What is greatness? William Shakespeare once aptly said,
“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon ’em.”
Today we discuss the greatest Indian cricketers of all-time across formats and eras. Some of them are born geniuses. Others toiled their way to greatness, one ball at a time.
Let’s be honest, we have all done this exercise in our head a few times in our lives. However, with India’s 2024 T20 World Cup victory, the nation now has new heroes.
We considered over 150 cricketers who have represented India in the last 130 years and came up with the Top 60.
Here is sneak peek—Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni have been chosen as the Top 5 Greatest Indian cricketers of all-time.
We looked at India’s major victories and which players contributed to those triumphs. This includes famous Test wins, T20 & ODI World Cup wins, Champions Trophy, etc.
World Cup Wins: 1983 ODI World Cup, 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup, 2024 T20 World Cup
Other ICC Wins: 2002 Champions Trophy, 2013 Champions Trophy
Runners Up: 2000 Champions Trophy, 2003 ODI World Cup, 2014 T20 World Cup, 2017 Champions Trophy, 2023 ODI World Cup
Major Test Series Victories: India Tour of England 1971, India Tour of England 1986, Australia Tour of India 2001, Border Gavaskar Trophy 2018-19, Border Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21
For cricketers who played before the 1970s, we considered anecdotal references and stories as well as first class statistics.
Statistics
We considered statistics across formats in each of the areas: batting, bowling, fielding, keeping, and captaincy.
Most Wickets
Test
ODI
T20I
A Kumble (619)
A Kumble (334)
Y Chahal (96)
R Ashwin (516)
J Srinath (315)
B Kumar (90)
K Dev (434)
A Agarkar (288)
J Bumrah (89)
H Singh (417)
Z Khan (269)
H Pandya (86)
I Sharma (311)
H Singh (265)
A Singh (83)
Z Khan (311)
K Dev (253)
R Ashwin (72)
R Jadeja (294)
R Jadeja (220)
K Yadav (69)
B Bedi (266)
V Prasad (196)
A Patel (62)
B Chandrashekar (242)
M Shami (195)
R Jadeja (54)
J Srinath (236)
I Pathan (173)
R Bishnoi (48)
Most Runs
Test
ODI
T20I
S Tendulkar (15921)
S Tendulkar (18426)
R Sharma (4231)
R Dravid (13265)
V Kohli (13872)
V Kohli (4188)
S Gavaskar (10122)
S Ganguly (11221)
SK Yadav (2432)
V Kohli (8848)
R Dravid (10768)
KL Rahul (2265)
VVS Laxman (8781)
R Sharma (10767)
S Dhawan (1759)
V Sehwag (8503)
MS Dhoni (10599)
MS Dhoni (1617)
S Ganguly (7212)
M Azharuddin (9378)
S Raina (1605)
C Pujara (7195)
Y Singh (8609)
H Pandya (1523)
D Vengsarkar (6868)
V Sehwag (7995)
R Pant (1209)
M Azharuddin (6215)
S Dhawan (6793)
Y Singh (1177)
Most Matches As Captain
*Matches Won/Matches Captained
Test
ODI
T20I
V Kohli (40/68)
MS Dhoni (110/200)
MS Dhoni (41/72)
MS Dhoni (27/60)
M Azharuddin (90/174)
R Sharma (49/62)
S Ganguly (21/49)
S Ganguly (76/146)
V Kohli (30/50)
M Azharuddin (14/47)
V Kohli (65/95)
H Pandya (10/16)
S Gavaskar (9/47)
R Dravid (42/79)
SK Yadav (7//10)
Most Dismissals As Keeper
Test
ODI
T20I
MS Dhoni (294)
MS Dhoni (438)
MS Dhoni (91)
S Kirmani (198)
N Mongia (154)
R Pant (49)
R Pant (133)
K More (90)
D Karthik (27)
K More (130)
R Dravid (86)
S Samson (13)
N Mongia (107)
KL Rahul (56)
I Kishan (12)
Most Catches
Test: R Dravid (209), VVS Laxman (135), S Tendulkar (115), V Kohli (111), S Gavaskar (108)
ODI: M Azharuddin (156), V Kohli (151), S Tendulkar (140), R Dravid (124), S Raina (102)
T20I: R Sharma (65), V Kohli (54), H Pandya (47), SK Yadav (45), S Raina (42)
The Honorable Mentions
Future Stars
These players were not considered in the list (currently), but will most likely be considered greats of Indian cricket by the time they retire.
Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Shubman Gill, Ravi Bishnoi, Shreyas Iyer, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammad Siraj, Ishan Kishan, Yashasvi Jaiswal (712 runs in a series, wow!), Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul
For each cricketer listed, we considered the number of international matches played across formats (longevity), player of match/series awards (impact), notable achievements (specific Test series & World Cup stats), and if they captained India, played 100 Tests, and/or won a World Cup.
If a retired player satisfies any of the following criteria, then they automatically make the list:
9 Player of the Match Awards
300+ International Wickets
10000+ International Runs
*Note: Shri Ranjitsinhji and Duleepsinhji, two of the greatest cricketers of Indian origin after whom the ‘Ranji’ and ‘Duleep’ trophies are named, do not feature in this list because they represented England in their international career.
Without taking any more of your time, let’s go!
60. Kiran More (1984-1993, Baroda)
Role: Wicketkeeper/Batter
A constant figure behind the stumps for India in the late eighties, More will be remembered for the most stumpings in a match (6) in Narendra Hirwani’s debut Test where he took 16 wickets.
Matches Played: 143
Runs: 1848
Player of Match Awards: 0
Player of Series Awards: 0
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: 4th Most Dismissals in Test for India
Possibly the best forward short-leg fielder of all-time, his contribution cannot be understated in uplifting India’s spin quartet. Has one Test century to his name, 8 FC tons, and 276 FC wickets.
Matches: 34
Runs: 1095, Wickets: 22
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: 53 catches in 27 Tests, the best ratio for a non-wicketkeeper.
The highest T20I wicket-taker for India…and has yet, never played a single T20 WC game. Was not picked for 2021 T20WC and was on the sidelines of the others (including 2024). However, it was ODI cricket between 2016-2019, where the duo of Chahal-Kuldeep became a deadly combination. Lack of batting prowess probably hurt his ability to find a place in the XI more often.
Matches Played: 152
Wickets: 217
Player of Match Awards: 9
Player of Series Awards: 2
World Cup Winner? ✅
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: Highest wicket-taker in T20Is for India (96)
5359 runs at 37.47 average with 6 ODIs in the lower middle order, Jadeja will be remembered for match-winning knocks, quick finishes, and athletic fielding. International career ended due to match-fixing investigations.
Matches: 211
Runs: 5935
Player of Match Awards: 10
Player of Series Awards: 1
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: 50 dismissals to his name in ODIs to go along with 5000 runs
Pivotal to India’s maiden Test series victory in England, Sardesai had a fruitful 1971. 789 runs at 60.69 with three centuries. Also had a spectacular 1965, averaging 120 in 3 Tests against New Zealand.
Matches Played: 30
Runs: 2001
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: 642 Runs in West Indies (1970-71), 449 vs England (1963-64), scored 200* as his first hundred
Solid batter, had a great record against New Zealand – 507 runs at 84.5 with 3 centuries and England – 1181 runs at 43.74 with 3 centuries and 5 fifties.Scored 38 first class tons.
Matches Played: 55
Runs: 3208
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: 586 runs vs England (1961-62), Scored 100 in final Test
India’s best wicketkeeper before Kirmani. Had the challenge to keep to the Fab 4 spin quartet. Handy batter himself, scored 2 Test hundreds and 16 fifties.
Matches Played: 51
Runs: 2725
Player of Match Awards: 2 (1 ‘fielder of the match’)
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: Took 66 catches and inflicted 16 stumpings in Tests.
Now known for his public speaking abilities, it was Sidhu’s bat that did the talking in the late 80s and early 90s. Could hit sixes at will and established a formidable career as an opener. Has a double century to his name in the West Indies.
Matches Played: 187
Runs: 7615
Player of Match Awards: 15
Player of Series Awards: 4
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: Scored four consecutive centuries in the 1987 ODI WC
Player of the series in the 1985 World Championship of Cricket, Shastri won several matches for India in his career. Scored 11 Test hundreds including a 206 in Sydney along with 11 four-wicket hauls in Tests. Later, coached Team India and lives in the hearts & minds of Indian cricket fans through his voice.
Matches Played: 230
Wickets: 280, Runs: 6938
Player of Match Awards: 14
Player of Series Awards: 4
World Cup Winner? ✅
Captained India? ✅ (11 ODIs, 1 Test)
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: 77.75 average vs Australia (10 Tests), Player of the series (World Championship of Cricket)
Was the central figure behind the stumps in the seventies and eighties. Kept for India’s spin quartet, the dibbly dobbly medium pacers, and Kapil Dev. Two Test tons to his name as well.
Matches Played: 137
Runs: 3132
Player of Match Awards: 0
Player of Series Awards: 0
World Cup Winner? ✅
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: 3rd Most stumpings in a career.
India’s captain in the overseas 1971 Test victories over England and West Indies.Although he only had a solitary hundred in Test cricket (143), he dominated FC cricket: 15380 runs at 47.03 average and 36 centuries.
Matches Played: 39
Runs: 2186
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: Got close to Test hundred several times: 99, 91*, 91, 87, 85, 80.
Uncoventional, yet effective. Pant may rise up this list as his career grows, but he has already made a case for himself with his exploits in Test cricket, especially against Australia. 89* at the Gabba, 97 at Sydney (2021), 159* also at Sydney (2019), 146 at Birmingham, and 114 at the Oval. Also to make an international comeback and and help India lift the 2024 T20WC squad after the accident that changed his life around is a wonderful story on its own. Short career so far, but impactful nevertheless.
Matches Played: 139
Runs: 4345
Player of Match Awards: 4
Player of Series Awards: 1
World Cup Winner? ✅
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: Joint Most dismissal in a Test match (11 vs Australia, 2018), Six times dismissed in the 90s in Test cricket
43. Krishnamachari Srikkanth (1981-1992, Tamil Nadu)
Role: Batter
Before Sehwag, there was Srikkanth. Scoring 4091 ODI runs with 4 hundreds at 71.74 SR (quick for the time) established him as India’s mainstay at the top of the order. Top scored in the 1983 WC Final.
Matches Played: 189
Runs: 6153
Player of Match Awards: 13
Player of Series Awards: 1
World Cup Winner? ✅
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: Has a high score of 123 in both Tests and ODIs, Most Runs in World Championship of Cricket (1985)
Ishant Sharma’s spell against Ricky Pontinghad everyone convinced that India had found their next fast bowling sensation. Did he fulfill his potential? Maybe, maybe not. Described as ‘unlucky’ for early part of the career, the 2011 series against West Indies rejuvenated his Test career. He would go on to establish himself as the leader of the attack with a magnificent 7/74 at Lord’s in 2014.
Matches Played: 199
Wickets: 434
Player of Match Awards: 6
Player of Series Awards: 3
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ✅
Notable Achievements: 22 wickets vs West Indies (2011)
One of India’s most gifted swing bowlers.Set the tone in ODI cricket. Had his best Test against England at Lord’s in 2014 when he took 6/82. Also made several crucial runs at #8.
Matches Played: 229
Wickets: 294
Player of Match Awards: 11
Player of Series Awards: 4
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: 4th Most Maidens in T20I career (10)
Scored India’s first Test ton (and his only 100) and was independent India’s first Test captain. Also scored 31 first class hundreds and took 463 wickets to go along with 10,426 FC runs. A prominent figure in India’s early cricket history and contributed through various roles after his cricketing career.
Matches Played: 24
Runs: 878
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ✅
Notable Achievements: Scored India’s first Test hundred
Went onto score 112 during the partnership of 203 with Vijay Merchant, becoming the first Indian to score an overseas Test hundred. Had an outstanding FC career with 30 tons and over 13,000 runs.
Matches Played: 11
Runs: 612
Captained India? ✅
Notable Achievements: Scored India’s first overseas Test century, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is named after him
Not being picked for most of his 20s, Suryakumar Yadav has made the most of his opportunities since 2021. 2432* T20I runswith 4 T20I hundreds, 20 fifties, 168.65 SR at 42.66 average not only make him India’s premier T20 batter, but one of the best T20I batters of all-time.
Matches Played: 109
Runs: 3213
Player of Match Awards: 16
Player of Series Awards: 6
World Cup Winner? ✅
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: Most Player of the Match Awards in T20Is (16), 2nd Most T20I runs in a year (1164 in 2022)
India’s number 4-5-6 of Yuvraj-Dhoni-Raina is one of the most dynamic middle orders of all-time. Raina had it all, the off spin, the fielding, and the batting. His clutch finishes in the 2011 QF and SF will be remembered for generations to come. 5615 ODI runs at 93.5 SR establishes him as an ODI great.
Matches Played: 322
Runs: 7988
Player of Match Awards: 15
Player of Series Awards: 3
World Cup Winner? ✅
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: Hit century on Test debut (120), First Indian to score a century in each format
Mohammad Shami in the ODI World Cups is a legendary figure. 55 wickets, best of 7/57 at the best average (13.52) and best strike rate (15.81) of anyone in the list. Don’t forget his memorable spells in Test cricket either.
