NEW DELHI, Oct 5 (Reuters) – The thirteenth version of the 50-over World Cup bought underneath manner in Ahmedabad on Thursday heralding six weeks of high-octane motion in a rustic head over heels in love with the sport.

Cricket is taken into account a faith in India, which stays just about a one-sport nation regardless of the nation’s improved performances in different sports activities.

The twice champions, who final received the title once they had been hosts in 2011, are the monetary engine of the sport, wielding appreciable clout throughout the world governing International Cricket Council (ICC).

India, led by Rohit Sharma, head into the event because the top-ranked one-day staff and one of many event favourites, together with holders England and five-time winners Australia.

Cricketers in India take pleasure in rock-star standing rivalled solely by Bollywood actors, and earn the type of cash that is still a distant dream for many different sportspeople.

It additionally means they’re underneath great stress to carry out in large tournaments and that burden of expectation will solely be heavier at their dwelling World Cup.

Cricket is widespread in each nook of the nation, reflecting India’s real love for the sport launched by its former British rulers.

It is performed within the mountains in Kashmir, the by-lanes in Kolkata, the slums in Mumbai and on the Marina seaside in Chennai.

Several Indian cities have inexperienced parks the place matches are performed concurrently – be it Azad Maidan in Mumbai or the ‘Maidan’ in Kolkata close to Eden Gardens.

The franchise-based Indian Premier League has additional helped the sport deepen its roots in India and cricket’s place because the primary sport within the nation appears to be like protected within the close to future.

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