India’s World Cup

That the World Cup merits importance even when the 50-over format is struggling is further proof of its prestige.

Cricket is a restless sport. It is always changing. Every now and then, there is a new rule. It is also the only major team sport with three formats. Can you imagine football matches of different durations?

There is, however, one constant in this ever-shifting scenario. Since 1983, the World Cup has stayed the most important title in the game. It is competing with many new tournaments. Some of these, like the World T20, have gained interest as well as stature. It might even go on to become the game’s premier event. For now, though, the World Cup is the sport’s Olympics. It has a halo around it that newly minted competitions will take time to acquire, if at all they do. That the World Cup merits importance even when the 50-over format is struggling is further proof of its prestige.

The current edition of the World Cup is being held in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Naturally, therefore, the involvement of the Indian people will be greater than usual, and hence this special package. Headlined by an insightful tournament preview by Clive Lloyd, a twice World Cup winning captain, and featuring interviews with four key Indian players, the special is a fun prep-sheet for cricket fans ahead of the action. It is also many other things besides. Just as the World Cup, hopefully, will be. (Looking at the trophy, it should really be called the World Tripod. But that is a debate for another day.)

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Akshay Sawai