Matches Played: 188
Wickets: 448
Player of Match Awards: 9
Player of Series Awards: 1
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: 5th Most Wickets in ODI World Cups (55)
Possibly India’s most misunderstood cricketer, Gautam Gambhir’s performances at clutch times established him as the batter of his times. The 2007 T20 WC Final, 2011 ODI WC Final, and the stonewalling 137 against New Zealand will be remembered as his most prominent knocks.
Matches Played: 242
Runs: 10324
Player of Match Awards: 15
Player of Series Awards: 1
World Cup Winner? ✅
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: Highest Individual Scorer in the 2007 T20 World Cup Final (75) and the 2011 ODI World Cup Final (97), 463 runs vs Australia (2008-09), 445 runs vs New Zealand (2008-09)
Considered one of India’s greatest captains. Led India in its first overseas Test win (NZ, 1967).
Matches Played: 46
Runs: 2793
Player of Match Awards: 1 (‘batsman of the match’)
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: Wisden Cricketer of the Year (1968), Made 64 (206) and 148 (348) at #6 vs England in 1967. This still stands as a record for the most number of balls played by a #6 batter in the history of Test cricket (554).
Although Venkataraghavan had 1390 wickets in his first class career, he was often left out as the fourth of the spin quartet. Yet he played for 18 years and took 156 Test wickets. Was India’s captain in the 1975 & 1979 ODI World Cups.
Matches Played: 72
Wickets: 161
Player of Match Awards: 0
Player of Series Awards: 0
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ✅ (7 Tests, 5 ODIs)
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: Best of 8/72 vs New Zealand (1965), took 35 wickets in the 1970-71 season
Will always be remembered for the player of the match in the 1983 ODI WC that changed the nature of Indian cricket. Was a stellar batter in his own right. In the 1982 season, he scored 1077 runs, 4 hundreds, and 7 fifties.
Matches Played: 154
Runs: 6302, Wickets: 78
Player of Match Awards: 10
Player of Series Awards: 2
World Cup Winner? ✅
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: Player of the 1983 World Cup Final, 598 runs vs West Indies (1982-83), 584 vs Pakistan (1982-83), 445 runs vs Australia (1977-78), 237 runs & 8 wickets in 1983 ODI WC
Yet another member of the famed quartet, Prasanna was known for his flight. Dominated the Trans-Tasman teams in the late 1960s and the main contributor to India’s first Test overseas victory in New Zealand. He was a beast at the FC level, 957 wickets and 54,823 balls bowled. He was also an engineer.
Matches Played: 49
Wickets: 189
Player of Match Awards: 1 (‘bowler of the match’)
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: 26 Wickets vs Australia (1969-70), 25 Wickets vs Australia (1967-68), 24 Wicket vs New Zealand (1967-68), 8/76 vs New Zealand
A player for the ICC tournaments like no other. Shikhar Dhawan between 2013-2019 was one of India’s prime match winners. Unfortunate injury in the 2019 World Cup ended his stint at the top, but not before he scored yet another magnificent century. Formed the star top order with Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli.
Matches Played: 269
Runs: 10867
Player of Match Awards: 19
Player of Series Awards: 4
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: 187 on Test debut, Player of the Series & Most Runs – 2013 Champions Trophy, Most Runs – 2017 Champions Trophy, Highest Runs for India – 2015 ODI World Cup, Scored 5193 runs with Rohit Sharma
Marred by polio, Chandrasekhar had a different sort of jumpy action. The fact that he established a career is astonishing by itself. That he took 242 Test wickets, 42 in overseas conditions, is even more staggering.
Matches Played: 59
Wickets: 245
Player of Match Awards: 1 (‘bowler of the match’)
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: 35 wickets vs England (1972-73), 28 Wickets vs Australia (1977-78), Best of 8/79 vs England (1972), 16 career 50fers
The Ashes documentary sums up the significance of Cheteshwar Pujara pretty well. ‘This man just bats…and bats…and bats…’ India will always remain indebted to Pujara for their first Test series victory in Australia in 2018. And in the 2020-21 series, he was just as gritty, assured, and monumental to India’s win. With 100 Tests and 19 hundreds to his name, he is has become a certified legend.
Matches Played: 108
Runs: 7246
Player of Match Awards: 6
Player of Series Awards: 2
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India?❌
100 Tests? ✅
Notable Achievements: 521 runs vs Australia (2018-2019)
One of the more stylish batters, Viswanath was a mainstay of the Indian middle order for much of the 1970s. His name is connected to Sunil Gavaskar in more ways than one.
Matches Played: 116
Runs: 6519
Player of Match Awards: 2
Player of Series Awards: 0
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ✅ (2 Tests, 1 ODI)
100 Tests? ✅
Notable Achievements: 568 runs vs West Indies (1974-75), 518 runs vs Australia (1979-1980), 497 vs West Indies (1978-79), 473 vs Australia (1977-78), 466 vs England (1981-82), Scored a century on debut
A man with three FC triple centuries batting at #8 shows you the depth in Indian cricket. Jadeja can finish T20 games, can score 77 in an ODI World Cup semi-final, destroy opponents with his spin or with his iconic direct hits. An all-rounder in all sense of the game. Currently #7 on India’s most Test & ODI wicket-taker list and still rising up the charts. 25 player of the match awards – Wow!
Matches Played: 343
Wickets: 568, Runs: 6307
Player of Match Awards: 25
Player of Series Awards: 2
World Cup Winner? ✅
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: 26 Wickets vs England (2016-17), 26 Wickets vs Australia (2016-17), 24 Wickets vs Australia (2012-13), 23 wickets vs South Africa (2015-16), Best of 7/42 vs Australia (2023), Most Wickets in the 2013 Champions Trophy
India’s 2011 World Cup is remembered by many moments—Dhoni’s 97* and the six, Gambhir’s 91, Yuvraj Singh’s all-round performances, Suresh Raina’s crucial finishes, Tendulkar’s hundreds. But none of it would be possible without Zaheer Khan’s 21 wickets (joint most of the WC). His Test career was pretty stellar as well with 311 wickets. His stellar record against Graeme smith, the swing, his action, and celebrations will be what he is remembered by.
Matches Played: 303
Wickets: 597
Player of Match Awards: 12
Player of Series Awards: 3
World Cup Winner? ✅
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌ (92)
Notable Achievements: Highest Wicket-Taker of the 2011 ODI CWC
116 Tests, 6868 runs, 17 hundreds, 42.13 average. By the time he retired, he was statistically the best batter in the country after Sunil Gavaskar. Made the #3 position his own.
Matches Played: 245
Runs: 10376
Player of Match Awards: 9
Player of Series Awards: 3
World Cup Winner? ✅
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ✅
Notable Achievements: Scored 4 hundreds in 1979, 4 in 1986, and 4 in 1987.
Captain charismatic, wristy, and soft spoken, Azharuddin ruled the hearts of Indian cricket fans in the 90s. With 9378 ODI runs and 6215 Test runs, Azhar was central to India’s middle order. Unfortunately, the match fixing scandal brought down his career.
Matches Played: 433
Runs: 15593
Player of Match Awards: 23
Player of Series Awards: 6
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ❌ (99)
Notable Achievements: Scored hundreds in 3 consecutive Tests, scored a hundred on debut.
Regarded as “Bradman of the East”, Merchant scored 13470 first class runs at an average of 71.64 with 45 centuries. His international career was stalled due to the Second World War, but was considered one of the greats of the era. Spearheaded the legacy of Bombay’s batting in Indian cricket.
Matches Played: 10
Runs: 859
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: Scored his highest score of 154 in his last innings in 1951.
If you are an Indian cricket fan, you have copied Harbhajan Singh’s bowling action in your living room on your way to the kitchen. Harbhajan was a mainstay in India’s XI for the better part of the decade in both Tests and ODIs. His contributions to the 2001 Australia series will always go down as one of India’s best individual performances. Also a handy six hitter down the order.
Matches Played: 365
Wickets: 707
Player of Match Awards: 11
Player of Series Awards: 4
World Cup Winner? ✅✅
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ✅
Notable Achievements: 25 career Test 5-fers, 32 Wickets vs Australia (2000-01), Best of 8/84 vs Australia
47.65 average with 7 centuries in Test cricket. His record in FC cricket even more incredible—18,740 runs, 60 tons, average of 58.38, and a couple of triple centuries to go with it. Also had 595 first class wickets. Led India to its first Test win, and according to The Wisden Cricketer, “When World II brought cricket to a standstill, much of the credit for keeping the game alive in India must go to Hazare, who with Vijay Merchant took part in run-scoring duels that drew crowds of 20-30,000 to Bombay’s Braborne Stadium.”
Matches Played: 30
Runs: 2192
Captained India? ✅
Notable Achievements: Scored an innings in each Test against Australia, first Indian to do so, scored centuries in 3 consecutive Tests, 543 runs vs West Indies (1948-49), first Indian cricketer to score a Ranji trophy triple century. The Vijay Hazare Trophy is named in his honor
Gupte was considered the best leg spinner of his era. His 9/102 was the best individual performance for decades to come. Unfortunately, he ended his career at 32 after a controversy in which he was wrongfully accused.
Matches Played: 36
Wickets: 149
Captained India? ❌
Notable Achievements: 34 wickets vs New Zealand (1955-56), 27 Wickets vs West Indies (1952-53), 9/102 vs West Indies (1958)
According to Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, Mankad was “one of the greatest allrounders that India has ever produced.” His name gets maligned with the form of dismissal, but Mankad is truly one of India’s legends. Was the other batter with Pankaj Roy in the record 413-run partnership.
Matches Played: 44
Runs: 2109, Wickets: 162
Captained India? ✅
Notable Achievements: 526 runs vs New Zealand (1955-56), 34 wickets vs England (1951-52), 25 wickets vs Pakistan (1952-53), 8/52 vs Pakistan (1952), 9/55 vs England (1952)
When Yuvraj was on rhythm, there was no stopping him. He performed when it mattered the most, 2002 Natwest Trophy Final, 2007 SF vs Australia, and 2011 – The Entire World Cupwith both bat and ball. With the backdrop of cancer in the 2011 CWC, Yuvraj’s story is extraordinary. India never really truly replaced Yuvraj at #4 for the better part of the decade.
Matches Played: 399
Runs: 11686
Player of Match Awards: 34
Player of Series Awards: 8
World Cup Winner? ✅✅
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements:Six sixes vs England in the 2007 T20 World Cup, Player of the Tournament – 2011 ODI WC
Without Bumrah, there would be no 2024 T20 World Cup victory. Without Bumrah, there wouldn’t be several of the Test victories. When India needs to pull victory from the jaws of defeat, the ball is thrown to Jasprit Bumrah. Once in a generation comes a player so unique that everybody can just sit back and appreciate. We don’t know how Bumrah does what he does, but he is India’s national treasure for sure.
Matches Played: 195
Wickets: 397
Player of Match Awards: 13
Player of Series Awards: 5
World Cup Winner? ✅
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ❌ (Not Yet)
Notable Achievements: Player of the Tournament in the 2024 T20 World Cup, 23 wickets vs England (2021-22)
Perhaps played the greatest innings in the 21st century. The 281 against Australia came against a rampant Australian side while Indian cricket was reeling with the match-fixing scandal. VVS Laxman’s innings changed the narrative and drew India into its golden age. Will be remembered for his knocks against Australia across formats as well as the three gutsy rearguard knocks in 2010.
Matches Played: 220
Runs: 11119
Player of Match Awards: 10
Player of Series Awards: 1
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ✅
Notable Achievements: 503 runs vs Australia (2000-01), 494 runs vs Australia (2003-04), 474 runs vs West Indies (2002)
319, 309, 293, 254. Virender Sehwag’s legacy will forever be attached to his mammoth Test hundreds. He set the tone in ODI cricket as an opener, but it was Test cricket where Viru’s greatness is defined.
Matches Played: 363
Runs: 16892
Player of Match Awards: 31
Player of Series Awards: 6
World Cup Winner? ✅✅
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ✅
Notable Achievements: Highest Individual Test Score for India, 219 in ODI, 544 runs vs Pakistan (2004-05), 491 vs Sri Lanka (2009-10), 464 vs Australia (2003-04)
According to Sunil Gavaskar, Bedi was the “finest left-hand bowler” he had ever seen. At the time of his retirement, Bedi’s was the highest wicket-taker in Tests for India (266). Also took a mammoth 1560 wickets in first class cricket thanks to his exploits with Northamptonshire in County Cricket. Formed India’s fearsome spin quartet.
Matches Played: 77
Wickets: 273
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: 31 Wickets vs Australia (1977-78), 25 Wickets vs England (1976-77), 25 Wickets vs England (1972-73), 22 wickets vs New Zealand (1976-77), 14 career 5-fers
All the accolades India are receiving now can be traced back to the captaincy of Sourav Ganguly. He instilled confidence in the young side and helped build the cored that lifted the 2011 ODI World Cup (Zaheer, Sehwag, Yuvraj). Apart from captaincy, will go down as one of the great ODI batters in the history of the game.
