Difference between Indian Cricket and Indian Hockey
Hockey is India’s national sport. The Indian men’s field hockey team won 8 gold, 1 silver and two bronze medals in Olympics games making it a very successful hockey team. Despite being the national sport, hockey has always struggled against cricket in terms of popularity among the Indian sports fans. The Indian men’s hockey team was first non-European member of International Hockey Federation. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as the name suggests, controls Indian cricket. It is a full member of ICC – International Cricket Council. Undoubtedly, cricket is the most popular sport in India and players have large fan followings. It is usually said that cricket is not just another game in India it’s a religion.
History
Cricket was brought to India by British in 1700’s. The first international team arrived in India towards the end of the 19th century. First class cricket was played for the Ranji Trophy which began in 1935 and continues to today. After national independence, Indian cricket saw marked progress of the sport which culminated in the victory of Indian team in the 1983 World Cup under the captainship of Kapil Dev. Hockey was also played in British regiments in India and gained a good deal of popularity. The first Hockey club was formed in Calcutta in 1885 and Bombay and Punjab joined later. The Indian hockey team made its debut in 1928 in the Amsterdam games and never looked back, winning 8 gold medals in the Olympics games.
Management
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and Hockey India are the bodies governing hockey in India. Hockey India was formed after the dismissal of Indian Hockey Federation in 2009 by IOA. Hockey India was formed with aim of hosting the Hockey World Cup (men) in 2010. Board of Control for Cricket in India is the governing body and is one of the richest organisations governing a sport. The selection committee, tours and sponsorship all fall under the governance of BCCI. BCCI represents Indian cricket in the ICC (International Cricket Council.)
Tournaments
Indian cricket team participates in a number of international tournaments and a number of domestic tournaments assist in improving cricket standards in India. The World Cup, ICC Champions Trophy, Commonwealth Games, Asia Cup and Australia Cup are the major international tournaments. Ranji Trophy and Irani Trophy are the domestic cricket tournaments conducted by BCCI. As far as hockey is concerned a number of domestic tournaments in various states are conducted. Premier Hockey League has also been popularized since 2005 in efforts to make Hockey more popular in India.
Summary
Indian Cricket
- Most popular sport in India.
- BCCI, the governing body, is one of the richest sport organizations.
- British played cricket in India in 1700’s.
- First class cricket was played in Ranji Trophy which started in 1935.
- Indian cricket team won 1983 World Cup under the captainship of Kapil Dev.
- BCCI represents Indian cricket in ICC (International Cricket Council.)
- World Cup, ICC Champions Trophy, Commonwealth Games, Asia Cup and Australia Cup are the major international tournaments where team participates.
Indian Hockey
- Hockey is India’s national sport.
- Indian men’s hockey team has won 8 gold, 1 silver and two bronze medals in Olympics.
- First Hockey club was made in Calcutta in 1885.
- Indian hockey team made debut in 1928 in Amsterdam games.
- Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and Hockey India are the bodies governing hockey in India.
- Premier Hockey League is conducted since 2005 to make Hockey more popular in India.
