Tag: Too Much Cricket

‘Too Much of Cricket? Try Pickleball, The New Kid In Sports Town’

By LokMarg

Shubham Paliwal, vice president of the Uttar Pradesh Pickleball Association, says even if cricket rules your heart, there is room for Pickleball. Find out how:

Let’s face it—cricket is everywhere. From tea stalls to living rooms, from school breaks to boardroom banter, it’s the one sport that has glued generations together in India. We’ve grown up with it, we celebrate it like a festival, and we carry its stories like family heirlooms.

And I say this as someone who deeply respects cricket. It’s a beautiful game, rich with emotion, legacy, and pure magic. But sometimes, just sometimes, I wonder—have we left any space for something new?

Cricket’s popularity isn’t a mystery. It’s got everything—celebrity players, nail-biting finishes, massive crowds, and of course, the legacy of that iconic 1983 World Cup win. It became more than a sport; it became ours. And today, with leagues like IPL and global coverage, it’s not just a game—it’s a mega-industry.

But here’s something I want to share with you—there’s a new game in town, and it’s quietly making its way into hearts, homes, and high-rises across India. It’s called Pickleball.

Yes, the name makes people smile at first. I get that. But once they try it, they’re hooked. And as someone who’s working on the ground, both as a coach and as the Vice President of the Uttar Pradesh Pickleball Association, I can tell you—this game is special.

Pickleball is simple. It’s played on a small court with a paddle and a plastic ball. It’s a mix of tennis, badminton, and table tennis—but way more accessible. You don’t need to be a pro. You don’t need a huge field or expensive gear. You just need a bit of space, a few friends, and that first serve.

So why are people loving it?

Well, because it feels good. It’s light on the body, easy to learn, and great for all ages—kids, adults, even grandparents. I’ve seen three generations from the same family play together and laugh like kids. That’s powerful.

ALSO READ: ‘Too Much Cricket Has Taken A Toll On Its Quality’

It doesn’t eat up your day either. One game takes about 15 minutes. Perfect for a quick match after dinner or during your lunch break! You can play it indoors, outdoors, in schools, societies—anywhere.

And here’s the part that’s really exciting—Pickleball is growing fast. We’re seeing leagues form across India. Some team prices have already crossed ₹18 crore. Celebrities like Ritesh Deshmukh, Atlee, and Rishabh Pant are investing. There are state and national tournaments with real prize money. It’s no longer “that new game with a funny name”—it’s becoming a serious sport.

We’re also working hard to bring it into CBSE and SGFI schools, and internationally, there’s a strong movement to make it an Olympic sport. And at our academy, Pro Play Zone in Crossings Republik, we’ve already introduced it to our community. The response? Overwhelming. Pure joy, real connection, and so much fun.

Cricket will always be close to our hearts. But maybe it’s time to make space for a little more play. A sport that welcomes everyone, doesn’t need a stadium, and fills your soul just as much.

So the next time you ask, “What else is out there besides cricket?” Come pick up a paddle. I promise, Pickleball has something beautiful to offer.

As told to Deepti Sharma

‘Too Much Cricket Has Taken a Toll on the Quality of the Sport’

By LokMarg

Sharad Deep, a senior sports journalist, says round-the-year matches have dented the classic format and encouraged unscrupulous sponsors like betting platforms. His views:

Till about two decades ago, sports lovers in India used to wait for the winters to enjoy for the cricketing season to enjoy the Test and ODI matches. Gradually, as the number of viewers grew in leaps, the sponsors and investors saw a huge money-spinner in the game. Cricket authorities became the chessboard of power games which wielded tremendous influence.

The focus of both domestic and the International Cricket Council (ICC) shifted to one-day format which witnesses a drastic phase out of the classical form of cricket – the tests – and as the wheel rolled on, to the 20-over format. Quick results, more thrills, a lusty audience and a dash of Bollywood glamour – the recipe for a lucrative league was ready.

Though T20 games gained popularity instantly when it took the centre-stage about 18 years ago, with India winning the inaugural World Cup in 2007, the craze and madness for this format skyrocketed with the advent of IPL, the most popular cricket league in the world.

With the highest financial perks in the world, it is the dream destination of every player of all the cricket playing nations. Though many other boards have tried to replicate the IPL, none could even get even closer to the bar set by the BCCI which holds the highest grosser event of its kind in the world.

ALSO READ: ‘IPL Has Revolutionised Sports In The Country’

While many upcoming players benefitted from the advent of IPL, the short-over format has quietly buried the original Test format, and is increasingly threatening the existence of ODI cricket as well. Though the cricket bodies are making all efforts to keep classical cricket alive (by limiting the number of overs in tests drawing results), the classic format is struggling to hold ground. Test cricket used to be the real test of a sportsman’s cricketing stamina, strength and strategy. It has now been replaced by quick-fire rounds.

A similar fate stares at One Day cricket, where the interest of the audience has now shrunk to the first and the last ten overs. The updates are easily availabile in terms of score statistics, videos clips et al on mobile phones. And one can remain at work while keeping a tab on the match too; the real time viewership is no longer required.

Yet another sore point is the betting, legal or illegal, involved in the game. It is both surprising and shocking that a betting platform like Dream 11 has found place on the jersey of Team India. Worse, many current and former players have been promoting this shamelessly.

Though a huge amount of money is now involved in the shorter formats of this game, the controlling boards should also set guidelines limiting profiles of stakeholders (sponsors) as such penetration is not possible without surpassing the norms. I remember one incident when a cigarette brand had made way to the sponsors of Team India. It created such outrage that the board had to retract its decision. But there is no place for dignity and morality in the game now. When money is the sole lord, ethics are the first casualty.

As told to Rajat Rai