CRICKET AT A GLANCE

Introduced in later half of the fifteenth century ,the game of cricket won many hearts despite being a source of recreation amidst the higher strata of Englishmen.Gentleman's game gained popularity as time passed by , people were keen to learn and adapt technicality associated with it. Evolved in England , the game soon infected other sections of the globe and soon turned into a sport.After England , Australian shores were entangled by the flames of cricket.The first official five match test series was played amidst Australia and England.

Decades passed and the game soon gripped the entire world , including the sub continent . Prudential cups were introduced which bought cricketing nations on a common platform to showcase their talent.Technological advancements further added to the beauty of the game and made it reach every nook and corner.Thousands of players emerged and played cricket at its very best. Some retired fewer stayed , what they left was a never ending spirit and enthusiasm which was imbibed by the descendants.Indian soil heard cricketing music in the colonial rule.It was a match amidst Englishmen and Indian localites that made the game popular among the masses.

A very unusual fact is that the country which initiated the game has never won the world cup , Australia being the one to have won the most followed by West Indies.India managed to win the cup only once in the year 1983 under the captaincy of one of the best all rounders produced KAPIL DEV.In the course of the game India and Pakistan emerged as arch rivals , so did Australia and England.The infamous body line tour did become a eye candy but it was only the beginning of the worst.

Flair play was soon replaced by sledging and cheating .Spot and match fixing became common.Not only the nature but the format too underwent a drastic change .The journey from 5 day games to T-20 internationals was not so smooth yet acceptable.Cricket still steals many hearts and undoubtedly is the pulse of Indian sport.