What was once primarily a leisurely day-long or even multi-day activity is now a high-energy spectacle that has attracted millions of fans and spectators from around the world. However, it is inevitable that games will change as the years go by.
Long gone are the days when fans huddled around radios or spent entire weekends glued to Test matches. Today’s fans are different. We now live in an era dominated by technology where fans are always active and have plenty of choice when it comes to how they follow the sport. Let’s look at some of the ways they now enjoy the game.
From stadium roars to screen time
Once upon a time, being a cricket fan meant hauling yourself to a stadium with a picnic basket and a flag, ready to lose your voice cheering. These days, most fans prefer their couch or even their commute, which is good news for introverts and those who simply don’t have the time or luxury to attend a game.
Luckily, there are now streaming services like Hotstar and Kayo, so fans can catch every ball. It doesn’t matter whether you are at home, in a café or stuck in traffic — though maybe don’t admit to the last one.
There are also gambling sites that have recent offers for Indian players who love to check out the odds of games live. Did you miss a match? Zero worries. With HD broadcasts and streaming apps, fans can pause, rewind or even skip straight to the best bits.
You’ll find highlights everywhere, and let’s be honest, sometimes that’s really all we care about. Watching cricket is now more about how comfortable you feel watching a game, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Shorter formats
While Test cricket is a beautiful, slow burn, not everyone has the patience for five days of play. It’s a different time we live in and we now have shorter formats like T20 in the mix to shake things up with something different from the usual.
These leagues have also made fans rethink loyalty. Suddenly, everyone’s mindset is now channeled towards supporting their countries and also backing their favorite franchise, even if it means cheering against their national heroes. It’s just a case of: “don’t hate the player, hate the game”.
Social media: The new cricket club
Those who are active on platforms like X, formerly known as Twitter, during a cricket match will be aware of just how much fans of the sport have taken over the internet. It’s hard to miss the funny memes and sharp banters, especially when the season is underway.
Yes, people argue about sports all the time, but you need to be in the company of those with similar interests or knowledge about the game to engage in a friendly banter. Social media has become the go-to place for fans to connect, argue and occasionally roast each other.
This major modern facelift involves how players are now part of the conversation. The power of social media has brought them closer to us and we no longer see them as untouchable stars. You can connect with your favorite player on Instagram, where they share workout routines and tweet about their favorite movies.
Fans can tag their cricketing idols and sometimes even get a reply. This just shows how much more connected people now are to the sport.
Creating fantasy leagues
Fantasy cricket has turned fans into part-time selectors. Apps like Dream11 let you build your dream team and rack up points based on how your players perform. Suddenly, that random tailender’s batting average matters way more than it should.
At this point, it feels more personal. Every single action counts on the pitch, and you anticipate the ones that will make your team better and climb higher on your fantasy league standings. If you think coaching is easy, this is the closest experience you’ll get to knowing what it feels like to be a coach, a strategist and a superfan all at once.
Women’s cricket stealing the spotlight
Cricket has become much more inclusive, particularly for all genders, which is a beautiful sight. Watching females play cricket no longer feels strange or unusual.
As a matter of fact, there’s now a premier league for women. Events like the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup have shown that cricket is no longer just a man’s sport.
At this point, many of us are familiar with players like Ellyse Perry and Smriti Mandhana, who have become names we’re used to hearing and are well on their way to becoming stars themselves.
More analytics and data
Cricket fans can now act as and become pundits thanks to the level of detail available to help analyze the game. Of course, this is made possible thanks to tools like Hawk-Eye and CricViz, where you can dissect player stats, predict match outcomes and argue over whether that LBW call was valid or not.
With the availability of these apps, there are fewer people just cheering blindly; every move, bowling angle and strike rate has become a debate. Sure, it can get intense, but it’s also made conversations about cricket way more interesting.
Blend of pop culture
No one doubts that cricket has changed over the years, particularly when it comes to combining movies, music and advertisements to enhance fans’ experience.
It has also been clear in T20 leagues that this is one way we have been able to merge cricket with entertainment. It also allows you to feel the live performances, celebrity endorsements and closer player-fan interaction, which is something most fans look forward to.
Final thoughts
With the ICC pushing the game into new territories, we’re seeing fans spring from various regions. You could literally be a fan anywhere, whether you are in Mumbai or Melbourne, it doesn’t matter. Cricket has a way of bringing people together — and that’s something truly special.