Matches Played: 421
Runs: 18433
Player of Match Awards: 37
Player of Series Awards: 9
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ✅
Notable Achievements: 534 runs vs Pakistan (2007-08), 4th Most Player of the Match Awards for India
One of the great Test off-spinners of all-time, Ravichandran Ashwin helped establish the home Tests as a fortress. Apart from bowling, Ashwin established himself as one of premier spinner all-rounders of the generations with six Test centuries. His fighting spirit in BGT in the Sydney Test, holding up an end while battling a back injury epitomizes his character. One of the great thinkers of the game.
Matches Played: 281
Wickets: 744, Runs: 4200
Player of Match Awards: 16
Player of Series Awards: 11
World Cup Winner? ✅
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ✅
Notable Achievements: 32 Wickets vs England (2020-21), 31 Wickets vs South Africa (1979-1980), 29 Wickets vs Australia (2012-13), 28 Wickets vs England (2016-17), 27 Wickets vs New Zealand (2016-17), 26 Wickets vs England (2023-24), 25 Wickets vs Australia (2022-23), 36 career 5-fers
Took the baton from Vijay Merchant to continue to Mumbai school of batting. At the time of his retirement, Umrigar held the record for the most Tests, most runs, and most wickets.
Matches Played: 59
Runs: 3631
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ✅
Notable Achievements: 560 runs vs West Indies (1952-53), Scored a 100 and took 5 wickets vs West Indies (1962)
One of the most pleasing batters to watch (especially the pull shot), Sharma has a made a career on the back of gigantic ODI hundreds: 264, 209, 208*, 171*, 162, 159, 152*, 150. Begun as a 2007 T20 World Cup champion, dropped before the 2011 WC, and reinvented his career as an opener in 2013. Post-2013, he never looked back. Finally made it big as a Test opener late in his career and capped his legacy with the great runs in the 2023 ODI WC and the 2024 T20 WC win as captain.
Matches Played: 481
Runs: 19199
Player of Match Awards: 42
Player of Series Awards: 9
World Cup Winner? ✅✅
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: 2024 T20 World Cup & 2025 ICC Champions Trophy winning captain, 529 runs vs South Africa (2019-20), Scored 3 double centuries in ODI cricket
‘Jumbo’ is still India’s highest wicket-taker in ODIs and Tests. A central figure in India’s XI for a decade and a half, he will always be remembered for his 10-wicket inning haul against Pakistan. Retired on a high as India’s Test captain.
Matches Played: 401
Wickets: 953
Player of Match Awards: 16
Player of Series Awards: 5
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ✅
Notable Achievements: 35 career 5-fers, 27 Wickets vs Australia (2004-05), 24 wickets vs Australia (2003-04), 23 wickets vs Australia (1997-98), 23 wickets vs West Indies (2006), 10/74 vs Pakistan and 8/141 vs Australia
The man in the center of each of India’s memorable overseas Test victories, Rahul Dravid, ‘The Wall’ was the glue to India’s middle order. He adapted his way to a fruitful ODI career, became a wicketkeeper, a captain, and eventually an U-19 & senior World Cup winning coach.
Matches Played: 504
Runs: 24064
Player of Match Awards: 25
Player of Series Awards: 4
World Cup Winner? ❌ (Not as player)
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ✅
Notable Achievements: 619 runs vs Australia (2003-04), 602 vs England (2002), 496 runs vs West Indies (2006), 461 runs vs England (2011), Highest Scorer of the 1999 ODI Cricket World Cup
MS Dhoni arrived to the scene with the 148 v Pakistan and 183* v Sri Lanka in 2005 with that iconic hair. However, it was his exploits as captain between 2007 to 2013 (and later with the Chennai Super Kings franchise), that took him from great to legendary status. And don’t forget, behind the stumps, he was best in the business with lightning fast stumpings.
Matches Played: 535
Runs: 17092
Player of Match Awards: 22
Player of Series Awards: 6
World Cup Winner? ✅ ✅
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: Player of the 2011 World Cup Final, Captain of India as India lifted the 2007 T20WC, 2011 ODIWC, and 2013 Champions Trophy
From a brash young man to fitness freak to the great Test captain, Virat Kohli’s evolution has been a dream to follow. Perhaps the greatest ODI batter and definitely the greatest chaser of all-time, his attitude defined his greatness and carried India to the upper echelons of world cricket.
Matches Played: 531
Runs: 26922*
Player of Match Awards: 67
Player of Series Awards: 19
World Cup Winner? ✅ ✅
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ✅
Notable Achievements:
692 runs vs Australia (BGT 2014-15), 655 vs England (2016-17), 610 vs Sri Lanka (2017-18), 593 vs England (2018)
Captain. All-rounder. Fast Bowler. Lower Order Six Hitter. India has never and may never see an enigmatic character like Kapil Dev again.434 wickets and 175* in the pivotal 1983 WC match against Zimbabwe are some of the highlights of his career.
Matches Played: 356
Wickets: 687, Runs: 9031
Player of Match Awards: 19
Player of Series Awards: 5
World Cup Winner? ✅
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ✅
Notable Achievements: India’s first WC winning captain, 303 runs & 12 wickets in the 1983 WC, 23 career Test 5-fers, Best of 9/83 vs WI, 8/85 vs Pakistan, and 8/106 vs Australia, 32 Wickets vs Pakistan (1979-1980), 29 wickets vs West Indies (1983-84), 28 Wickets vs Australia (1979-1980), 25 wickets vs Australia (1991-92), 24 wickets vs Pakistan (1982-83)
India’s first superstar, Sunil Gavaskar defied bowling attacks around the world without a helmet. 10,000 runs and 34 Test hundreds became the benchmark for other batters to follow. The original ‘Little Master.’
Matches Played: 233
Runs: 13214
Player of Match Awards: 10
Player of Series Awards: 3
World Cup Winner? ✅
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ✅
Notable Achievements: 774 runs in West Indies (1970-71), 732 runs vs West Indies in India (1978-1979), 542 runs vs England (1979), 529 runs vs Pakistan (1979-1980), 505 runs vs West Indies (1983-84), 500 runs vs England (1981-82), 450 runs vs Australia (1977-78), 447 runs vs Pakistan (1977-78), World Championship of Cricket Winning Captain (1985)
Virat Kohli summed up Tendulkar’s contribution aptly after the 2011 ODI World Cup triumph, “Tendulkar has carried the burden of the nation for 21 years.” Probably the greatest batter since Donald Bradman, Tendulkar was the soul of Indian cricket for two decades. Oh and his 154 ODI wickets largely go unnoticed in a career of stellar batting performances, but could have made a career as a successful leg spinner as well.
Matches Played: 664
Runs: 34357, Wickets: 201
Player of Match Awards: 76
Player of Series Awards: 19
World Cup Winner? ✅
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ✅✅
Notable Achievements: Highest Scorer in the 1996, 2003, 2011 WCs, 51 Test 100s, 49 ODI 100s (Hundred Hundreds), First Player to Breach the 200-run mark in ODI cricket, 493 runs vs Australia (2007-08), 446 runs vs Australia (1997-98)
Cricket can be separated into three financial segments: (1) India, (2) Australia-England, and (3) The Rest of the World. Financial growth means more talent acquisition, robust systems, better grassroots growth, and eventually, more World Cup wins.
Simple as that. Australia has been employing this model for decades.
India last won an ICC trophy in 2013, when the IPL was still in an infancy and the ‘Big 3’ were coming into being.
Team India has finally attained the silverware they deeply desired. The 2024 T20 World Cup victory ensures that the domination of Indian cricket has begun.
Indian cricket is now officially a monopoly in the cricketing world.
The Pros and the Cons of an Indian Cricket Monopoly
The Affirmative
Just like almost everything in life, there are two sides of the coin. First we begin with the affirmative.
1. Jarrod Kimber argues that the IPL and money flowing in cricket means players like Ali Khan and other Associate cricketers can now become professionals. Cricket has lost many cricketers like American legend Bart King because their individual international teams were simply not good enough. And this is not the first time we are seeing a monopoly in cricket. The Sunil Gavaskars, West Indian legends, South Africans, etc. played in County Cricket because it offered cricketers a great experience and financial incentive back then.
2. Furthermore, when Indian cricket grows, not only do Indian players flourish, but international players prosper as well. The profits BCCI earns are reinvested in the sport along with donations made to charities and investing in other sports. Sounds all pretty and rosy, doesn’t it?
3. The growth of the IPL has also resulted in the growth of other leagues around the world. While the CPL, PSL, and SA20 might not be at the same level as the IPL, one can argue that these tournaments have rekindled the passion for cricket that was missing in these regions and have provided additional opportunities.
4. The IPL provides financial security. Indian cricketers can now take up cricket as a viable career even if they do not make the international level.
The main argument against the Indian monopoly is that the BCCI can strong arm any cricketing decision to be in their favor.
1. Case and point, the 2025 Champions Trophy. Pakistan are scheduled to host this tournament with India’s matches currently slated in Lahore. What is most likely going to happen is after few uncertain months, India will end up playing their matches in a neutral venue while the rest of the tournament takes place in Pakistan.
2. Despite the political tensions and bilateral international boycott against Pakistan, India will most definitely still be looped into the same group as Pakistan in every single tournament from now till forever. Why? Because money.
3. The backbone of the Indian monopoly lies in the Indian players. As long as professional Indian cricketers are barred from playing non-IPL leagues, the IPL will remain the greatest domestic T20 competition. Every other league is essentially fighting to be the second best league because there is no chance to upstage the IPL or just survive.
4. We can already see what happens when a couple of nations dominate the ICC decision making. We get 10-team World Cups, an unbalanced World Test Championship, direct entry to World Cups (without qualifiers for top teams), lack of knockouts in World Cup formats, no tangible movement for 2-tiered Test system, and many other such great ideas that do not see the light of day.
5. And finally, there are unspoken decisions that make you wonder: quasi-guarantee of last group match (in case NRR goes south), no reserve day for one semi-final, no evening matches (to potentially avoid dew), biased commentary, and a favorable flight schedule unlike Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and later Afghanistan.
Post the US Civil War (1861-1865), America entered the ‘Gilded Age’ that lasted till the end of the twentieth century. This was an era marked by remarkable economic growth, Industrial Revolution, and railroad expansion but also widespread political corruption, poor working conditions, strikes, and economic inequality in the United States.
I recommend you watch The Men Who Built Americaon Amazon Prime. It covers the stories of JP Morgan, John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, Cornelius Vanderbilt, and Henry Ford and portrays the journey of the great monopolies—U.S. Steel, Standard Oil, Tobacco Company, etc.
According to Statista, John D. Rockefeller’s net worth (inflation adjusted as of 2006) was $305.3 billion. Carnegie ($281.2 billion) and Vanderbilt ($168.4 billion) closely followed.
These men ran businesses unchecked across America for several decades until the Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890 (and later, the Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914) finally began to restore free market competition.
Most of these businessmen would go on to become larger than life philanthropists later in life and by the time the era had come to an end, the US had become a global economic superpower.
BCCI, fueled by the IPL, may change the economic face of cricket in the generations to follow, but cricket needs its own version of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act before it is too late.
A Warning
The economic imbalance had become so extreme that JP Morgan had to loan money to the US government and pull banks out of the Panic of 1907.
In the current proposed financial ICC model, BCCI is set to earn 38.5% of the ICC share (approximately $231 million out of the estimated $600 million) over the next four-year cycle. Apart from this revenue, Indian cricket earn loads of money from the IPL and broadcast deals. Imagine a situation where the BCCI loans money to the ICC in times of crisis and thereby holds a higher leverage in international cricket.
There are plenty of other examples of monopolies in world history as well. Think Dutch East India Company, the British Empire, De Beers, AT&T, and now the Big Tech companies in the US or the Ambanis and Adanis in India.
Just like them, the Indian cricket machinery has now has become both a soft and hard power in international cricket.
In fact, India has now become the new benevolent dictator in cricket. Is this good or bad?
Jimmy Anderson bowled over 40,000 balls in Test cricket over an international career encompassing 5 FIFA World Cups, 6 Harry Potter movies, 8 British Prime Ministers, 8 full-time England captains, 11 Taylor Swift albums, 20 ICC Men’s tournaments, formation of four independent nations, a worldwide recession, advent of generative AI, and a global pandemic. Sir Andrew Strauss debuted after him, retired before him, captained him, took slip catches for him, became the Director of England cricket, and stepped down between the ends of Anderson’s career.
Anderson has lived through the birth of T20 cricket and what feels like the death of Test cricket (joking, joking…or am I?).
Why I Will Always Remember Jimmy
I will always remember Jimmy Anderson because he made me fall in love with swing bowling.
I was just a six year old when I started following cricket – must have been around 2003-04. After the India-Australia Adelaide Test, I wanted to be a batter like Rahul Dravid. Just keep on defending balls and bat all day long.
By watching Anderson, I realized cricket was a lot more than just batting. In English conditions, he could really make the ball talk. When he bowled, cricket became a true battle between bat and ball, with ample swings & misses, the outside edges, and the oohs & aahs.
When I immigrated from India to the US, Jimmy Anderson was bowling. I finished elementary school. Jimmy Anderson? Still bowling. I graduated high school, college, graduate school, and now working. Anderson? Yep, still there.
Between Jimmy’s debut and retirement, we all grew up. I definitely did.
Let’s Talk About That Action, Shall We?
He had it all, in swing, out swing, late swing, reverse swing, wobble seam, a bit of pace, but most of all, the perfect swing bowling action.
