Unfair iPhone, the rise of tennis ball cricket, and more...
Tennis-ball cricket is gaining significant popularity in India as a low-cost, accessible alternative to professional cricket. Private companies are now looking to capitalize on this trend by launching organized leagues like the Velocity Cricket League.
Why it matters
It highlights the commercialization of grassroots sports and the massive untapped talent pool in India's informal sporting culture.
When you think of cricket, you might naturally think of the big fanfare — the IPL frenzy, packed stadiums and maybe even the OG Test matches.
But for millions of Indians, cricket starts somewhere far more modest.
It starts with a tennis ball, a few friends or colony members, and a game squeezed into a gully (street), playground or whatever patch of open space they can find.
And this humble version of the game seems to be having a moment right now.
In 2025, more than 33 lakh cricket matches were played with tennis balls in India. And it’s not hard to see why. Tennis-ball cricket is cheaper and easier to organise. You don’t need expensive protective gear, a proper cricket pitch or even a large ground. A small space and a handful of players are often enough to get a game going.
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