500+ Words Essay on Cricket – My Favourite Game
You Don’t Play For The Crowd; You Play For The Country. – Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Stadiums, cheers, bat, ball, pitch, wide, sixer, umpire, spin, that’s right! I’m talking about cricket. Cricket in India is not just a sport. It is an emotion; it is a religion. Cricket is one game that holds captive every person, be it a child or even our grandparents.
It has something in store for all the age groups. It was first played in the 16th century in South East England. Cricket was initially brought in India by the British during the British Raj. The British took the game of cricket with them to every country that they ruled.
It’s highest governing body is the International Cricket Council or ICC for short. The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) is the national governing body for cricket in India, and its current president is India’s favourite DADA, Sourav Ganguly.
Formats of Cricket
There are various formats of cricket that are played. The most traditional one being test cricket which is liked by all traditionalists. The players play in all-white jerseys and must bowl out all the batsmen of the opposing side. It lasts for over five days. India stands as the number one ranking team in test cricket.
Another format is the ODI, which is One Day International. The game continues for 50 overs to be bowled per side. England stands first in ODI rankings followed by India. The newer and more entertaining form is T20. Each side plays twenty overs each. The main reason for this format getting popular is that the matches wind up in about 3 hours. People do not have time to watch long hours of cricket and are happy to witness matches that take up less time from their busy schedules. Pakistan holds the first rank in T20 rankings.
India also hosts the Indian Premier League which is a favourite of the audience worldwide because of a mix of local as well as international players and smaller match duration.
Benefits of playing Cricket
Various benefits can be associated with playing cricket. It helps in keeping our heart healthy and increasing blood circulation in the body. Gone are the days when obesity was a significant problem in only the United States.
Many countries, including India, have also started seeing an increase in obesity. Playing cricket can help reduce body fat and keep one fit and in shape. Playing this sport also helps you to cope up with stress in daily life.
It aids in releasing it and enables you to control your body and mind much better. Your self-confidence is boosted, and you learn how to coordinate with others. There is a surge in your stamina, and you tend to concentrate better.
Cricket also serves as a very attractive career. It pays well and helps give you an identity that you and your countrymen can be proud of. Many cricketers after retiring have also started their own academies.
Best Examples of Sportsmanship
On and off the field, cricket and its players have shown tremendous examples of excellent sportsmanship. Let us look at some of them.
In a match against Zimbabwe, New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori collided by mistake with the batsman at the non-striker’s end. The striking batsman had come almost halfway after hitting the ball, but since Vettori had collided with his partner, they could not make a run. His bails were removed easily by the wicket keeper, and they all appealed an out. But Vettori, soon realising what had happened, went and explained it to his teammates and the umpire and asked them to reverse the decision. He even won the Spirit of Cricket Award for this gesture.
Once in a match against Sri Lanka, India’s top opening batsmen Sachin Tendulkar and Virendra Sehwag were out for a mere 23 runs. It was Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli who put up a massive partnership and steadied the boat for India. It was also Virat Kohli’s maiden century in a One Day International. It was Gautam Gambhir who was declared the Man of the Match, but he decided to give his trophy to the young Virat Kohli for showing excellent perseverance and standing side by side with him when India was in such a tight spot.
In a 2015 world cup semi-final match between New Zealand and South Africa, New Zealand needed 12 runs off six balls. The captain of the South African team gave the responsibility of bowling the last over to Dale Steyn. The over went on, and New Zealand needed five runs to win off two balls. Dale bowled one of his full-length balls, and New Zealand’s Grant Elliott sent it straight into the crowd. Steyn fell to the floor almost paralysed, and the horror of losing such a crucial match could be seen right in his eyes. Elliott, before celebrating the big win, went straight to Steyn and gave me a hand. In an interview afterwards, he even said that I could feel only compassion for Dale Steyn and the whole South African team.
Cricket history is filled with such examples that show us that this is indeed a gentleman’s game.
Increasing commercialisation in Cricket
Cricket is a major sport in the world, and it is not just played by players and enjoyed by spectators anymore. It has also become a market. The Indian Premier League (IPL) is an event which gave rise to the betting practice in India. Players have also been accused of match-fixing. More and more players and teams have become open to sponsorship, and the organisers earn millions in revenue from their various sponsors.
Conclusion
At least once in life, an Indian child dreams about becoming a cricketer and representing his or her country at the international front. Players in India are worshipped, and some even treat them like gods. They never fail to praise their favourite players and always make grand gestures as fans to their beloved cricketers.
But they are also the first ones to throw stones at them and make accusations when India loses. Sachin Tendulkar was once quoted as saying that when people throw stones at you, make sure you turn them into milestones.
India has witnessed some of the best cricketers ever to set foot in this world including Sachin Tendulkar, Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar. All of these players have three things in common; perseverance, a will to do hard work and love for their country and its people.
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