Every cricket fan has copied Jimmy Anderson’s action at some point in their lives. The steady run up, slightly angling in, the swift movement of the shoulders, arms going behind the back, bit of a jump, the follow through, and then the celebration. It’s magic.
The Moments that Lifted Anderson from Good to Great
Anderson had several great moments and stories in his illustrious career. Magnificent deliveries to VVS Laxman, Brendon McCullum, and Michael Clarke to name a few, consistent performances against West Indies, South Africa, and Sri Lanka, the 7/43 vs New Zealand, Ashes victories, 2015 ODI WC debacle, and the Steyn vs Anderson debate. I picked a few other characteristics in his career that stood out to me.
– Bowling Partnership with Stuart Broad
1308 wickets among them. The top two highest wicket takers for fast bowlers. Anderson took 537 wickets when Broad was involved. Broad took 502 of his 604 with Anderson in it. When Broad had one of THOSE spells, Anderson kept it tight. When Anderson was on a roll, Broad kept it tight. A partnership to behold, a partnership for the ages that made England a fortress at home for a decade.
– 2014 & 2018 Battle vs Virat Kohli
Anderson was the highest wicket-taker of the 2014 Pataudi trophy with 25 wickets, a class apart.Kohli was caught behind by Anderson on 25 (34) in the2nd Test, and later was out on 39 (75), 0(2), and 7 (11)later.
In 2018, the battle continued but Virat Kohli had his redemption. Aside from couple of dropped catches, Kohli returned with scores of 149, 51, 97, 103, 46, 58, and 49with no dismissals from Anderson.
– The Ashes
117 wickets in the Ashes with 8 four-fers and 5 five-fers, Anderson left his mark in the Ashes.
– Anderson vs Mitchell Johnson
In this video, you see a different side of Anderson. At the peak of his powers, Mitchell Johnson sledges Anderson. In reply, Anderson takes a wicket the next ball and gives one back to Johnson!
– Success in Asia and India
His last two tours in India were remarkable. He took 8 wickets at 15.87 average in 2021and 10 wickets at 33.5 in 2024. In all, he took 92 wickets in Asia at 27.51. Not bad for one mocked as ‘Clouderson.’ He adapted and evolved with age.
Also fun fact, even though Anderson didn’t play an ODI match for about a decade, he is STILL the highest ODI wicket taker for England.
What Can We Learn From Jimmy Anderson?
Anderson’s longevity as a fast bowler will be marveled at for generations, but it was his swing bowling that set him apart. He developed this skill and kept refining it year after year until there was no match for him.
He utilized the English conditions like no other, kept himself fit for two decades, became a leader to the next generation, and was a great bloke all around. Rarely has someone come along who has single-handedly impacted England cricket, cricket as a whole, and the art form of fast bowling.
From the iPod 3rd generation to iPhone 15 Pro Max, from Beckham to Kane (Are the Euros coming home?); from the historic Volkswagen Beetle to self-driving Teslas, from Andrew Flintoff to Rocky Flintoff, and from Queen Elizabeth II to King Charles III, Anderson has seen it all.
Salute to you. There were never be another Jimmy Anderson.
Thank you for a special 20 years, I will cherish it forever.
****
What were your favorite Jimmy Anderson moments?
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Once upon a time, a father observed his three sons arguing. So just like any dad, he decided to teach them a lesson.
He gave each of his kids a bundle of sticks and asked them to break it.
The first son went in with confidence, but fell short of breaking it. The second kid tried really hard as well, but couldn’t break through. The third son also ended up with the same result.
Then, the father separated the bundle, and asked his sons to repeat the task. To their surprise, each of them was able to break all the sticks this time around, one by one.
What did they learn? Unity is Strength. By keeping the sticks together, the whole became stronger.
Much like this tale, India’s 2024 T20 World Cup campaign was marked by unity. There was no one performer or one star this time around.
Virat Kohli, the golden boy of Indian cricket for over a decade, could not make a run for his life. India found a new match winner in every game—Bumrah, Arshdeep, Suryakumar Yadav, Pandya, Rohit, and Axar all produced player of the match performances while Rishabh Pant and Shivam Dube played handy cameos throughout the World Cup.
In the final, Kohli steadied the ship with a 76, Axar’s 47 marked India’s recovery, and Dube’s 27 (16) provided the finishing spark that was much needed. In the second innings, Bumrah started with one of the balls of the tournament to dismiss Reeza Hendricks and Arshdeep took out Markram.
What followed was a brilliant counterattack from South Africa through Quinton de Kock, Tristan Stubbs, and Heinrich Klaasen, who unleashed one of the most memorable innings in a World Cup final.
But then, South African ran into the bundle of sticks.
Rishabh Pant helped India get an injury break and disrupted South Africa’s momentum. Pandya then dismissed Klaasen with a clever wide delivery, Bumrah gave nothing away and went through Jansen’s gates. Following up, Arshdeep bowled a cracker of a 19th over and stifled Maharaj, Hardik kept it tight in the 20th, and SKY, who had a middling tournament by his standards, came through with one of those acrobatic catches when it mattered the most.
Even if one of those pieces in the last 28 balls had not come together, India would have lost. But together, they proved to be too strong to break.
Ludwig van Beethoven, perhaps the most recognized composer of them all, left his best for last.
Beethoven’s wrote his Ninth Symphony when he was almost completely deaf. The fourth moment, Ode to Joy, is often regarded as one of the greatest pieces of classical music of all-time. Composer Tan Dun states that
“Everybody loved Beethoven. The enemy loved Beethoven. The friends loved Beethoven. The dictatorship loved Beethoven. But also, the gentle, the people, the kids, the mothers, the women loved Beethoven.”
Rahul Dravid, one of the greatest cricketers of all-time, left his best for last as well. Although Dravid is not going deaf, his hairs have definitely grayed. The WTC Final and 2023 ODI World Cup Final losses would have been hurting deep into his heart.
Everybody loves Rahul Dravid, friends and foes alike. Dravid is one of the most loved and respected cricketers out there (and was also named India’s most sexiest man in 2005, fun fact). He has accomplished everything..well almost everything except for a World Cup. He had won a World Cup with the U-19 team earlier team, but this was different. This was personal.
In 2007, India crashed out of the group stage under Dravid’s captaincy in the Caribbean. History must have been weighing on him. The weight of the nation must have been weighing on him.
17 years later, Dravid came back to the Caribbean yet again with the quest of a World Cup. At last, Dravid orchestrated his most famous symphony.
“Something needs to change. Otherwise all that will be left is broken dreams.”
After the semi-finals loss against England, Rohit Sharma insisted on a change of approach, which was apparent in the dream 2023 ODI World Cup run at home (until the final). By the time we got to June 2024, the change was complete.
Both Rohit and Virat had transformed their playing styles. Rohit Sharma’s 92 against Australia will be talked about for years to come.
What about Virat Kohli? If South Africa had won the final, Kohli’s final knock may have been criticized. In hindsight, it was exactly the knock India needed from its talisman. The 2014 semi-final knock vs South Africa, the 82* at Mohali, the 82* in Adelaide and those sixes against Haris Rauf. People will always remember those, but they will now also remember how Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma helped India win a World Cup.
Their leadership and legacy is now etched in history with this World Cup dream. Broken Dreams no more.
Jasprit Bumrah was the section leader for India’s bowlers.
He delivered with several solo performances, but also guided the rest of the bowlers along with him.
When there is a Bumrah, there is always a way. How does he keep doing it? Regardless of the format, pitch conditions, opposition, he delivers day in and day out. Player of the tournament for a reason. We are seeing the development of one of the greats in front our eyes.
India should appreciate, cherish, and keep Bumrah in cotton wool for as long as possible.
“It’s your reaction to adversity, not adversity itself that determines how your life’s story will develop.”
– Deiter F. Uchtdorf, German aviator and religious leader
This quote embodies Hardik Pandya. He is always in the news for one reason or the other, but this season has been really tough for him.
Hardik Pandya was booed all throughout IPL 2024 after he became Mumbai Indians’ captain. MI did not qualify for the playoffs and to make matters worse, he was in abysmal form himself. There were calls to not select him in the World Cup squad.
And the way he reacted to this adversity and came back is a story to behold. He kept his cool in the press conferences in the IPL and let his performances do the talking in the World Cup. He struck first against Pakistan, had a couple of great all-round shows, and capped it off with Klaasen-Miller’s wickets in the final.
Pastor T.D. Jakes once said, “A setback is a setup for a comeback.”
Rishabh Pant has endured the unimaginable over the last couple of years. The fact that he survived is a big deal on its own. To have the motivation and drive to play cricket again and that also at the highest level, is spectacular.
And then to make a comeback in the IPL and later in international cricket is out of the world. His scores of 36*, 42, 18, 20, 36, 15 might not blow the opposition out, but it is exactly what was needed by the #3. Kept the momentum going.
And boy, he was quite active behind the stumps! Not to forget the Gulbadin moment in the final.
Axar Patel was the missing ingredient India did not realize they had.
Over the last few ICC events, India have carried both Jadeja & Pandya in the XI, but somehow were always missing a bowling option or batting depth that ended up haunting them. Recall batting collapses in 2017 Champions Trophy Final & 2019 ODI SF or lack of bowling options in the 2016 T20 WC SF or 2023 ODI WC Final.
With Axar, Rohit could rotate the bowling around, add Kuldeep or Siraj based on conditions, and switch up the batting line up. The Grade Cricketer podcast sums Axar’s impact really well.
“The versatility is unrivaled….What..What a cricketer. He can bat 5 and make 47 in a World Cup final and also spin teams out in Test matches. I don’t know who else can do that!”
You can’t help but feel happy for Kuldeep Yadav. After all that he went through from 2020-22, Kuldeep is back with a bang!
He did not play the first few matches in fast bowling friendly USA, but the difference in the Caribbean with figures of 2/32, 3/19, 2/24, 3/19 before the 0/45 in the final. With Bumrah and Kuldeep in your XI, opposition just has 12 overs to hit.
His selection in the squad was courageous. His selection in the XI was courageous. Even though he started with scores of 14 (16), 0*(2), and 3 (9), he was persisted with. That was courageous.
And just like the lion in Oz, he lifted himself up when it mattered the most. Staying till the end of the chase with 31*(35) when India were struggling against USA, 34 (24) vs Bangladesh, 28 (22) vs Australia, and saving his best for last—27 (16).
For a known spin basher, he started off with a six against Marco Jansen in the final. Courage.
From 108/4 in 14 overs, India scored 68 in the final 6, and the rest, as we say, is history.
In this WC, Jadeja did not bat much, bowl much, and did not even inflict a direct hit. But the fact that he was there made all the difference.
Rohit Sharma was able to rotate the bowlers, keep flexibility in the batting order, and kept the opposition at bay with the thought that India still has a #8 with three first class triple centuries, a luxury South Africa did not have. Also announced his retirement along with Rohit & Kohli.
Ended with figures of 3-0-13-1, 4-0-19-0, and 4-0-25-0. Pretty solid returns.
Yuzvendra Chahal
Although Chahal is India’s highest wicket taker in T20Is, he is yet to play a T20 World Cup match. But does that really matter anymore?
Sanju Samson
The victory you know. The luck factor, you don’t. In all seriousness, if you have someone with the skill of Sanju Samson on the bench, you must have an absolutely amazing team.
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Jaiswal’s time will come. He will carry the torch of Indian cricket for the next generation along with Shubman Gill and a few others.
Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan
Although the reserve players did not get a chance in the final 15, they traveled with the squad throughout the tournament and attended several matches. Not once, did they show their disappointment. When India were happy, they were happy.
God’s Plan.
Support Staff, Physios, Selectors
Ajit Agarkar and co have been criticized for picking the seniors and dropping Rinku Singh. At the end, it all worked out, didn’t it?
Also we cannot forget the contributions of the physios, data analysts, support staff, and several hundred others who played a role in the background. India’s victory could not have been possible without them.
Final Thought, Thank You Team India
In an orchestra, everyone from the first chair to the last stand must be focused and switched on at all times. The bows need to go in the same direction, the entrances need to be spot on, the solos need to be spectacular, the tempo should be consistent, and the instruments need to be in tune. Finally, the director needs to ensure all the sections—the strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion are all on the same page.
And when everything comes together, it is just so beautiful.
Thank you to India’s bowlers, batters, fielders, coaches, support staff, and the fans. They joined together and delivered when it mattered the most.
And the celebration was felt around the world. Robin Uthappa, R Ashwin, Rayudu, Ishant Sharma were visibly emotional on camera. So many cricketers before them have helped India grow and many such cricketers will continue to move Indian cricket forward.
Recently, I posted a research article on the financials of County Cricket, which revealed the recent profit & loss trends of each County Cricket Club.
However, one piece of feedback I received was that it only painted part of the picture.
It was a valid critique. So I said to myself, why not go through the annual reports all over again but from a different perspective.
This time, we will look at how much debt each County is in, and how much asset they possess.
Key Takeaways
Yorkshire (£ 26.1 million), Hampshire (£ 14.3 million), and Surrey (£ 12.8 million) have the have the highest net current liabilities, while the MCC (£ 27.6 million), Warwickshire (£ 2.1 million), and Lancashire (£ 1.2 million) have the highest net currentassets.
