You ask a 10-year-old kid in India what they wanna be when they grow up?
8 out of 10 will say:
“Cricketer.”
(Other 2 probably haven’t watched IPL yet.)
But this dream isn’t just about being rich or famous. It’s deeper.
Cricket in India is the golden ticket. The underdog story. The escape. The rebellion. The passion.
Let’s break down why this game means everything to us.
1. Because It’s the Only Thing That Feels Fair
Let’s be real — life in India isn’t always equal.
- Your school might suck.
- Your city might not have a single playground.
- You might not even own a proper bat.
But cricket?
One ball + one stick = full match.
Doesn’t matter where you’re from — if you can play, you’ll get noticed.
Hardik Pandya came from a Baroda chawl.
MS Dhoni took trains with a broken kit bag.
Jasprit Bumrah’s action was called “weird” until it became “unplayable”.
Cricket is the great Indian equalizer.
2. Because We All Start in the Gully
There’s no coaching in the beginning.
There’s just:
- One bat (chipped on both ends)
- A tennis ball with electrical tape
- Three bricks stacked as a stump
- And one guy always getting run out for arguing the rules
This is where reflexes are built.
This is where “ek bounce out”, “first ball trial”, and “last over me main batting” are sacred laws.
If you can survive 10 kids screaming over each other and still time a straight drive, you’re built for greatness.
3. Because Our Heroes Did It Too
None of our icons were born with silver spoons.
- Sachin learned on Shivaji Park’s dusty pitches.
- Kohli grew up sharing nets in West Delhi.
- Rohit Sharma lived in a single-room house with 3 other families.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal sold pani puris while scoring hundreds in school games.
We see their journey and think:
“If they can do it, maybe I can too.”
That maybe keeps the dream alive.
4. Because Cricket = Status in the Hood
Let’s be honest — if you’re good at cricket in your area:
- You get respect.
- People shout your name when you walk to the crease.
- You don’t have to bowl in underarm games anymore. You’re the main guy.
It’s not just about being picked. It’s about being looked up to — even if it’s just on your street.
5. Because It’s More Than a Game
- It’s how we make friends.
- It’s how we fight without violence.
- It’s how we express ourselves when nothing else makes sense.
For millions of kids, cricket is the only way to dream big.
Not everyone makes it to the top — but everyone gets to feel something real along the way.
Final Thoughts
The gully is more than a pitch. It’s a training ground for life.
If you’ve ever swung a bat with slippers as pads, if you’ve ever dived for a catch on concrete, you’re part of this story.
Cricket in India isn’t a sport. It’s the original hustle.
