The rise and rise of T20 cricket

What started out as a fun game, is now a different beast altogether as it continues to grow in popularity. It has its own fanatic following, and can now be considered as a separate sport. T20 cricket is relatively new, having just been established in 2003. It started out as a short form of cricket and is now considered one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. It is now considered even more popular than the other cricket alternatives, Tests and ODIs. The format was first introduced in England as a response to the low number of fans attending domestic matches. It was met with a positive response with fans flocking matches. Similar formats were established in countries such as South Africa, Pakistan, Australia, and New Zealand among others. The inaugural T20 World Cup was held in 2007 in South Africa with India emerging as winners. Here are some of the reasons why T20 continues to gain fame and popularity.

a) A Shorter Duration

Not many people have the luxury of watching a game for the whole day. While a T20 game takes about 3.5 hours to complete, its older sibling such as Test matches lasts for 5 days. T20 thus provides an alternative avenue for lovers of cricket with limited time on their hands to enjoy their favourite sport. The shorter time format also means that the game can attract new fans, who may not have the patience of watching a game for too long. If you are passionate about cricket, you can learn all about it at sites such as cricketbettingtips.io, and even try out some betting for your favourite teams.

b) Entertaining game

Unlike in ODI's where there are middle overs and players opt to play safe, T20 is fast-paced. One good over can change an entire game, which means that the batsmen are always trying to hit the ball. This results in an entertaining fast-paced game, one of the reasons why T20 continues to rise in popularity. The breaks are also entertaining, with music being played and cheerleaders motivating the players.

c) Passion

While it started as a fun game, it has now become a serious and professional discipline. It has attracted loyal fans, and players have not disappointed with their passion and athleticism. This has elevated the game to new heights and increased its popularity.

d) 4's and 6's

One of the main attractions of cricket is watching the batsman's hit the ball. T20 has plenty of big shot attempts by the batsmen as they try to outdo each other. This keeps the audience on their feet and the adrenaline rush is high as they wait to catch a glimpse of that big hit or catch.

It is clear that the T20 cricket format has been gaining popularity as it grows. Its short format means it is easy to attract new fans. All signs show that the game will only continue to grow in popularity. It is even possible that it could find its way in the Olympics in the near future.