Similar to last time, I separated the first class Counties (from worst to best) in terms of how much money they owe currently (net current liabilities/asset).
Note: It is not necessarily a bad thing to have liability. The MCC, for example, has £ 91 million in liabilities, but also have a mammoth £ 174 million in assets.
How Do You Read a Balance Sheet?
First a quick accounting lesson.
While the main instrument of our previous analysis was the ‘Profit and Loss Account’ statement, this time, we take a deep dive into the ‘Balance Sheet.’
Indian investor, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, is accredited to have once said
“You know, a balance sheet is like a bikini. It shows more but it hides what is vital.”
– Rakesh Jhunjunwala
During this process, I had to teach myself how to read a balance sheet before I could start analyzing! So, I’ll try my best to condense the balance sheet information into digestible pieces of information for you.
In a balance sheet, everything basically needs to add up. The main equation to keep in mind here is:
Equity = Assets – Liabilities.
Assets are made up of fixed assets (like value of stadiums) and current assets. On the other, liabilities include amount falling due within one year (short-term debt) and amount falling due after more than one year (long-term debt like bank loans).
In long-term debt, we have included “creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year”, “less deferred income”, “provision for liabilities,” and “unamortised grants” among others.
So, which County Cricket Club has the Most Debt?
We rank the clubs based on the net current liabilities/debt or net current assets.
Since most clubs have healthy total fixed assets, we look at net current liabilities to see how much amount is owed by the club in the upcoming year or so.
(Note: I use Debt/Liability interchangeably but liabilities is the proper term because it can include debt, loan, deferred income, etc.).
1. Yorkshire (£ 26.1 Million Debt)
Assessment: Yorkshire is probably in the worst financial state of any of England’s first class county cricket clubs. The club has high liability (both short and long-term) and negative reserves.
They are currently going through refinancing and Colin Graves’ family trust loans are keeping the club afloat. Graves himself has stated that a private ownership model is needed for club’s financial health.
Debt Status:Red
“In the event that sufficient funding is not obtained, Colin Graves has undertaken to provide the necessary support.”
Net Current Liabilities: £ 26,129,858 (2023), £ 8,717,446 (2022)
Total Assets less current Liabilities:– £ 1,938,730 (2023), + £ 19,450,848 (2022)
We can see the CJ Graves and his family trust is owed a lot of money (about £ 15 million) by the Yorkshire County Cricket Club (see section 8: Creditors: amounts falling due within one year below).
Net Current Liabilities: – £ 12,815,000 (2023), – £ 7,075,000 (2022)
“As in previous years, net current liabilities includes deferred income – relating to membership subscriptions, advance ticket sales and hospitality deposits – which does not represent future cash outflows.”
Total Assets less current Liabilities:£ 62,992,000 (2023), £ 59,909,000 (2022)
Assessment: Gloucestershire’s short-term debt sky-rocketed in 2024. Clearing these liabilities as soon as possible would be in their best interest, even though their fixed assets are holding them up for the time being.
Assessment: Their long-term debt continued to go down and the value of their assets continued to rise. However, their short-term liabilities are also on the rise, which they need to keep in check.
*Note: Their 2022 liability section in their financial statement was empty, but we were able to calculate the total liabilities based on the rest of their balance sheet for 2022.
Net Current Liabilities: – £ 3,270,947 (2023), – £ 2,363,519 (2021)
Total Assets less current Liabilities:£ 4,756,819 (2023), £ (2022), £ 5,487,663 (2021)
Assessment: In 2022, Somerset reduced their long-term debt and declared a ‘positive financial result in a challenging environment’ in their financial report. We have marked them as yellow, because current liabilities still outweigh the value of their current assets.
Assessment: Middlesex took strides in decreasing their current liability from 2022 to 2023. However, their reserves are extremely low, so they need to be careful (due to low-valued fixed assets).
Debt Status:Yellow
2023
2022
Total Assets
+ £ 1,596,000
+ £ 1,421,000
Total Liabilities
– £ 1,527,000
– £ 1,483,000
Equity/Reserves
+ £ 69,000
– £ 62,000
Breakdown of Assets
Fixed Assets: £ 538,000 (2023), £ 580,000 (2022)
Current Assets: £ 1,058,000 (2023), £ 841,000 (2022)
Assessment: Their current liabilities decreased massively from 2021 to 2022. They are in the right direction, and should be able to come out of debt soon if the trend continues.
Assessment: Northamptonshire are slightly in debt, but not by much. However, they do not have high valued fixed assets like some of the other clubs, so they may need to tread the next couple of years carefully.
Assessment: Essex has seen a recent drop in every department—Lower equity, lower asset value, but also lower liabilities, but overall staying above water.
19. Marylebone Cricket Club, The MCC (£ 27.6 Million Asset)
Assessment:£ 118 million in fixed asset is all that you need to know about the MCC. Even though have about £ 63 million long-term liabilities, they are well above water. High reserves, positive current assets.
July 27, 2004, Democratic National Convention—A relatively unknown American politician steps out on the field and delivers a rousing keynote address to capture the attention of the world.
Political commentators Robert Lehrman and Michael A. Cohen later mention that back in 2004, this leader
“was totally unknown. People were saying, ‘I don’t know who this guy is, wonder why they picked him…No one knew who this guy was. This was his chance to introduce himself to people.”
Before the World Cup, Team USA was totally unknown. People were saying, ‘I don’t know why they held the World Cup in USA…(why did they build a random temporary stadium in New York with bad pitches and dangerous outfields)…No one knew the potential of this team. This was America’s chance to introduce themselves to fans.
But this moment, a convincing victory against Pakistan, may well go down in folklore as the day cricket in America changed.
(Side Note: Only Pakistan can light up a tournament in such Pakistan fashion and open the tournament alive with this loss. Won’t be surprised if they come back and end up winning the whole thing as only Pakistan know how to do).
USA STUNS PAKISTAN AT THE MEN’S T20 CRICKET WORLD CUP 🚨
ESPNCricinfo’s article on Monank Patel, Noshtush Kenjige, and Nitish Kumar shines a light on some other American dreams.
If Saurabh Netravalkar, who had figures of 2-18 and bowled USA to victory in the super over vs Pakistan, wasn't disgustingly talented enough — ( He is an engineer at Oracle and an MS in CS from Cornell University.) he's also a damn fine ukelele player. (video from his insta) pic.twitter.com/vEErMccyXX
The squad is well balanced. They have plenty of bowling options spearheaded by the fearless Ali Khan, players with international experience, IPL experience, Major League Cricket stars, and homegrown talent from the minor leagues. The top order is so strong that Unmukt Chand, India’s victorious 2012 U-19 captain, did not find a place.
Team USA’s current T20 World Cup squad include South Africans, Kiwis, Sri Lankans, Pakistanis, Indians.
But at the end of the day, that is the beauty of America. A melting pot, a salad bowl, whatever fits your boat.
Regardless of where you come from, the United States of America is a land that provides opportunity to all. An opportunity to excel.
A place where you can build your own American story.
Cricket Wins Despite ICC’s Shambolic Marketing
After one week, there were doubts on whether this World Cup will be successful or not.
Grueling travel schedules for Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, an untested pitch & outfield that has the potential to cause major injuries, several sub-100 T20 scores, empty stadiums, overpriced tickets, TV schedules that defy logic, a World Cup scheduled during the NBA Finals, broadcast access only from WillowTV (channel most Americans have not even heard of), and shambolic marketing by the ICC.
I missed the entirety of the USA-Pakistan despite residing in the same timezone as Dallas because the match was scheduled during work hours at 10:30 AM. Apart from a couple of news reports, the acquisition of Usain Bolt as a brand ambassador, and local awareness in the New York-New Jersey and Dallas-areas, there has not been much marketing of note. None of my friends are aware that the US is even hosting a Cricket World Cup.
Yet the cricket has succeeded.
We have already seen two Super Overs, a lovely Ugandan story, and Oman shackling Australia. Never again shall we go back to less than a 20-team World Cup. Please.
A few of my non-cricketing friends here reached out after the US victory today, sharing articles and tweets with me! Good cricket, word of mouth, and a bit of social media is doing its magic!
Local Coverage Gives Cricket a Boost on Social Media
Walked all around Manhattan, even past Macy’s, looking for some sort of parade for the big USA win over Pakistan but there was none & then saw these four important looking people talk about it on the big screen in Times Square & it was all worth it #T20WorldCup#TeamUSApic.twitter.com/dfKmgLUxj7
Peter has been traveling around the States for the World Cup, interviewing fans, providing live traffic information, etc. In some cases, he exposes the ticket pricing issues:
Met Jagan Vinyagam, 48, originally from Chennai but living in NJ for last 20 years. Paid $350 for a "premium" ticket, only to be randomly assigned to last row, top of the stadium, section 247. He feels like he got scammed. "there was no transparency in the ticket buying process." pic.twitter.com/UGC1zYRmgn
— Peter Della Penna (@PeterDellaPenna) June 5, 2024
At other times, he conveys stories of new fans entering the game.
Met Dima Yakubovich, 47 from San Fran. Watching first cricket match in person in Texas . Got into cricket 18 months ago stumbling across "83" on Netflix. Favorite player is Shubman Gill. Having a blast. He's staying through Sunday to watch SF Giants play Texas Rangers on Sat/Sun. pic.twitter.com/cmc6cLTRc4
— Peter Della Penna (@PeterDellaPenna) June 6, 2024
Finally, we get to see how the crowd’s reactions ranging from Nepal’s thunderous audience to the empty stands during an India game in New York.
Here's the scene for USA v Pakistan in Texas. About 6000 fans in here, but definitely some empty pockets of seats, including all the highest priced tickets above and behind the team dugouts. Crowd not nearly as large or as vibrant as the Nepal match on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/uHFvC5tmHt
— Peter Della Penna (@PeterDellaPenna) June 6, 2024
Hope in the face of Uncertainty
We can cherish today as the day USA Cricket Team achieved its first American cricket dream. Hopefully, first of many.
Honestly speaking, two years ago, I was skeptical of the initiatives in the American cricket circuit. However, a successful 2023 MLC and a strong showing in this World Cup from Team USA has given me a glimmer of hope.
Selling cricket to Americans is difficult. Not because of comparisons with baseball (that is a story for another day), but because of the numerous other sport options the American public has. Cricket is not yet mature enough to compete in the American market, but David-Goliath stories like today definitely help in making a case.
Obama concludes his speech by saying that
“My story is part of the larger American story…and in no other country on Earth is my story even possible.”
Similarly, the journey of Team USA’s cricket team is just like any other American story.
“The hope of immigrants setting out for distant shores….The Hope of a skinny kid with a funny name who believes that America has a place for him too…Hope in the face of difficulty. Hope in the face of uncertainty. The audacity of hope.”
We don’t know if cricket will succeed or fail in the US, but if there is any place where we can hope that such an audacious experiment has a slight chance of succeeding, it is the United States of America.
****
America, Pakistan, Obama. But in a cricket context. Now you didn’t expect that, did you?
That’s what we like to do here. Cricket, but slightly outside the box.
Anyways, thanks for reading and thank you for your time.
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The ECB have managed to get approval from the 18 counties and the MCC for a ‘direction of travel’ (whatever that means) as a next step towards privatizing The Hundred. This will change the revenue model currently in place between the ECB & the Counties.
This made me wonder why the ECB had come up with The Hundred in the first place and why they are now moving towards privatizing the tournament.
Are all County clubs struggling financially? If yes, how bad are their situations?
I wanted to get to the bottom of this. So I researched all 18 Counties’ (and MCC’s) Annual Reports & Financial Accounts.
Here is what I found out after perusing through about 617 pages of annual reports.
Key Takeaways
Surrey (£ 8 Million – 2023), Lancashire (£ 2.4 Million – 2022), and Warwickshire (£ 1.3 Million – 2023) saw the most profit in a year, while Yorkshire (£ 7 Million Loss – 2023), Hampshire (£ 1.3 Million – 2022), and Gloucestershire (£ 1.2 Million – 2023) had the largest losses.
I separated the Counties in three categories based on their current financial health status.
Several teams highlighted inflation, rising interest rates, and rising energy costs as points of concerns looking at the future.
Although Test cricket is usually costly to host and results in losses for most cricket boards, County Clubs benefit when they host Ashes Tests (and ODIs). Membership soars, tickets are sold out, and the general interest in the County game increases. That is why many Counties experienced a boost in 2023 (except for Yorkshire).
The Counties below are arranged by the profit/loss in their latest released financial statements (not their overall reserves). We have summarized quotes from annual reports, factors contributing to growth, future outlook & concerns, etc. to provide a holistic view of the club. We made our financial health assessments as follows:
Green: Annual profits (mostly) for two years in a row and surplus reserves.
Yellow: (1) Recent annual losses but overall surplus reserves, (2) recent profits but negative reserves, or (3) concerns from the treasurer/CEO/chair in their written statements despite positive financials.
Red: Annual losses for two years in a row as well as negative reserves.
If debts and loan repayments were called out in the report, we mention it. However, other important metrics like detailed balance sheet and long-term debt analysis for each County is a deep dive for another day. (All the sources are linked at the end of each section if you are interested to learn more).
