Cricket in Himachal Pradesh

Overview

Governing body: BCCI
Origin: 16th century England
Olympic discipline: No
Category: Team
Total players listed: …

Cricket is one of India's most-followed disciplines. The BCCI oversees national federation activity, talent identification and Olympic qualification pathways. Major support flows in through TOPS and Khelo India for athletes who clear federation benchmarks.

Cricket is not currently on the Olympic programme, but it sits firmly inside India's broader sporting ecosystem. The discipline receives support through the Khelo India movement, multi-sport events such as the National Games and Asian Games trials wherever the sport is contested, and dedicated league or championship structures run by the federation. Sponsorship, broadcast deals and private academies often fill the gap that direct government funding leaves, and several state governments offer cash awards, government jobs and land grants to medallists at the National Games and recognised world championships.

As a team sport, Cricket in India is built around a club, district and state structure that culminates in national-level inter-state competition. State associations affiliated to the BCCI run age-group leagues from under-14 upwards, with the strongest pools historically coming from states with established grassroots infrastructure. Franchise leagues — where they exist — sit on top of this pyramid and have transformed athlete earnings, broadcast visibility and the professionalisation of coaching and support staff. School and college tournaments under SGFI and AIU remain the primary discovery route for players who do not come through a private academy.

At the grassroots, the route into Cricket typically starts at school under the School Games Federation of India (SGFI), at the inter-university level under the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), or through a private academy registered with the state association. The Khelo India Youth Games and Khelo India University Games are the largest single discovery platforms — athletes who reach the podium at these events become eligible for the Khelo India Talent Development scheme, which funds boarding, coaching, kit, education and a monthly stipend at accredited centres. State sports awards and central government jobs under the sports quota remain a powerful incentive for athletes from smaller towns.

Cricket originated in 16th century England, and in India it has developed a distinct character shaped by the country's geography, demographics and sporting culture. Whether you want to compete, coach, sponsor, write about or simply follow Cricket, the practical starting point is the same: connect with your state association under the BCCI, identify the nearest SAI centre or accredited academy, and track the Khelo India and federation calendars for the events that decide selection at every level. India's most-followed sport with a billion-strong fanbase.

History

How cricket evolved globally and took root in India.

Cricket traces its modern origins to 16th century England. Codified rules, standard equipment and international competition took shape as the sport spread beyond its birthplace, and BCCI is the body that carried it into organised Indian competition.

In India, cricket grew through princely-state patronage, defence-service teams, universities and state associations. Post-independence, the discipline was formalised under BCCI, national championships were instituted, and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) later brought it into the centralised high-performance system with dedicated centres, coaching cadres and sports-science support.

Cricket sits outside the Olympic programme but is firmly part of India's Asian Games, Commonwealth and National Games map, with state governments backing medallists through cash awards, jobs and land grants.

Indian Players

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Rules

Two opposing sides contest a fixed-duration match on a marked field or court, with officials enforcing possession, out-of-play, foul and scoring rules published by the international federation. Teams field a set number of players plus substitutes, age and gender categories are strictly separated, and match officials use video review at the top level. India follows the international rulebook adopted by the national federation, with domestic tweaks for age-group and school competition durations.

Authoritative rulebook: BCCI. Age-group and school-level variations are published by SGFI and the state associations each season.

Positions

Key roles, events or positions inside a cricket squad or competition.

Attackers / forwards
Primary scorers who operate closest to the opposition goal or scoring zone.
Midfielders / all-rounders
Link play between defence and attack; usually the highest work-rate positions.
Defenders
Deny the opposition space and possession in the defensive third.
Goalkeeper / last line
Specialist stopper with distinct kit and rules; the final line of defence.
Captain & vice-captain
On-field leadership, decision-making and communication with match officials.

Equipment

Standard kit and infrastructure required to train and compete in cricket at a federation-recognised event.

