12/06/2024
Cricket is rapidly gaining popularity in the USA, with major attention from outlets like The New York Times and figures like Drake during the currently ongoing ICC T20 cricket world cup.
India's IPL teams already own half of the franchises in the USA's premier T20 competition, reflecting their interest in the growing market.
The inclusion of cricket in the 2028 LA Olympics, partly influenced by Indian superstar Virat Kohli's social media following, and the BCCI secretary's visit to NFL offices, highlight this trend.
The USA's rich and diverse diaspora has been enthusiastic, creating lively atmospheres at the games in several locations around the nation. In Long Island, crowds have flocked to a pop-up stadium, while in Dallas, Nepal's team received overwhelming support.
India-Pakistan games drew large crowds, including a watch party at Citi Field, home of the New York Mets. Nearly 23,000 fans attended the Bangladesh-South Africa match.
Exciting finishes and surprising upsets have increased public interest, with the USA team contributing by kicking off the tournament spectacularly.
USA's gun-batsman Aaron Jones's impressive performances, including in a win against Pakistan, have fueled local excitement. While the USA's match against India today may not have a fairytale ending, the team's undefeated status and chance to advance to the Super Eights are remarkable achievements.