about silken touch, then football is all about brute strength. I feel, if watching football is like consuming a delicious loaded Mac Burger, then enjoying cricket is like having proper lavish Amritsari Punjabi food with kulfi to finish off proceedings.
India’s love for cricket also spans across regional boundaries. It doesn’t matter if you’re in the north, south, east, or west—cricket is played and loved everywhere. The shared passion for cricket is a unifying force that goes beyond language, religion, and social status. Football, despite its growing presence, still struggles to break the barriers of regionalism and caste in many parts of India.
Brazil vs Argentina, Germany vs England are some of the best rivalries in soccer, but, when it comes to the mother of all rivalries, nothing can ever come near Pakistan vs India in cricket, or even hockey. Who can forget the juggling catch that Sreesanth took to dismiss Misbah-ul-Haq in the T-20 World Cup final to beat Pakistan. It was almost midnight and Rajpur Road was absolutely barren as if there was a curfew on. As soon as the last wicket fell, the cricket fans simply poured out of nowhere and the entire town seemed to gather at the Clock Tower, waving the Tricolor proudly with posters of Yuvi, Sachin and Dhoni all around. I remember we lingered on till 3 in the morning, before coming back home, head held high!
Footballers complain that size and strength are becoming too great a factor, especially in the English Premier League, where finesse players are less impactful. In addition to this, even legends like Maradona and Pele have struggled against physically imposing defenders. In cricket, men as tall as Chris Gayle and Joel Gardner, or as short as Sachin Tendulkar have found their places as legends of the game. Even spinners, for example Yajuvendra Chahal and Rashid Khan, are physically poles apart yet both are masters of their art.
With due apologies to Bhaichung Bhutia and Sunil Chettri, Cricket in India is more of a craze and fascination and the reasons are obvious. Football might be more popular in Europe but in India it can never compete with cricket. The reverence for cricket and cricketers is overwhelming. It is often rightly said that cricket is an Indian game accidentally invented by Englishmen!
(Vimal Kapoor, a Dehradun resident, is passionate about literature, creative writing, cricket and exploration through travel)