Match ball or puck to the federation's specification
Team playing kit, warm-up gear and studded/turf footwear
Personal protective equipment where the sport requires it (shin guards, mouthguard, helmet, pads)
Training equipment: cones, agility ladders, GPS vests, video analysis rig
Field or court markings, goals/nets and match-officials' equipment

Governing body

National federation

BCCI

BCCI is the recognised national body for Cricket in India. It sets the domestic calendar, selection norms, coaching curriculum and anti-doping compliance, and is affiliated to the international federation for cricket. State associations under BCCI run age-group competition and feed the national talent pipeline.

Origin: 16th century England
Olympic: No
Category: Team

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Major Indian Events

Domestic championships, Khelo India events, National Games and franchise leagues that shape the cricket calendar in India.

BCCI Senior National Championship
The primary domestic cricket title and the main selection trial for the senior India team.
BCCI Junior & Sub-Junior National Championship
Age-group nationals that feed the Khelo India Talent Development scheme and the senior camp.
Khelo India Youth Games & University Games — Cricket
India's largest multi-sport scouting platform; medallists become eligible for KIA stipends and boarding at accredited centres.
National Games of India — Cricket
Quadrennial multi-sport meet contested by state teams; state governments give cash awards, jobs and land grants to medallists.
Indian Premier League
World's richest T20 league and India's premier sporting franchise property.
Women's Premier League
BCCI's franchise T20 league that has transformed Indian women's cricket commercially and competitively.
Ranji Trophy
India's premier domestic first-class competition and the historical proving ground for every Test cricketer.
Vijay Hazare Trophy
India's premier domestic 50-over tournament between state and Plate Group sides.

International Events

Continental and world-level competitions where India competes in cricket.

Asian Games & Asian Championships
Continental championship pathway sanctioned by BCCI; medallists receive central and state cash awards.
Commonwealth Games / Championships
Commonwealth-level competition where India regularly fields medal contenders in cricket.
World Championships
The senior world title event of the international federation — the peak of the cricket calendar outside the Olympic year.

Leagues

Franchise and professional leagues catalogued for cricket. Full season data, champions and schedule filters are available in the sidebar.

Domestic · Since 2008
Indian Premier League
World's richest T20 league and India's premier sporting franchise property.
Domestic · Since 2023
Women's Premier League
BCCI's franchise T20 league that has transformed Indian women's cricket commercially and competitively.
Domestic · Since 1934
Ranji Trophy
India's premier domestic first-class competition and the historical proving ground for every Test cricketer.
Domestic · Since 2002
Vijay Hazare Trophy
India's premier domestic 50-over tournament between state and Plate Group sides.
Domestic · Since 2006
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
BCCI's premier domestic T20 competition and a major IPL talent feeder.
International · Since 1975
ICC Cricket World Cup
Quadrennial 50-over world championship — the sport's biggest single trophy.
International · Since 2007
ICC Men's T20 World Cup
Biennial global T20 championship; India won the most recent edition in the West Indies and USA.
International · Since 1998
ICC Champions Trophy
Compact eight-team ODI tournament for the top sides in the world.

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International Players

Globally recognised cricket athletes to know outside India.

Lionel Messi (Argentina)
8-time Ballon d'Or; 2022 World Cup winner.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
5-time Ballon d'Or; Euro 2016 champion.
Kylian Mbappé (France)
2018 World Cup winner; multiple Ligue 1 top scorer.
Erling Haaland (Norway)
Manchester City forward; Premier League Golden Boot.
Manuel Neuer (Germany)
2014 World Cup-winning goalkeeper; Bayern Munich legend.

Records

Where to find India's official cricket record book.

Olympic medalsN/A
Cricket is not on the Olympic programme, so India records this discipline through Asian Games, Commonwealth, World and Continental championships instead.
Asian Games medalsTracked
India's Asian Games results in cricket are compiled by the Indian Olympic Association and the BCCI.
Commonwealth medalsTracked
Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Championship medals in cricket are maintained by the BCCI.
World Championship medalsTracked
Senior, junior and youth World Championship medal records are held by the international federation for cricket and mirrored by BCCI.
National record holdersFederation register
BCCI publishes the current senior, junior and sub-junior national records and updates them after every ratified event.

