Yes

by Tisenh Jnr.

Created on: December 15, 2009

Long has been the absence of a national sport for India, but it is quite clear to see the inevitable choice of it being cricket. It has been said that if cricket was a religion, as it is to some in India, then Sachin Tendulkar, a living legend of 162 tests for India is God. This strongly held belief by the majority of the Indian supporters will surely bolster the proposition of cricket becoming the national sport of India.

Already we have seen a large amount of talent coming out of India, with current rising stars such as Ishant Sharma and Virat Kohli waiting in the wings to take the place of current stars such as M.S Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid. Not only has India seen a flood of talent at present but in the past we have seen cricketing greats in the forms of Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Mohammad Azharuddin. Theses players provide inspiration to the youth of India and their success and achievements provide an incentive for Indians take part in cricket.

The popularity of the sport increases everyday after the Indian Cricket team achieved a status of national heroes winning the World 20/20 title in 2007 and becoming joint winners of the ICC Champion's Trophy in 2002 with Sri Lanka. Furthermore, the recent establishment of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has lured national heroes from other cricketing nations to play this prestigious and lucrative tournament on a yearly basis. The presence of great players all playing in one country promotes the importance of India on the cricketing stage and provides a reason why cricket should be this nation's flagship sport. The important expansion and promotion of the 20/20 format which is often associated with excitement and entertainment has also seen the younger generations of India to take more interest in cricket, on top of the many of those who have already done so.

Not that this is not already enough to establish cricket as India's national sport but the recent achievements of being placed first in ICC rankings for test cricket and second in one-day international (ODI) cricket only adds to the amassing of crickets supporters and fans. The pride and success that the Indians hold in this sport far surpasses any other sport that they might enjoy; which is why cricket is such an important part of Indian culture and should be rightly crowned as India's national sport.

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