Ever since the FIFA World Cup buildup began, I've seen countless posts comparing football and cricket just to demean cricket. Let's be clear: cricket is no lesser sport than any other. It's arguably the world's second most popular sport. So what if most of its fanbase comes from Asia? Every major sport has regions where it dominates. Too often, some people seem unable to accept that a sport driven largely by South Asians can be globally significant. Cricket is a highly skilled, elite sport with technical demands that aren't everyone's cup of tea. Its limited spread wasn't due to a lack of quality, but because of its unique colonial history and plus its an expensive sport. Yet the game is expanding rapidly through T20 cricket. Teams like Italy, the Netherlands, and the USA are making strides, and the last T20 World Cup featured 20 nations. What many forget is that the qualification pathway involved 70-80 countries through regional and sub-regional tournaments. Cricket's global footprint is growing, whether some like it or not !

USA has beaten world cup winners Pakistan in cricket. Kenya has beaten world cup winners Sri Lanka in cricket. Kenya has beaten world cup winners West Indies in cricket. Scotland has beaten world cup winners England in cricket. Scotland has beaten world cup winners West Indies in cricket Netherlands has beaten world cup winners England in cricket. Netherlands has beaten world cup winners West Indies in cricket. Ireland beat world cup winners England in cricket. Ireland beat world cup winners Sri Lanka in cricket. Ireland beat world cup winners West Indies in cricket. Bangladesh beat giants/world cup winners Australia in cricket. These all were/still are associate cricketing nations. Now imagine, has anything like this happened in football? Have you ever seen India beat Brazil, Zimbabwe beat Argentina in football? You haven't and you won't because cricket will reward you if you work hard, improve your skills, grit, determination and fight like a warrior on the field. It doesnt go by how big a cricketing nation you are.

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: every top-tier Indian city deserves an opportunity to host major events like the World Cup final or IPL final, commonwealth, Olympics. But hosting such events isn't just about having a cricket stadium. Cities need world-class infrastructure—clean roads, proper footpaths, efficient public transport and metro connectivity, tourist-friendly surroundings, clean public toilets, and an overall civic environment that can handle a global event. I’ve attended matches at Eden Gardens, Wankhede, Chinnaswamy, Sawai Mansingh, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium, and Arun Jaitley Stadium. Based on my personal experience, Ahmedabad stands out not only for the stadium facilities but also for the surrounding infrastructure and civic standards. So before hating Ahmedabad or the Narendra Modi Stadium for hosting marquee events, perhaps people should ask a different question: why aren't other cities meeting the standards required to host them? The accountability lies with municipal corporations, civic bodies, local leaders, state governments, local population, and state cricket associations. Instead of pulling Ahmedabad down, we should be demanding better infrastructure & civic sense from our own cities. Try throwing away trash anywhere on Ahmedabad street and wait for that stare from people around you. Thats what makes Ahmedabad and Ahmedabadi people special.

I dont support BJP nor do I support Congress or any other political party. But below is absolutely true. Most people hate Gujrat, Gujratis, NAMO stadium only because of their hate for Modi and Shah. Otherwise the stadium is top notch, one of the best in the world. Sit it any corner and you can witness a marvelous view. Every facility is well maintained.

A fun football stat: India has qualified for a FIFA World Cup, while Zimbabwe has never qualified for a single FIFA World Cup in its history.

38 days of non-stop football. Twenty-two players running around, kicking a ball back and forth for 90 minutes, all for the privilege of seeing 2–3 goals if you're lucky. And after a month of this marathon, there's a decent chance the trophy ends up with Brazil, Argentina, France or Spain anyway. What a plot twist.

Ever since the FIFA World Cup buildup began, I've seen countless posts comparing football and cricket just to demean cricket. Let's be clear: cricket is no lesser sport than any other. It's arguably the world's second most popular sport. So what if most of its fanbase comes from Asia? Every major sport has regions where it dominates. Too often, some people seem unable to accept that a sport driven largely by South Asians can be globally significant. Cricket is a highly skilled, elite sport with technical demands that aren't everyone's cup of tea. Its limited spread wasn't due to a lack of quality, but because of its unique colonial history and plus its an expensive sport. Yet the game is expanding rapidly through T20 cricket. Teams like Italy, the Netherlands, and the USA are making strides, and the last T20 World Cup featured 20 nations. What many forget is that the qualification pathway involved 70-80 countries through regional and sub-regional tournaments. Cricket's global footprint is growing, whether some like it or not !

Maturity is in realizing that cricket is an elite sport and not everyone's cup of tea.

Football is the most overrated sport on the planet. Had cricket not been held back for decades by its colonial roots, elitist image, and limited global exposure, it would have challenged football's dominance long ago. Skill, strategy, and drama — cricket has it all. Now, with T20 taking over and driving the sport's growth into new markets, it's only a matter of time before cricket begins closing the gap on football's global popularity. Maybe in 20–30 years. Maybe even earlier. Who knows? :::

Dear Zimbabwean friends of mine, save your World Cup excitement for cricket. Zimbabwe won't be at the football World Cup, but you'll be co-hosting the Cricket World Cup next year. That's the stage where Zimbabwe can actually make an impact and command global attention yet again. 🏏 ❤️ 🇿🇼. Zimbabwe shall forever be synonymous with cricket 🏏 ❤️ 🇿🇼!

Zimbabwe has three world cup host cities and if despite that it gets to host only 8 games then its really concerning.

Bangladesh are a beast in home conditions. Will be a good test for Indian team when they travel Bangladesh later this year.

Going by ths reports flowing through social media, it was Saracens rugby player who first threw punches towards Atkinson. I just hope Stokes's captaincy isnt under any risk. Fingers crossed 🤞

Test Cricket needs Ben Stokes. Hopefully there is no retirement news. Fingers crossed 🤞

BIG BREAKING 🚨 Bangladesh Emerging thrash Zimbabwe Emerging by 85 runs in the first 50 over game. Wesley Madhevere & Mathew Campbell lone fighters for Zimbabwe Emerging. Bangladesh E - 364/10 Zimbabwe E - 279/10