how much cricket is too much cricket
15 years ago, Dhoni captained the Indian team to victory against the Sri Lankan Lions for the first time on the island. As a sports industry professional, what's remarkable about the image above is the commotion behind the boundary line, rather than the stunning batting partnership. Given an opportunity, not a single Indian would have passed on tickets to watch this feat live in the stadium, mere meters away from their undisputed heroes.
What cricket has managed to achieve for the Indian sports industry is truly spectacular, something not many have managed outside the envious American sports industry. Cut to- January 2023, the subcontinental battle is underway at the legendary Wankhede Stadium and the men in blue are laboring to put bums in seats. The basic laws of supply and demand would warrant for fewer bilateral series to be held across the year, but the pandemic hit the sports entertainment industry like 'the' iceberg. And in efforts to keep (cri)Kate alive, the romance might be drowning slowly.
A potential solution could be the switch to commercial sports. Let cricketers play multiple leagues through the year, coming together seldomly as our boys in blue. A global free market for cricketers to work and earn like any other profession. Is the answer less cricket? Or more cricket, but just a different type of cricket? The WPL (women's premier league) is coming soon, and who knows? This could be the lifeboat that never reached Jack.