The tale of a major global cultural phenomenon: Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle describes the spectacular arrival of fast-paced 20-20 cricket as it parallels the rise of modern India.  He traces the game from its sleepy English roots to the current world of celebrity owners and million-dollar player contracts.

The rise of cricket, the rise of India

Cricket’s transformation from leisurely test matches to the electrifying T20 format mirrors India’s rapid modernization and growing global confidence. The Indian Premier League, launched with $2.3 billion before a single ball was bowled, brought together celebrity owners, international stars, and a spectacle that felt more like Bollywood than a British pastime. As city-based teams recruited talent from around the world and TV rights soared, cricket became both a symbol and a driver of India’s emergence as a cultural and economic powerhouse. The shortest form of the game helped turn India from a land of snake charmers into a stage for opportunity and global aspiration.