The ICC Cricket World Cup has been one of the most anticipated sporting events this past year, with cricket fans all over the world looking forward to seeing their favorite players get out on the field. 

Cricket is a bat-and-ball game that has been around since the late 16th century. It consists of a baseball-like field where players stand in front of a wicket, a set of three upright sticks with two smaller sticks laying on top, hit the ball as far as they can and run to the other side of the field. Cricket is scored based on four things: runs, wickets, extras and penalty runs.

Cricket has players and fans from all over the world, with a few at FHS, including Ved Kamishetti, a junior at FHS. Kamishetti has been a cricket fan for a long time and was excited for the World Cup. One thing he was super excited about was his favorite team, India, participating.

“The World Cup taking place in India is something very special,” Kamishetti said. 

India has been one of the most successful cricket teams in the world. They have won the World Cup twice, and taken a spot in the semifinals in four other years. With the only undefeated streak in this year’s World Cup, they have many fans rooting for and predicting their victory. Another FHS cricket fan is FHS PE teacher, Matthew Tait.

“I can easily assume that they will probably be winning because they’re one of the best teams or maybe even the best team,” Tait said.

With the widespread popularity and excitement surrounding this World Cup, more people are cricket fans now than ever. This anticipation brings about more questions for the cricket community. What does the future of cricket look like, and not just for the most popular and accomplished teams? 

“I think that this WC[World Cup] might have more influence on Indians in the US and all over the world which could mean the US’ cricket team growing and maybe making it into the top leagues in the future,” Kamishetti said. 

With a few more exciting matches to come and a final trophy to be awarded, cricket has been earning more and more enthusiasm. This World Cup’s rising popularity could have the potential to change the sports world forever.