*Note: Results are presented from the club’s most recent Annual Report. Some clubs have already released their 2023 reports (that covers both 2023 & 2022 financial reports) while some others have only released 2022 reports (that cover 2022 & 2021 financial reports). The reports are sourced at the end of each section.
**The annual total represents the total comprehensive income for the club after taxation.
1. Surrey (£ 8 Million Profit)
Division: Division One
Home Ground: The Oval
Financial Health Status:Green
Assessment: Positive annual returns pushed their reserves even higher, but they are expecting a tough 2024.
Surrey’s 2-Year Profit/Loss
Year
2023
2022
Annual Total
+ £ 7,999,000
– £ 1,332,000
Total Reserves
+ £ 29,200,000
+ £ 21,167,000
Treasurer’s Report Summary
“We have delivered an excellent financial performance in 2023 and look forward to continuing growth over the medium term. In the short term however, we expect a difficult year in 2024. We have a Friday start in our Test match, and an IT20 not an ODI.”
Positive Highlights from Surrey’s Annual Report
Membership grew by 18,739
Men’s Ashes Test (Sold Out), India vs Australia WTC Final (Sold Out)
Women’s Ashes IT20 (20,000 tickets)
Strong T20 Vitality Blast Attendance
Financial Concerns for Surrey County Cricket Club
Inflation, Increases in Rent
Overheads expenses increased by £6,300,000 compared to 2022
Staffing Increase Costs (recovery from COVID staff reduction)
Assessment: The Ashes helped boost Warwickshire’s 2023 return. Financial growth moving in the right direction for the club.
Warwickshire’s 2-Year Profit/Loss
Year
2023 (10/01/2022-12/31/2023)
2022 (09/30/2021-09/30/2022)
Annual Total
+ £ 1,310,068
+ £ 123,791
Total Reserves
+ £ 8,783,073
+ £ 7,233,214
*Note: + £ 277,600 revaluation reserve was added to the + £ 1,310,068 for a total growth of + £ 1,588,069 in the 15-month period.
Chief Operating Officer’s Report Summary
“In summary, revenue for 2023 was substantially higher than in 2022, principally driven by hosting the men’s Ashes Test match. Costs were also substantially higher in 2023 primarily due to the increase in Major Match day (MMDs) staging fees paid to the English and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the additional 3 months salary costs…”
Positive Highlights from Warwickshire’s Annual Report
Men’s Ashes Test
Catering and hospitality revenues (driven by the Ashes Test)
T20 Blast and Hundred ticket revenue increases
Partnership revenue increases
Financial Concerns for Warwickshire County Cricket Club
Expenses increase (cost of sale, administrative cost, overhead costs)
Inflation
Operating EBITDA decreased 6%
*Year ending on 31st December, 2023 (Note: Warwickshire changed their annual report date from 30th September to December so had 15-months to account for in this latest report instead of just the 12).
Assessment: Although 2022 was not as profitable as 2021, the club retains its massive surplus.
Nottinghamshire’s 2-Year Profit/Loss
Year
2022
2021
Annual Total
+ £ 689,623
+ £ 1,331,476
Total Reserves
+ £ 6,726,973
+ £ 6,037,335
Treasurer’s Report Summary
“Although there were some positive and negative movements in comparison tour budget for the year, the end result was closely aligned to our forecasts. he continued generation of surpluses has ensured the club continues to meet all of its debt repayments, minimising any interest charges accrued…”
Positive Highlights from Nottinghamshire’s Annual Report
Hosted Test, T20I
“Larger-than-forecast number of membership subscriptions
Strong catering and retail return on Day 5 of Test match
“Successful staging of The Hundred…to a significantly better level than in 2021.”
Financial Concerns for Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club
Scheduling concerns (Friday start to Test match caused hospitality and Day 4 financial concerns)
3 home Vitality Blast games in five days
Rising electricity prices, rising national minimum wage
Assessment: From the financial statements, Somerset is growing and has ample surplus. However, the annual report suggests that the board of directors are wary of challenges that may impact them in this straining economy.
Somerset’s 2-Year Profit/Loss
Year
2022
2021
Annual Total
+ £ 399,328
+ £ 149,087
Total Reserves
+ £ 10,231,772
+ £ 9,833,700
Financial Review Summary
“…the year…represented a return to something resembling a more ‘normal’ year, although operations were negatively impacted by challenges emanating from the legacy of the pandemic…We are well positioned financially to absorb potential economic shocks over the coming months and to take advantage of opportunities that we are proactively seeking out, as we operate in an economic, political and cricketing landscape of rapidly-changing variables and volatility.“
Positive Highlights from Somerset’s Annual Report
Surplus in these two years meant that ‘debt levels remain manageable’
+ £ 540,562 resulting from membership subscriptions and match receipts
Strong year by the commercial team as it relates to business partners and sponsors
Financial Concerns for Somerset County Cricket Club
Inflation, conflict in Europe, rising interest rates
Assessment: Durham has benefitting from external events to add to their surplus and recent profits.
Durham’s 2-Year Profit/Loss
Year
2023
2022
2021
Annual Total
+ £ 1,531,190
+ £ 333,033
+ £ 1,560,754
Total Reserves
+ £7,888,727
+ £ 6,357,537
+ £ 6,024,504
*Note: In 2023, £ 285,756 was the profit for 2023, while £ 1,531,190 was the total comprehensive income for 2023 (including £ 1,245,434 was the revaluation of tangible fixed assets)
Chairman’s Review Summary
“With our events business performing strongly and the strong financial management of the last few years continuing, I am delighted to report a profit of £333,0333 in the current financial year as we look to continue strengthening our financial position for the challenges ahead…The key business risks affecting the group are considered to relate to staging of international cricket and the share of money we receive that is generated through the ECB…Failure to stage international cricket beyond this date would have a financial impact on the group through lost turnover.”
BusinessLive Article Summary
According to BusinessLive, who had access to Durham’s 2022 Annual Reports and financial statements, they quoted Chairman Lord Botham as follows:
“Current year turnover has risen to £ 8,048,739 as a result of the Durham Cricket Events business performing strongly over the year.”
*In 2021, the turnover was + £ 7,108,908
Positive Highlights
Plans of building a hotel on site
Concerts & events provide financial boost
Two fixtures two host (in 2026 & 2028)
Food and beverage income almost doubled
Potential Concerns
Average number of employees decreased by 16 (135 to 119)
*Year ending on 30th September, 2022
Note: I could not initially find Durham’s annual reports, so had to rely on the Business Live article. Special thanks to Reuben Herbert and Graham Smith for sending me Durham’s updated financials and pointing me in the right direction!
They should still publish accounts at Companies House.
“Middlesex Cricket can today announce that for the financial year ending November 2023, the Club has recorded a profit after tax of £ 131,000...After such an extended period of posting significant losses, to turn the business around a time when the game is under financial pressure is a credit to everyone involved.
“After two years of extremely heavy losses caused by the pandemic and the pension scheme deficit, in 2022 we began the slow journey back to financial stability…The net assets of the Club that were less than £ 200K at the start of the year have now been exhausted. What this means is that making a profit in the year ahead is non-negotiable and that our activities and ambitions must be focused on meeting this target.“
Positive Highlights from Middlesex’s Annual Report
ECB county partnership agreement fees increased
Member subscriptions, ground receipts, sponsorships, hospitality/events saw an uptick
Financial Concerns for Middlesex County Cricket Club
Wages and salaries cost increased
Insurance, social security, pension costs, etc. increased
Assessment: Not as much of a surplus as some of the bigger clubs, but they have been profitable and are slowly moving return to normal from the financial consequences of the pandemic.
Northamptonshire’s 2-Year Profit/Loss
Year
2023
2022
Annual Total
+ £ 110,164
– £ 1,474
Total Reserves
+ £ 1,361,920
+ £ 1,251,716
Directors’ Report Summary
“Post pandemic the club benefitted as the local community looked to enjoy life again. Season ticket sales, gate income, and conference & events revenue not only recovered, but far exceeded pre-pandemic levels.”
Positive Highlights from Northamptonshire’s Annual Report
Hosted T20I vs India (Sold Out)
Financial Concerns for Northamptonshire County Cricket Club
Increasing energy costs (now investing in solar panels to counter costs)
Assessment: An excellent two years means Derbyshire has accumulated a bit of surplus for themselves.
Derbyshire’s 2-Year Profit/Loss
Total
2023
2022
Annual Total
+ £ 70,000
+ £ 138,000
Total Reserves
+ £ 3,087,000
+ £ 3,017,000
Finance Director Summary
“From a financial results point of view, it has been another very good year for the Club, showing a strong income and expenditure performance and an improvement in the long-term balance sheet position…Looking ahead to 2024 and beyond there are a number of challenges we face which will inevitably make future years more difficult financially.”
Positive Highlights from Derbyshire’s Annual Report
Sponsorship, Advertising, Hospitality
Conference and Events
Financial Concerns for Derbyshire County Cricket Club
Inflation
“Commercial sponsorship is proving difficult across England….we will have to work hard to ensure we don’t see a drop in this income.”
Assessment: Although Worcestershire have a decent surplus for five years running, the losses in 2019 and 2022 were far greater than the minimal profits made in 2020, 2021, and 2023 respectively.
Worcestershire’s 5-Year Profit/Loss
Year
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
Annual Total
+ £ 13,340
– £ 203,287
+ £ 8,477
+ £ 21,635
– £ 81,810
Total Reserves
+ £ 2,184,117
+ £ 2,170,801
+ £ 2,374,044
+ £ 2,365,567
+ £ 2,343,977
*Note: Worcestershire documents 5-year profit/loss on their annual reports rather than 2-year profit/loss as other clubs.
Accounts Commentary Summary
“There has been an uplift in revenue across nearly all sectors of our operations…Financial sustainability remains a paramount concern for the Club, as well as for other venues not hosting Test matches or The Hundred. It is imperative that we generate sufficient profits to ensure debt repayment. A strategic focus for 2024 will be the development of new revenue streams beyond cricket and the expansion of existing operations.”
Positive Highlights from Worcestershire’s Annual Report
15% increase in match ticket sales (both red & white ball games)
Catering Department delivers profit of £282,000
2 Music concerts
Financial Concerns for Worcestershire County Cricket Club
Assessment: Although Kent is in the profits over the last couple of years and have ample reserves, the chair of the board voiced his concern in the seismic shift that County Cricket is facing and what this uncertainty implies for the club.
Kent’s 2-Year Profit/Loss
Year
2023
2022
2021
Annual Total
– £ 469,448
+ £ 6,488
+ £ 282,235
Total Reserves
+ £ 6,986,301
+ £ 7,455,751
+ £ 7,449,232
Chair’s Report Summary
“Two of the High Performance Review’s conclusions – structure and schedule – presented an existential threat to both our Club and the essential fabric of the county game…There is no question that Sir Andrew did a high quality piece of of work in the context of his brief. He has come up with many good ideas and the game has gained useful insights from subject experts across sport. However, it was when suggesting a County game structure and schedule that had the sole purpose of improving the England teams, the matters became more vexed…Reducing County Cricket in Kent to five home Championship games, five T20s and potentially one or two 50 over games would have rendered the Club completely irrelevant. Four days of cricket a month throughout the season would have meant that we became invisible.“
Positive Highlights from Kent’s Annual Report
Development of media and marketing
New ‘state-of-the-art ticketing system’
Digital match day streaming service grew
Stable ticket sales
Financial Concerns for Kent County Cricket Club
“Inflation, labour shortages, rising interest rates, and higher energy prices”
The Hundred’s negative impact on T20 Vitality Blast crowds (due to change of schedule)
Assessment: From a five year outlook, we can see that Leicestershire has had 4 years of losses. Since surplus are still in a relatively healthy condition, I went with a ‘Yellow’ financial rating for them.
Leicestershire’s 2-Year Profit/Loss
Year
2023
2022
2021
Annual Total
– £ 440,112
– £ 320,341
+ £ 482,892
Total Reserves
+ £ 2,109,609
+ £ 2,549,723
+ £ 2,870,064
The past 5-year annual total summary for Leicestershire are as follows:
“Encouragingly the reliance on the central funding dropped from 78% to 65% during the year. However we must continue to reduce this number and become more self-sufficient. This will remain one of our key targets during during the short and medium terms.”
Positive Highlights from Leicestershire Annual Report
Facilities and commercial revenue grew
Increased hospitality
Record numbers for T20 attendance
Financial Concerns for Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Assessment: Losses for consecutive years, but still holding onto decent reserves.
Essex’s 2-Year Profit/Loss
Year
2022
2021
Annual Total
– £ 378,983
– £ 508,226
Total Reserves
+ £ 2,336,488
+ £ 2,715,471
Essex’s Notes to the Accounts Summary
“Based on current forecasts, total cash outflows exceed total cash inflows in the forecasted period to December 2024. The Club is actively looking to address this loss and cashflow situation to avoid having to sell part of its investment portfolio to cover this shortfall. These matters indicate that a material uncertainty exists that may cast significant doubt over the ability of the Club to continue as a going concern.”
Positive Highlights from Essex’s Annual Report
Matches, commercial activity, and membership resulted in the most profit for Essex
Financial Concerns for Essex County Cricket Club
Buildings (net – £ 690,254) and cricket operations (net – £ 435,987) resulted in the most net loss in 2022
Assessment: Massive positive reserves but the direction of annual losses are not going in the right direction.
