India wins Cricket World Cup, underlining its dominance in the sport
India won the Men’s Cricket World Cup on Saturday, beating South Africa, ending a dry spell of tournament victories that had lasted more than a decade, even as the country dominated the sport globally in other areas such as talent, money and influence.
The tournament was played on several Caribbean islands, with a few matches hosted in the United States, including at a pop-up stadium in New York. When the final ended in Barbados and India were declared champions, it was almost midnight at home, with cheerful crowds pouring onto the streets in several cities.
“Maybe it will sink in in a few hours but it’s a great feeling,” said India captain Rohit Sharma, who was given a tour of the stadium with his daughter on his shoulders to thank the crowd. “To cross the line — it feels great for everyone.”
It was a hard-fought and highly emotional match for India, partly because many of the senior players, including the 37-year-old Sharma, were nearing the end of their careers. India last won the World Cup in T20, the shortest format of cricket, in 2007, when Sharma was just starting out. The top prize had also eluded Virat Kohli, 35, one of cricket’s most famous icons. Rahul Dravid, India’s coach, had never won a World Cup during his long and illustrious playing career.
All three men ended the evening on a cheerful note, with Sharma and Kohli announcing their retirement from the fast-paced, short-form version of the game. Dravid, who has ended his stint as India coach, is normally a calm, stoic presence. But after the victory he shouted and celebrated.
Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi both congratulated the team. “On the field, you won the World Cup. But in the villages, streets and communities of India, you won the hearts of our countrymen,” Mr. Modi said in a video message.
Cricket, followed by hundreds of millions of people, is a crucial part of India’s global brand – perhaps even more important than the country’s film industry. Cricket’s governing body in India has sometimes been accused of using its outsized economic influence to dictate the terms surrounding global cricket events, reflecting its status as the richest contributor and destination for the world’s best players.
The launch of the Indian Premier League in 2007 transformed a sport once seen as slow and cash-strapped. In just 17 years, the league’s brand value has surpassed $10 billion, making it one of the richest sports leagues in the world. Players routinely earn contracts worth more than $1 million for a season that lasts around eight weeks, with some of the highest-paid contracts fetching nearly $3 million.
Last year, India launched the IPL’s sister league, the Women’s Premier League, with $500 million – an investment similar to that which started the men’s league – and is already expanding opportunities for women in India and for talent from around the world world. The league’s wealth has led to more grassroots investment to develop more players. Female players, long in the shadows of the men’s game, are now getting brand endorsements, more TV viewers and thousands turning up for their matches in stadiums.
And the foreign players in both competitions – all with large followings at home – are a boost to India’s public relations, as they travel around to play and use social media to express their admiration for the culture of a hugely diverse country .
In India, a country where cricket reigns supreme and the players are closely watched on and off the field, many stars from this generation are role models who can help the country move forward on social issues, especially in a public life that is still dominated by men.
Sharma, the captain, who is married to a sports management professional, and Kohli, who is married to an actor, often talk about the role of their partners in their careers. Sharma’s wife, Ritika Sajdeh, and their daughter are often by his side during tours, while Kohli is often seen video calling his family from the stadium after matches.
“Our daughter’s biggest concern was whether all the players had someone to hug them after seeing them crying on TV,” said Anushka Sharma, Kohli’s wife. posted on social media after the victory.
Jasprit Bumrah, who was named the World Cup’s most valuable player, conducted his post-award interview with his wife, broadcaster Sanjana Ganesan. This was a working couple on tour. Behind them, during the festivities, their 10-month-old baby was nursed in a stroller.
“Thank you so much for talking to us, Jasprit, and all the best for—” Ms. Ganesan began as she wrapped up the interview. But her husband went in for a hug before she finished speaking, then ran back to join his teammates in celebration.
