Why cricket is not the global sport that Football is?

The Football world cup is on, and the world is witnessing a global extravaganza. Even the cricket mad Indian public is enthralled by the Drogbas, the Messis and the Ronaldos. Cricket seems to have taken a backseat for the time being. Although this could be also attributed to the fact that no big series was scheduled till now. But i have often wondered why cricket could not become the global phenomenon that is football.

One of the major reasons is that cricket is a very complicated game with a lot of tough rues which are very difficult for a beginner to understand. Football on the other hand is more simple to understand. Cricket is also a very costly game and requires substantial investment in kits which involves bat, balls, pad, helmet, wickets etc. Football again trumps cricket because all that is required to beginning playing football is well, just a ball.

Football has a rich history and has been played in many countries since decades. Its supposed to be the game of the masses. Cricket was thought of a gentleman’s game and supposed to be reserved for the elite. It was thus not widely popular among the common masses, another reason why it got left behind in comparison to football.

The FIFA have also left no stone unturned in reaching the smaller underprivileged nations and funding them appropriately such that the game grows at the grass-root levels. The cricket administrators have long been very nosy and have looked at the entrance of other newer teams as a threat to their supremacy. This has resulted in poor funding and hence the game hasn’t been caught on by the nations apart from the few who already play it at an elite level.

While one hopes that cricket someday turns a new leaf and becomes even more popular then it is today, it looks difficult to achieve that aim due to the inefficient administration and other difficulties which are mentioned above. For the while though, even cricket crazy nations are glued to their TV sets for the FIFA world cup. Lets hope India has a representative their soon.