| Indian cricket has come along way since the first | | | | added more feathers to the Indian cricket cap. Indian |
| match recorded match in 1721 that was played | | | | cricket has always held a special place in the heart of |
| among some sailors in Western India. The first test | | | | every cricket enthusiast. Cricket lovers fondly talk |
| match was played by the Indian national team much | | | | about the 1960's and 70's when the Indian spin |
| later in 1932 at Lord's and it has been a long and | | | | quartet consisting of eminent Indian spin bowlers |
| fulfilling journey till date. Indian cricket has evolved | | | | Erapalli Prasanna, Srinivas Venkataraghavan, Bhagwat |
| into a much bigger proportion than simply a | | | | Chandrasekhar and Bishen Singh Bedi formed one of |
| 'gentleman's game'. In India it is more of a religion | | | | the most deadly combinations in world cricket. These |
| where the players are the gods. The passionate fans | | | | players had major contributions in elevating the |
| of indian cricket are spread across the globe and | | | | popularity of Indian cricket among the cricket fans. |
| they indulge in idol worship when the players win a | | | | The dismal performance of Indian team in the |
| match against the rival team. The same fans can | | | | recently concluded 2007 World cup has not been able |
| however demolish their gods when the performance | | | | to diminish the popularity and the adoration that the |
| has been poor and a match has been lost, especially | | | | Indian cricketers receive from their fans worldwide. |
| against equally popular rivals like Pakistan, Sri Lanka or | | | | The Indian cricket scenario has always been greatly |
| even Australia. Traditionally the Indian team has been | | | | unpredictable with the players performing in an |
| much stronger on home grounds than abroad and a | | | | inconsistent manner in every game and tournament in |
| track record of only 35 matches won out of the 196 | | | | which they have participated. The fans of Indian |
| matches played against Australia and England in the | | | | cricket are always assured of a passionate game and |
| first fifty years of Indian cricket, prove this point to | | | | nail-biting experience as the results of the match |
| a certain extent. The emergence of legendary figures | | | | remain unpredictable till the very end depending on |
| like Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev in the Indian cricket | | | | the unexpected performance of Indian cricketers. |
| scene saw India emerge as a formidable team in the | | | | The unpredictability of the game is perhaps a key |
| international scene. Indian cricket made its mark in the | | | | ingredient in the passion for the game. The fans have |
| world cricket scene by winning the prestigious World | | | | completely accepted the cricketers as one of their |
| Cup in 1983 under the able captaincy of Kapil Dev. | | | | own - their own gods who can be berated when |
| Some of the leading cricketers in the world are a | | | | they don't perform and worshipped when they do. |
| part of the Indian cricket team. International players | | | | This endearing relationship between the players and |
| like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid | | | | the fans of Indian cricket has given it a special place |
| and Anil Kumble who hold many world records have | | | | in the heart of every cricket enthusiast. |