The origin of cricket is believed to be from England, and the first cricket match ever played between teams from two countries was in 1877 between England and Australia. It was the first recorded test match, but the origins of cricket were far before that, with the first cricket match played in 1697 in Sussex, England. However, now the game is played in every part of the world, having been ranked as the second most loved sport after Football.
Although the game originated in England, it is more popular in Asia in countries like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. There are numerous leagues associated with the cricket sport played in all these countries. When we talk about the most popular cricket league, it is the Indian Premier League (IPL). IPL is a platform where international cricketers from almost every popular cricket-playing nation participate.
Cricketing Landscape in India and England
The core rules of cricket remain the same in every country, no matter which country you talk about, whether it is India, England, Australia, or any other cricket-playing nation. The cricketing landscape and experiences differ from country to country. In England, cricket is just a sport; however, in India, cricket is more than a sport and unites Indians. The Indian audience loves cricket from the bottom of their hearts.
One of the recent examples of Indians’ love for cricket was the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, won by India, which every Indian cricket fan enjoyed. However, the same fans were heartbroken when the Indian team ended up on the losing side in the Cricket World Cup 2023 final between the India and Australia.
A Talk about Spotlight on Cricketers in India and England
The spotlight is always on cricketers, and they can’t take the risk of going alone to any spot anywhere in India, especially Indian cricketers. You have seen instances of Indian cricketers getting clicked by the media and cricket fans wherever they go. However, the same is not the case for England cricketers when they roam in England, making them stress-free. Foreign cricketers, too, feel the heat, as they are recognised by Indian fans whenever they are in India, who want to take pictures with them.
Fans are essential for any sport to flourish, as they are the ones who make a sport popular. When it comes to popular sports in India, cricket takes the top position. The spotlight is always on you, whether it is fans or the mass media. After betting was made legal, betting sites in India have also started to focus on active cricketers to get the latest news on their health, where they go, what they eat, and more.
As a cricketer, primarily a renowned one, you can’t get the opportunity to roam freely in any place in India, as the camera is always behind you all the time. It becomes difficult for cricketers, especially Indian cricketers, to get some time for themselves. They are not allowed to have a walk in the city with full space on a busy Monday or any other day.
On the other hand, England cricketers’ lives are not like that when they are in their home country, as they can roam freely and no one is around them when they are not on the cricket field. Foreign cricketers have discussed the pressure they had during their time in India, but they love it. One of the Australian cricketers, named Marcus Stoinis, said, “I love playing in India; I love the culture- it’s an unmatched energy.”
The Crowd Pressure in India and England
The crowds that come to watch cricket matches in India and England have different opinions, as both crowds share a love for the sport. When things are going the players’ way, fans love it; however, when things are not going their way, the fans in India keep questioning the players’ place in the side. Let’s discuss it with an example.
Rohit Sharma, a renowned cricketer, is a prime example; he was in the limelight when, as captain, he helped the Indian men’s team lift the 2024 T20 World Cup trophy. However, he was criticized when the Indian men’s team ended up on the losing side in the 2024-2025 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. People started questioning Rohit’s place in the playing eleven.
Even cricket fans have no role in the selection of Rohit in the India-Australia test series, but they started talks of removing him from the team. This is the kind of crowd pressure that Indian cricketers can feel. It is not the case with England players who are not blamed by the people when they end up on the losing side or not performing well.
This was a look at the differing landscapes of cricket in India and England, from fan culture to media attention and crowd pressure. We also explored the intense spotlight that cricketers face in India compared to the relative calm in England. We hope you enjoyed reading this post. Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear from you.
