For vast populations inhabiting the subcontinent, cricket is the game. As the World Cup starts in October, cricket is expected to dominate almost everything for the next seven weeks. Babra Wani offers details of how it is going to impact diplomacy and business
The cricketing world will soon descend upon India for the most prestigious tournament in the sport – the World Cup. A decade ago in 2011, India etched its name in cricketing lore by clinching the trophy on home soil under the captaincy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Their six-wicket triumph over Sri Lanka marked India’s second World Cup title, having won their maiden crown under Kapil Dev in 1983.
As enthusiasts eagerly await the upcoming edition, the stage is set for a thrilling opener at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium – a rematch of the previous final between England and New Zealand.
The Grand Tournament
The World Cup returns to India this fall, commencing on October 5, and culminating in the final on November 19. Ten national teams – Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka – are primed to vie for the coveted trophy.
England, the defending champions, clinched the last World Cup in 2019 against New Zealand. They also hold the T20 World Cup title won in 2022, underscoring their billing as pre-tournament favourites. With a settled squad led by the dependable Jos Buttler, England will be looking to create history by holding both the ODI and T20 World Cups simultaneously.
In a notable absence, the West Indies, two-time World Cup winners, failed to qualify this time. The team once exalted as one of cricket’s greatest, triumphed in the first two editions of the 50-over World Cup. Their glory days now appear behind them after a steady decline in recent years.
This year marks a milestone as India will exclusively host the entire tournament across various stadia. Previously, it had co-hosted the World Cup with other nations in 1987, 1996 and 2011.
The World Cup comes at an opportune time for India to consolidate its clout as cricket’s financial hub. With the Indian Premier League (IPL) generating immense revenue, India has emerged as the nerve centre of the cricketing world. Hosting the World Cup presents a perfect stage to augment this status.
Cricket’s Ultimate Rivalry
No rivalry in international cricket carries the weight and history of India versus Pakistan. Their storied contest, deeply intertwined with the nation’s history, has witnessed seven World Cup clashes, all won by India. However, Pakistan edges ahead in the overall head-to-head record.
This year, the arch-rivals will renew acquaintances on October 14, at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, the home ground of the Prime Minister. Their last World Cup meeting was at the 2022 T20 World Cup in Melbourne, won by India.
The India-Pakistan clash generated tremendous interest, almost attaining the status of a de facto final rather than a group-stage match. Irrespective of the two teams’ overall performance in the tournament, this specific game takes on a life of its own.
As the tournament unfolds, India’s first match will be against Australia, while Pakistan debuts against the Netherlands. Notably, only two squad members, Mohammad Nawaz and Salman Ali Agha have previously toured India. The remaining thirteen will be making their maiden trip for a cricket event, underscoring the hype surrounding the clash.
For Pakistani fans, the team’s previous barren run against India adds further spice and a burning desire to set the record straight. Meanwhile, Indian fans expect Kohli and company to extend their dominance over the old foe. The sheer depth of India’s batting amplifies optimism among their supporters.
The Cricketing Diplomacy
In a world fraught with geopolitical tensions, few rivalries parallel the complex history between India and Pakistan. Yet amidst discord and strife, cricket has often presented a sacred ground for diplomacy and rapprochement.
However, the recently concluded Asia Cup 2023, won by India, proved less conducive for bridging ties. Originally meant to be hosted by Pakistan, the tournament underwent a last-minute shift to Sri Lanka at India’s behest over security concerns.
Najam Sethi, former chairperson of the Pakistan Cricket Board, expressed disappointment over the decision. Sethi had advocated for the UAE as an alternative venue but cited weak excuses by the Asian Cricket Council to accommodate Sri Lanka.
Relations between the cricket boards have also experienced ups and downs based on the political climate. However, the financial incentives of India-Pakistan matches tend to supersede other factors.
With the India-Pakistan World Cup match scheduled in Ahmedabad, reports suggest massive security deployment given the heavy stakes. The clash generates tremendous economic activity but also evokes strong passions on both sides of the border.
Pakistan last toured India for a T20 World Cup match in 2016. The last bilateral series was nearly 11 years ago in 2012, underscoring the rarity of contests between the uneasy neighbours.
The recent gunfight in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district led to calls for cancelling the match over security fears. However, cricket prevailed with Pakistan receiving visas. Videos showed fans warmly welcoming the visiting contingent, underscoring the sport’s power to bridge divides.
Ensuring security at major events is always the biggest challenge. With the epic clash in Ahmedabad, reports point to heightened security measures to preclude any untoward incident. Police are actively monitoring hotels, stadiums and potential hotspots to maintain peace.
The Windfall
With fans traversing the globe, India’s financial sector expects a windfall from the World Cup. The tourism and hospitality sectors, in particular, anticipate an uptick in foreign visitors.
Reports suggest hotels are already booked ahead of the India-Pakistan match. Some estimate this World Cup will generate Rs 1.6 billion in revenue, surpassing previous tournaments.
The BCCI has reportedly invested Rs 500 crore in upgrading the ten host stadiums. The massive investments underscore India’s determination to deliver a smooth, glitch-free tournament. State-of-the-art facilities at the new stadiums will also enrich the experience for fans.
The International Cricket Council has also substantially increased the prize money, with the winning team garnering four crore rupees. The hefty incentives will spur teams to showcase their absolute best throughout the marquee event.
Airlines and travel companies are also cashing in by offering special World Cup travel packages. Pitched as once-in-a-lifetime experiences, these packages allow fans to soak in the cricket frenzy at prime locations.
With the World Cup coinciding with the festive season, spending is expected to rise across the board. Retail outlets, malls and markets have all geared up to cater to the celebratory mood.
The Kashmir Angle
Despite no matches in Kashmir, the World Cup spotlights the region’s famed willow bats. Kashmir-made bats have undergone testing in international matches after getting ICC approval two years ago.
Reports suggest Kashmir’s bat manufacturing industry has produced over three million bats in the past two months, doubling sales. The exponential rise underscores the bats’ growing popularity at the highest level. Top players keen to have an edge are opting for the acclaimed Kashmir willow.
On the flip side of it, Kashmiri students remain in sharp focus during the major cricketing events. Students’ groups often issue advisories urging extra precautions. During previous India-Pakistan games, some hot-headed fans have accosted Kashmiri students, creating a volatile situation.
The authorities have been making efforts to sensitise students on both sides. Helplines have also been set up for Kashmiri pupils studying outside the valley to report any harassment or intimidation attempts. Ensuring their safety remains a priority.
The Fantasy Sports
India’s fantasy sports market, worth Rs 34,000 crore, has grown enormously due to cricket’s popularity. Reports suggest the industry will likely attract Rs 10,000 crore in foreign direct investment as it expands at breakneck speed.
The lucrative market has spawned a range of fantasy cricket platforms like Dream11, Mobile Premier League, MyCircle11 and MyTeam11. Top players are also getting onboard, investing in fantasy sports startups.
Millions of fans are expected to engage in fantasy cricket games during the World Cup. Users can pick their virtual teams and win big prizes based on real-match performances.
According to some projections, the user base could rise by 30-40 per cent during the World Cup as casual fans also dabble in fantasy cricket. With corporations also hosting internal contests, participation is slated to massively increase.
By 2020, the market could be worth Rs 118.8 billion with 100 million users. The World Cup will likely accelerate growth as fans up their engagement on fantasy sports platforms.
In summary, the World Cup spotlights both the tremendous power and complexities of Indo-Pak cricket. While the financial windfalls and passions run high, diplomacy and rifts are never far from the surface. Ultimately, the festival of cricket will play out against this familiar paradoxical backdrop.
