3. Cricket is a highly lucrative business
Given its incredible popularity in India, cricket finds an extensive coverage in all forms of media, be it on television, in print, and even online. As a result, cricket matches and even cricketers themselves offer unique, highly lucrative advertising opportunities that more and more corporations are taking note of.
Endorsements and advertising have become an extremely profitable income stream for several cricketers in the country, while cricket tournaments in the country are also talked about on the international stage, offering huge exposure to domestic players as well. Other sports have not been able to match up to this level as yet. As a result, young children in the country look at the luxurious lives led by the top cricketing talent and are motivated to take up the sport themselves.
The advent of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008 played a huge part in catapulting India to the forefront of global cricketing coverage. Having the world’s best cricketers playing alongside national heroes and local talents in India every year has been huge for Indian cricket, both financially and in terms of support from the fans. The IPL has established itself as the foremost domestic T20 franchise competition in the world, and the prospective earnings, as well as media interest, have never been higher.