Glamorgan’s 2-Year Profit/Loss
Year
2023
2022
Annual Total
– £ 528,294
– £ 39,248
Total Reserves
+ £ 9,767,471
+ £ 10,295,765
Chair’s Report Summary
“The club is reporting a reasonable financial outcome for the year…2024 will be a challenging year financially and the club has had to reduce its cost base in order to produce a budget with a similar EBITDA to 2023.”
“…It is worth remembering that the game of cricket is undergoing generational change as the rise of Indian cricket and the Indian Premier League has the potential to shift the old order and orthodoxies. While this process will undoubtedly be disruptive and challenging, it will also potentially provide opportunities for individual clubs to reset their financial, strategic, and operational activities onto a more positive and sustainable basis. Rest assured that the Board will work to ensure that Glamorgan is positioned to take advantage of these trends as they develop.”
Positive Highlights from Glamorgan’s Annual Report
International stadium
International match staging agreement with the ECB till 2031
“Stable financial position with minimal debt”
Hundred team/host based in Wales
Financial Concerns for Glamorgan County Cricket Club
“Adverse macro-economic environment in which we currently operate” (ex: higher interest rates)
Assessment: Similar to Glamorgan, two consecutive years of losses (and 2023 was way worse than 2022) is a bit of concern, but overall, they are still holding up well.
Sussex’s 2-Year Profit/Loss
Year
2023
2022
Annual Total*
– £ 735,616
– £ 39,418
Total Reserves
+ £ 8,461,170
+ £ 9,196,873
Note: In the annual report, both Sussex Cricket Limited and Sussex Cricket Foundation’s earnings have been reported. We only state SCL’s profit/loss (since it is based on membership, matches, etc.)
*Even though Sussex had + £443,929 operating profit in 2022, the total comprehensive income was – £ 39,418. Similarly in 2023, they had an operating loss (- £ 121,918) but an even larger total comprehensive loss (-£ 735,616)
Treasurer’s Report Summary
“Income decreased 5.6% in FYE 2023 while expenditure increased 2.8%.”
Assessment: Two consecutive years of losses (Losses for 2023/2024 almost doubled), but they do not have the luxury of reserves like Sussex & Glamorgan.
Gloucestershire’s 2-Year Profit/Loss
Total
2024
2023
Annual Total
– £ 1,190,000
– £ 570,000
Total Reserves
+ £ 1,790,000
+ £ 2,980,000
*Year ending on 31st January, 2024
Treasurer’s Report Summary
“This year has been a challenging year financially for a number of reasons and there is no doubt it is disappointing to be reporting a second consecutive financial deficit…Fundamentally, our finances have been impacted by the fixed nature of the majority of our central funding and the fact the growth of the business has not kept up with the rate of inflation…”
Positive Highlights from Gloucestershire Annual Report
Hosting England v Ireland (Men), Hosting Women’s Ashes ODI
Second fastest growth of any county in terms of ticket sales (although it still fell short of expectations)
Cheltenham Cricket Festival
Sponsorship and BS7 Gym
Financial Concerns for Gloucestershire County Cricket Club
Assessment: Things are not looking that great for Hampshire, who are on the verge of becoming one of the first County teams to sell shares to IPL team owners.
Year
2022
2021
Annual Total
– £ 1,346,883
– £ 1,535,292
Total Reserves
+ £ 2,440,783
+ £ 3,787,666
Group Strategic Report Summary
“The Group will look to consolidate its position as a leading leisure destination and international cricket stadium, although the Directors anticipate that a return to significant levels of profitability is unlikely in 2023 and 2024 given the poor allocation of international cricket in this period.”
Positive Highlights from Hampshire’s Annual Report
Hotel and events saw a rise in operating profit
Men’s Ashes in 2027, Women’s Ashes in 2031
Financial Concerns for Hampshire County Cricket Club
Net debt at 31st December, 2022 is approximately £ 61,423,363.
Assessment: Despite an Ashes season, Yorkshire reported devastating losses in 2023. Financial (and social) overhaul is required at Yorkshire.
Yorkshire’s 2-Year Profit/Loss
Year
2023
2022
Annual Total
– £ 7,050,776
– £ 2,169,332
Total Reserves
– £ 9,106,154
– £ 2,054,488
Chair’s Statement Summary
“The 2023 financial statements presented to you are very clear—it was an Ashes year for us, which should have been productive and profitable, but in the event there was a huge trading loss for the Club. The reasons behind this are explained throughout the financial statements but 2023 was definitely Yorkshire’s ANNUS HORRIBILIS!“
“The Hundred continues to generate significant income for the Club.”
Positive Highlights from Yorkshire’s Annual Report
Hosted Ashes at Headingley (provided £ 18.2 million revenue)
Membership numbers increased
New investment to come in
To host Men’s Test again India in 2025 along with some other T20Is
“The conversations around the Hundred are potentially extremely beneficial for us”
Vitality Blast sales increased 14%
Financial Concerns for Yorkshire County Cricket Club
More staffing in the executive team
Cost of running a stadium
Rising Interest rates
Cricket Disciplinary Committee investigation, legal and professional fees, settlement of employment claims, governance, EDI plans, etc.
No major capital investment
Restructuring of County Age Group pathway
Hosting and Administrative costs for Ashes
“It should be noted, however, that the costs of hosting the match, which include a staging fee payable to the ECB, stewarding and security, and the cost of delivering hospitality packages, were proportionally higher too, totalling £ 3.3 m.”
19. Bonus: Marylebone Cricket Club, The MCC (£ 7.7 Million Profit)
Financial Health Status:Green
Assessment: The MCC are doing really great at the moment on all accounts.
Year
2023
2022
Annual Total
+ £ 7,735,000
+ £ 2,849,000
Total Reserves
+ £ 82,916,000
+ £ 75,181,000
MCC Committee Report Summary
“We continue to evaluate the potential to own and manage a Hundred franchise based at Lord’s. It is anticipated that the ECB will put in place a new financial model from the start of the 2025 season and subject to more detail on the structure and economics of the tournament, we believe that owning a Hundred franchise could have a positive impact on all four of the Club’s objectives
“On the commercial side, income surpassed previous records across Retails, Tours of Lord’s, the Indoor Cricket Centre, Marketing and Advertising, Events and Experiences, shown within Catering and Hospitality, whilst performing strongly, was around 10% lower than the record World Cup year of 2019.”
Other Positive Highlights from MCC’s Annual Report
Lord’s Test, Women’s T20I, and the Hundred saw 500,000 spectators at Lord’s
Financial Concerns for the MCC
High Inflation, rising Employment Costs, rising energy costs
In the past five years, the ECB have made strides to bring financial stability and increase their standards in Test cricket (after success in the white ball game).
It is evident with Yorkshire and Hampshire, for example, that things need to change. However, we also found that not all County teams are struggling. In fact, a majority are doing just fine and many of them have bounced back from the days of the pandemic.
With the IPL increasing its influence around the world, international schedule tightening, number of freelance players increasing towards the growing franchise leagues, County cricket and ‘traditional’ old school cricket is definitely under threat.
Will ECB’s new financial model change things up for the better or the worse? Will it help all the Counties or only some?
Only time will tell.
What do you think? Let me know below!
Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed reading this and learned something new. Cheers!
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Financial Glossary
Here are some of the definitions of terms we have used in the analysis above. The definitions are derived from various sources like Investopedia.
EBIDTA: Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation, and amortization
Fair Value Reserve: Represents cumulative revalution gains and losses in respect of historic investment properties.
Operating Profit: Total earning from its core business functions for a given period. An operating loss occurs when core business income ends up being lower than expenses.
Total Comprehensive Income: Includes net income and unrealized income (ex: hedge/derivative financial instruments, transaction gains, etc.)
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The women’s victory fueled social media with calls for Full Membership to Scotland. That made me wonder—What exactly are all the criteria to become a full member?
Full Member Criteria: What Do The Official ICC Documents Say?
According to ICC’s website, Clause 2.1 outlines 22 conditions that need to be satisfied to even apply for full membership.
You read that correctly, twenty-two. Here are some of the major highlights.
Have appropriate structure for both men’s and women’s cricket
Generate a minimum of 10% of their own total revenues for four years prior to applying
A debt to equity ratio of not more than 2:1 in the past four years
Features on the Men’s ODI Ranking table
Should have qualified for 3 Men’s ODI & T20 WC in past eight years
Have defeated at least one Full Member in the Top 10 in a Men’s Cricket World Cup, World Cup Qualifier, or the T20 World Cup
Have won at least four times against two or more Full Members in bilaterals in the past 8 years
Have participated in at least one Women’s WC (ODI or T20) in the past 4 years or feature in the women’s ODI ranking table
Have participated in two editions of the U-19 WC in the past 8 years
Have domestic structure (Men’s 50-over and 20-over competitions with List A status and at least 3 teams)
Have ‘satisfactory’ women’s pathway structures and junior men’s pathway structures in place
Have ‘sustained and sufficient pool of players’ in senior men’s, women’s, and U-19 men’s teams
Have ‘strong domestic participation levels’ and ‘evidence of significant growth’ in the past 8 years
Have 2 ICC accredited venues
Has talent/coaching/umpire/curator development programs over the past 4 years
Once they fulfill all the conditions, boards can write to the ICC with an ‘intent to apply’ and complete the written application after which there will be a preliminary assessment, reviews, and even a possible inspection.
How Did Afghanistan Qualify?
I know what you must be wondering. How in the world did Afghanistan qualify (and not lose their status) after the Taliban takeover, where higher education was banned for girls?
At the very end of the document, the ICC conveniently slips in Clause 3.5, which states
“In its sole discretion, and where the Applicant is able to demonstrate exceptional circumstances justifying its inability to satisfy one or more of the applicable Membership criteria, the Membership Committee may recommend the acceptance of the application notwithstanding the fact that the Applicant does not satisfy all of the relevant Membership criteria.”
Scotland now meet more of the ICC full member performance criteria than two current ICC full members.
— Andrew Nixon (@andrewnixon79@mastodon.world) (@andrewnixon79) May 5, 2024
Full Membership No Longer Equals Test Status
Growing up, I always had the impression that Full Membership = Test Status, but the word ‘Test’ does not even appear once on the ICC Membership Criteria document.
“Full Members are the governing bodies for cricket of a country recognised by the ICC, or nations associated for cricket purposes, or a geographical area, from which representative teams are qualified to play official Test matches (12 Members).”
“Associate Members are the governing bodies for cricket of a country recognised by the ICC, or countries associated for cricket purposes, or a geographical area, which does not qualify as a Full Member, but where cricket is firmly established and organised (94 Members).”
Hence, Full Membershipmeans there is a pathway to Test status, but nowhere does it claim that playing Test cricket is a necessity for Full Members.
Should Newer Full Members Even Play Test Cricket?
Okay, a slight digression. Should newer full members even play Test cricket?
As Ireland have found out, it is not cheap to host Test cricket. In fact, it causes more financial strain to the national boards. Ireland won their first Test seven years after their Test status, but scheduling Test matches? Well, that’s a whole another matter.
Cricket Ireland famously cancelled a Test against Bangladesh and replaced it with a T20 series because they would lose a million pounds for that one Test.
I am all for a ‘Test fund’ that was proposed a decade ago, innovations in Test cricket, or a two-tiered World Test Championship with relegation & promotion, but forcing a cricket board to play Test cricket can bring down the financial situation of the entire sport in the country.
"We should give the Scotland men's team Test Status" is a pretty weird reaction to the Scotland women's team qualifying for a T20 World Cup to be honest. https://t.co/ve8eb7dQZt
Apart from finances, Ireland’s elevation to Test status did more harm than good.
Irish cricketers used to be considered domestic players and therefore, the golden generation – Boyd Rankin, Paul Stirling, Tim Murtagh, etc. played as domestic cricketers in the County circuit. However, post 2017, they have had to sign up as overseas players which County teams may be reluctant to do.
If Scotland does accept to play Test cricket, adjustments would need to be made in County Cricket rules.
Show Me the Money
If not Test cricket, what is Full Membership all about?
*Top 8 Teams (non-India) include England ($41.33 million), Australia ($37.53 million), Pakistan ($34.51 million), New Zealand ($28.38 million), West Indies ($27.50 million), Sri Lanka ($27.12 million), South Africa ($26.24 million), and Bangladesh ($26.74 million).
Ireland ($17.64 million), Zimbabwe ($17.64 million), and Afghanistan ($16.82 million) relatively earn less but a larger chunk than the Associate nations.
Currently $67.16 million is divided among 94 Associate Members. On average, each Associate member gets about $714,468, which is substantially less than what Ireland and Afghanistan now receive.
If a cricket board receives Full Membership, then they are ensured a small piece of the annual funding pie. What’s more? They will get regular FTP matches against the top teams helping them improve further. ICC already earns enough money from World Cups that they have surplus to distribute to their members. Adding two more members and changing the redistribution of wealth will not change much.
Should Scotland and Netherlands Receive Full Member Status?
Let’s get back to the heart of the topic, should countries like Scotland and Netherlands receive Full Member Status?