Career Options

Ways to build a career in cricket — on the field, on the sidelines and behind the scenes.

Professional player in a domestic franchise league, state team or overseas club
Coach at grassroots, state, national or franchise level (federation-certified)
Match official — referee, umpire, video review, technical delegate
Sports science support — strength & conditioning, physiotherapy, nutrition, video analyst
Sports management, broadcast, journalism, commentary and creator careers
Government-quota jobs in Railways, defence, police, PSUs and state services for state and national representatives

Explore sports careers →Coaches directory →

Related academies

30 listed

MRF Pace FoundationElite
Chennai, Tamil Nadu · Since 1987
Storied pace bowling academy that has trained Indian and international quicks.
N. G. Ranga Sports AcademyState
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh · Since 1996
Coastal Andhra's largest multi-sport academy.
MCA Cricket AcademyElite
Mumbai, Maharashtra · Since 1994
Mumbai Cricket Association's BKC academy — Ranji and India pipeline.
BCCI National Cricket AcademyElite
Bengaluru, Karnataka · Since 2000
BCCI's centralised academy for India seniors, juniors, women and rehab.
Vijay Merchant Cricket AcademyState
Mumbai, Maharashtra · Since 1985
Historic Mumbai academy in the Shivaji Park cricketing belt.
KSCA Cricket AcademyState
Bengaluru, Karnataka · Since 1997
Karnataka State Cricket Association's pathway from age-group to Ranji.
PCA Cricket AcademyState
Mohali, Punjab · Since 1996
Punjab Cricket Association academy at the IS Bindra Stadium.
RCA Cricket AcademyState
Jaipur, Rajasthan · Since 1999
Rajasthan's senior pipeline academy at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
Sonnet Cricket Club AcademyNational
New Delhi, Delhi · Since 1969
Storied Delhi club academy — alumni include Sehwag, Kohli and Gambhir.
Motilal Nehru School of SportsNational
Sonipat, Haryana · Since 1973
Haryana's residential sports school — a feeder for the state's medal factory.
ACA Cricket AcademyState
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh · Since 2000
Andhra Cricket Association's residential pathway in Vizag.
Indian Railways Sports Promotion BoardElite
New Delhi, Delhi · Since 1928
Departmental sports body that fields India's most successful multi-sport contingents.

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Government Schemes

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Central and state schemes that fund training, stipends and awards for cricket athletes and academies.

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FAQs

Common questions about cricket in India.

Who governs Cricket in India?▾

BCCI is the recognised national federation for Cricket in India. State associations under BCCI run age-group and state-level competition and feed the national talent pipeline.

Is Cricket an Olympic sport?▾

Cricket is not currently on the Olympic programme, but India competes at Asian Games, Commonwealth Games (where recognised), World Championships and other continental events sanctioned by BCCI.

How do I start playing Cricket in India?▾

Join a school team under SGFI, a college team under AIU, or a private academy affiliated to your state association. From there, age-group state championships and Khelo India events are the standard route into the national pipeline.

What government schemes support Cricket athletes?▾

The core schemes are Khelo India (talent development stipends, scholarships and boarding at accredited centres), TOPS (funding for elite athletes preparing for the Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games), and state-government cash awards, jobs and land grants for medallists. Federation-specific schemes may also apply.

Where can I train for Cricket?▾

Sports Authority of India (SAI) national centres of excellence, Khelo India accredited academies, state sports institutes and private academies registered with the state association are the standard training venues. The Academies section on this page lists options.

How are Indian Cricket athletes selected for international events?▾

BCCI runs selection trials — typically the senior national championship, a dedicated trial event, or ranking-based selection — and publishes the selection policy each season. Objective criteria (times, distances, ranking points, weight-class results) dominate at the elite level.

Cricket in every state & UT

Dedicated pages for Cricket in each Indian state and Union Territory — academies, schemes, athletes and how to start.

Cricket