There was an era �colonial royal era� for cricket. Now this is a new era for cricket �commercial era�. Cricket has made an interesting journey of changing era. The game of cricket was initially known as Gentlemen�s game, a royal game introduced in India by British. Many things have been said and written about the game and legendary players. So we will see journey only.

In India when the game was introduced that time Maharajas, Nawabs used to play the game. The first Indian team toured England in 1932 led by Maharaja. The first official test match was played on Indian soil in 1933/34.Money was never criteria that time for the players. Maharaja�s used to look after the game as well as players. Maharaja of Patiala was one time captain of Indian team. Bhupender Singh of Patiala was the man behind patronizing game in India. In those days players used to get 100 rs per match. Maharaja Ranjitsinhji and Duleepsinhji were maharajas of cricket and Jamnagar. The Ranji Trophy is very seriously battled over for the glory that goes with his name. Maharaja Gaekwad was the founder of Baroda cricket Association which is very active and very important part of BCCI.

Players were not used for commercial purpose. Game was so different that time. There was no communication, technology and media as advanced as it is now. But still people were very interested People used to hear commentary on radio during that time. It was very exciting to listen commentary on radio and creating artificial atmosphere by explaining ball to ball. Umpire�s decision was final Players even used to walk out without waiting for the umpire�s decision once they knew they were out. They were gentlemen players, no foul languages were used.

Once an Indian captain Nari Contractor got very bad hit on his head by a bouncer bowled by Charlie Griffith in 1959/60 in West Indies .Blood was given none other than West Indies captain Sir Frank Worrel , an example of true sportsman�s spirit and saved his life. On the other hand there was controversial body line series in 1932 particularly bowling on body line by very accurate fast bowler Harold Larwood, lead by Sir Douglas Jardine. After people realizing important of sports man spirit Douglas had hard time after returning from tour. There were no facilities given like today. There was not as much body protection wear at that time, but spirit of game was very high played at highest level. Batsman used to play very crafty shots as far as possible. There was no restriction on number of fielders on the leg side. No restriction on number bouncer in an over. Bowler used to bowl with skill and never afraid to give runs to get the batsman out. Indeed a �bat and ball contest�.

In 70s rules started changing like fast bowler only allowed two bouncers in an over. Front foot no balls rule came instead of back foot line. Then most exciting era of one day match started. Way back in 1975 when the first world cup was played in England That time The matches played consisted of 60 over per team and were played in traditional white clothing and with red balls . The great West Indies had won first two world cups and lost third to India in 1983.That changes scenario truly There was only Deodhar and Wills trophy of limited overs played in India. Because of less sunlight instead of 60 came 50 overs.That time there was no day and night matches. There were no bookies or match fixing before that time. It only came in light in mostly in 80s when the corporate houses and big-time bookies got involved in the game.



People started enjoying the one day matches rather than 5 days matches. One of the reasons was that results of one day matches were certain until unless weather or unavoidable circumstances also played big part in making game popular. It changed style of shots also invented unorthodox shots like reverse sweep Hitting the ball over the fielder head instead of ground shots most of the time. Bowlers were more bothered about confronting batsman instead of allowing batsman to hit the ball and make mistake Art of wrist shots dying and power shots invented. But best part happened was running between wickets and learning importance of fielding.



With new technology and Television broadcasting in particular has made very easy in terms of the analysis of player performance and getting feed back on it. After third umpire influence batsman are not getting benefit of doubt any more. Umpiring errors can no longer be tolerated when everything is televised with different angles.



Now journey of cricket reached from that royal era to new format of game with highly commercial era. Which is 20 over matches After winning the first 20 overs world cup people started liking the T 20 20 matches that is how truly commercial era of game started. Involvement of actors and big corporate houses changed face of cricket making cricket big industry by itself. Now cricketers are paid very highly by the corporate for promoting their products. There is one new concept that players are being bought by big corporate and actors. They are auctioned to the highest bidder like commodities. Some positive things also come with this matches as new young talented players are also getting chances to play which was not possible at that time.



20 overs game is highly uncertain and best part is that every one involved including spectators know about it .So it makes game highly entertaining and exciting also adding attraction of cheerleaders. New generation love excitement. The batsman never get chance to settle down .Though it may look easy from far and on T V but fact is that its very hard from first ball to hit shot without settling down. To make game more interesting super over concept is recently introduced in game in IPL 2009.To make game more interesting they have concept of time out of 7 minutes after 10 overs of play. So batsman can�t settle. To play this type of unorthodox cricket shots like reverse sweep and lifting the ball over wicketkeepers head is allowed. Power play is introduced .There is also free hit after bowler bowling no ball next ball is free hit. Batsman can not get out except run out. Four fielders are compulsory in 30 yards circle. Now negative bowling is killing true art of bowling just not to allow batsman score high but to try him to get out.



All era has its advantages and disadvantages. Change is inevitable in life. ICC now even trying to make it more popular by trying to get non cricket playing countries like China, Japan Europe at low level.We don�t know which era we will see in coming time but one thing is very certain �Era may change but popularity of game will never change in any era�.

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