In 2000, Bangladesh were gifted Full Membership and Test status after winning the 1997 ICC Trophy, defeated Kenya in 1998, and defeating Scotland & Pakistan in the 1999 ODI World Cup. Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s Women’s Team only made their international debut in 2007 and gained ODI status in 2011 (qualified for the 2014 T20 WC as hosts, qualified for the 2022 ODI WC), much after they were elevated to Full Status.
I argue that Scotland and Netherlands have already done much more than Bangladesh ever did prior being elevated to Full Member Status.
Scotland in ICC Tournaments
Let’s look at Scotland. The men’s team has already defeated the likes of England & West Indies, featured in multiple World Cups, have a growing women’s team, and have a couple of solid venues.
Timeline
Here is a quick timeline of their recent past. Scotland have perhaps suffered more than any other team with the curtailed 10-team World Cup format, narrowly losing out on two consecutive ODI World Cups despite playing extremely good cricket.
1992: Becomes an independent cricket Associate Member
1997: Ends 3rd in the ICC Trophy and qualifies for the 1999 ODI World Cup
2004: Wins the ICC Intercontinental Cup
2012: Defeats Bangladesh in a T20 match
2017: Defeats Zimbabwe in an ODI match
2018: Defeat Afghanistan, UAE, Nepal, Hong Kong, (and tied against Zimbabwe), *lost against West Indies due to DLS/rain
2018: Defeats England by 6 runs after scoring 371
2022: Defeats West Indies in the T20 World Cup
2022: Scotland women team get ODI status
2023: Defeat West Indies, Zimbabwe, Ireland, UAE, Oman but fall one spot short of the 10-team ODI World Cup
2024: Scotland women qualify for the T20 World Cup
World Cup Records
ODI WC: Qualified for the 1999 (0/5), 2007 (0/3), 2015 (0/6)
*Note: Scotland have featured in 4/5 U-19 World Cups in the last 8 years.
*NR – No Result
Netherlands in ICC Tournaments
Timeline
Netherlands have had a dream couple of years and even qualified for the 2023 ODI World Cup. They have defeated South Africa, England, and West Indies, and their women’s team even reached the quarterfinals in 1997.
1988: Women’s team qualify for the 1988 ODI World Cup
1994: Men’s team ends 3rd in the ICC Trophy and qualifies for the 1996 ODI World Cup
1997: Women’s team qualify for the quarterfinal
2001: Wins the ICC Trophy
2003: Defeats Namibia in the 2003 ODI World Cup
2006: Get ODI status
2007: Women play a Test match against South Africa
2009: Defeats England in the T20 World Cup
2010: Defeats Bangladesh in the ODI World Cup
2014: Chased 193 in 13.5 overs against Ireland to qualify for the Super 10s
It’s clear that these two countries have done more than Bangladesh and Afghanistan for over three decades now (and are doing better than Zimbabwe has been in recent years).
Sure, there may be a checkbox here or there that these two cricket boards may not have hit, but they have done almost everything right.
Dear ICC, it is my honest request. I plead with you to give Scotland and Netherlands Full Membership.
If that means, use Clause 3.5, wave some hands, and give out some funds, then why not?
If not now, when? Take the chance.
It’s time for the European Cricket Dream. Let’s make it happen.
If you like these kinds of in-depth deep dives on finances and administration of cricket, check out the following:
This will help us provide an insight into the workings of the ICC and help us answer questions like:
How much does it cost the ICC to host a World Cup?
How much revenue does the ICC make from global tournaments?
Why has there been a recent influx in World Cups?
I read this 39 page document so you don’t have to.
Let me break it down for you.
Key Takeaways
The ICC earned about 95.59% of their annual revenue from ICC events in 2022 ($412,862,000 out of $431,929,000). In 2021, ICC events contributed to 93.38% of their annual income ($432,146,000 out of 462,767,000).
On the flip side, ICC events contributed the organization 75.27% of their expenditures in 2022 ($168,262,000 out of $223,554,000) and only 70.37% in 2021 ($96,510,000 out of $137,160,000).
The ICC has been profitable with total comprehensive income of $208,375,000 in 2022 and $325,607,000 in 2021 respectively. Adding prior years surplus and general reserves, ICC had a total surplus of $912,999,000 as of 31st December, 2022.
In 2021-2022, senior Men’s ICC tournaments added a profit (+ $602,968,000) to the ICC, while senior Women’s ICC tournaments (– $15,160,000) and U-19 ICC tournaments for both men & women combined (– $7,011,011) led to losses.
The ‘Advance to Full Members’ was $693,331,000 in 2022 and $513,331,000 in 2022 & 2021 respectively, while ‘Advance Allocated to Associate Member’s was $89,716,000 and $66,275,000 in the same period.
Total Revenue Generated from ‘Commercial’ ICC Events (2021-2022)
Now we look at the 2021-2022 tournament breakdown.
ICC Event
Revenue
Expenses
Total Income
2021 World Test Championship (WTC) Final
$36,318,000
$12,469,000
+ $23,849,000
2021 T20 World Cup (Men’s)
$383,624,000
$65,699,000
+ $317,925,000
2022 U19 World Cup (Men’s)
$13,822,000
$19,028,000
– $5,206,000
2022 ODI World Cup (Women’s)
$24,316,000
$35,025,000
– $10,709,000
2022 T20 World Cup (Men’s)
$354,795,000
$84,589,000
+ $270,206,000
Value in Kind* (2021)
$12,204,000
$12,204,000
$0
Value in Kind (2022)
$19,929,000
$19,929,000
$0
Total
+ $845,008,000
– $248,943,000
+ 596,065,000
*Definition in the glossary at the bottom of the article
This table reveals quite a bit of information. What have we learned here?
The ICC takes a hit financially while hosting the Women’s World Cup and U-19 World Cups.
The 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup was the most profitable tournament for the ICC in the last couple of years.
It would be interesting to see how much the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup earned when the next round of financials come out.
Total Revenue Generated from ‘Pathway’ ICC Events (2021-2022)
But wait, there is more.
ICC also helps fund the global and regional tournaments. They are not considered ‘commercial’ events.
ICC Event
Expenses
2021 ODI World Cup Qualifier (Women’s)
$2,208,000
2021 T20 World Cup Regional Qualifiers (Women’s)
$1,518,000
2021 T20 World Cup Regional Qualifiers (Men’s)
$1,794,000
2021 CWC League 2 (Men’s)
$314,000
2022 Women’s Championship
$30,000
2022 Commonwealth Games Qualifier (Women’s)
$257,000
2022 T20 World Cup Regional Qualifiers (Women’s)
$695,000
2022 U19 T20 World Cup Qualifier (Women’s)
$828,000
2022 U19 World Cup Qualifier (Men’s)
$977,000
2022 T20 World Cup Qualifier (Men’s)
$1,138,000
2022 CWC Challenge League (Men’s)
$1,549,000
2022 T20 Regional’s Qualifier’s (Men’s)
$1,902,000
2022 CWC League 2 (Men’s)
$2,315,000
Total
– $15,525,000
We can clearly see that these pathway tournaments do not earn ICC big profits.
In essence, they virtually treat these global and regional qualifiers as investments for the growth of the game.
Long Term View: How Has Net Income from ICC Tournament’s Changed Over the Years?
Have you wondered why we have had an influx of ICC tournaments in recent times?
Let’s jog back our memories. In men’s senior tournaments alone, we have had:
2024 T20 World Cup
2023 ODI World Cup
2023 World Test Championship Final
2022 T20 World Cup
2021 T20 World Cup
2021 World Test Championship Final
2019 ODI World Cup
The clear and simple answer is: ICC tournaments (especially senior men’s tournaments) contribute majority of the earnings to the ICC.
We can see from this chart, that there were peaks during 2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019, when the Men’s ODI World Cup took place (2007 had both the ODI and the T20 World Cup in the same year).
Even though the ODI format has received criticism in recent times, it is here to stay as the ODI World Cup generates a lot of wealth for the ICC (both the 2017 ODI Women’s World Cup and the Champions Trophy did very well financially).
On the other hand, we can see that the ICC took a hit in 2008 & 2018, two years when no major men’s ICC tournament took place. 2020 was an aberration due to the COVID, but the +$384,000 they did earn was due to the profitability of the Women’s T20 World Cup that broke barriers.
Why Did the ODI World Cup Shrink to 10 Teams?
According to this chart from ICC’s 2007/08 Annual Report, we can see that most of ICC’s money comes from these events. Even in 2007, ICC earned 93.66% of their revenue through events. Most of their costs are distribution of funds to the Members.
If cricket is to grow around the world, the ICC needs to be profitable year after year.
And here lies the double-edged sword of running an international sporting organization. We have often criticized the ICC for shrinking the participation in ODI World Cups, skewed formatting, and India-Pakistan games scheduled for the sole reason of financial gain.
But that profit is necessary for them to invest in the women’s game, U-19 cricket, and regional tournaments around the world because these tournaments provide no financial incentives.
In simple terms—the more money ICC earns from men’s tournaments, the more they can distribute to their members (How that distribution occurs is a deep dive for another day).
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What do you all think? Is there a better solution for ICC to increase their profits than shoving multiple ICC tournaments in a short period of time?
Thanks for reading! Here is some bonus content for you cause I felt like it today.
Other Observations: ICC World Cup Costs in the Earlier Days
Cricket tournaments have become more professional over the years.
Now it takes multi-million dollars to host an ICC event which includes breakthrough commercial deals. Only a couple of decades ago, it did not take as much money to host a world tournament (and the inflation was lower).
Total Comprehensive Income: “Comprehensive income is the sum of a company’s net income, as recorded on their income statement, and unrealized income (or ‘other comprehensive income’).”
Value in Kind: “Sponsorship received in forms of goods and/or services rather than money.”
The rise in run rate is alarming. Just look at the graphic below.
In 2009, there was only one solitary 200+ score and zero other 190+ scores.
By the team we got to 2023, there were 49 190+ scores, which included 37 200+ scores. This year, we have already had 35 190+ scores including 25 200+ scores and eight 250+ scores.
12 Rules That Will Help Bring the Balance Back to the Bowlers
But don’t worry.
I got you.
I bring to you 12 rules that will change the game for good and bring the bowlers back to life!
*Note: This is Satire. Take this Seriously at your own risk.
1. For Every No-Ball, We Need a No-Bat
A bowler oversteps by a millimeter, it is called a no-ball. A bowler bowls wide behind the batter or misses the wide line by a fine margin, it is called a wide.
So, we propose the ‘No-Bat.’ If a batter at the non-strikers end leaves their crease by a millimeter, have them run without a bat. It is mandatory to dive for every run. Let them work for it.
AndAlso subtract two runs per violation. Why not?
2. Smaller the Boundary, Wider the Stumps
Boundaries are getting smaller by the day. Let’s do this—The shorter the boundary, the wider the stumps.
At the 90 meter MCG boundaries, we play with the regular three stumps. At the Chinnaswamy, increase the wicket to 6 stumps.
3. Each Bowler will get a customized Ball suited to their Strengths
These days, bats are getting bigger. Batters work with manufacturers to get customized bats.
So why do bowlers play with the same standardized balls?
Each bowler should get to pick their favorite balls and stop the match in the middle to switch balls whenever they feel like it.We want Duke balls, SG, Kookaburra, old balls, new balls, used balls, tape balls, tennis balls, red balls, white balls, pink balls, the complete lot!
4. No Cap on Bowlers Quota
If Jos Buttler can carry the bat and play the 20 overs, let’s give Sunil Narine the opportunity to open the bowling and end with figures of 10-3-42-7.
5. Batters can only play 24 Balls Maximum
On the flip side, if Jasprit Bumrah is limited to 24 balls, KL Rahul should be limited to just 24 balls (Oh wait…that might actually be a good thing for the batting team…You get my point)
6. Batters Can Only Hit 2 Aerial Shots Per Over
There are only 2 bouncers allowed per over for the bowler. There should only be 2 aerial shots attempted per over for the batter.
7. If Batters Can Switch Hit Without Notice, Bowlers should be able to Switch Bowl Without Notice
Kevin Pietersen and David Warner are allowed to switch hit and take advantage of every corner of the ground. No problem with the that, hats off to them.
Allow the great scientist, Ravichandran Ashwin, to start his line up around the wicket, change to over the wicket, dance around the umpire, and change his action from right arm off-leg spinner to left arm wrist spinner.
8. More Sponsorship for the Bowlers
Umm…this is not satire. Bowlers should actually receive more sponsorship.
9. Flatter the Pitch, Lesser the Overs
At the beginning of each innings, a pitch report should be conducted where experts take their magnifying glasses and lay down flush on the pitch to count the number of cracks and blades of grass. That number should be given to the Duckworth-Lewis-Sterns of the current era.
They will come up with a formula to reduce the number of overs from the maximum of 20. Flatter the pitch, more overs are reduced.
10. If Dew is Present, Batters Will Play with Gloves Dipped in Oil
Too easy to chase these days when dew is present.
At the first sign of dew, umpires will give the batters special gloves dipped in oil for the remainder of the match.
11. Let’s add a bowling Powerplay, where all 15 players in the Squad are on the Field
Batters get a Powerplay to encourage strokeplay in the first six.
Bowlers should get a 4-over Bowling Powerplay where the rest of the squad, coaches, team management, and Jonty Rhodes come out to the field and cover every inch of the ground.
