13. Summary

Ramachandra Guha traces the history, characteristics and evolution of cricket in the lesson 'The Cricket Story'. He says that cricket was a game that evolved \(500\) years ago but was recognised as a distinctive sport only towards the seventeenth century. Initially, the ball was rolled over in the ground and the batsman had to strike it with a bat that was curved towards the end. Later the ball was pitched in the air. The duration of a test match is long and can still end in a draw compared to other matches. Although the length of the pitch is determined as \(22\) yards, the dimensions of the stadium is not fixed as it can be oval or circular. The Laws of cricket were established by various cricket clubs like MCC, where umpires were appointed, three stumps were introduced. Unlike other games, most equipment in cricket is handmade. In India, cricket was first taken up as a sport by the Parsis. They had to go through various rivalries with the white officials regarding the gymkhanas but won in the end. In India, cricket is an emotion and people value and remember cricketers who have contributed to the Nation. Television is one of the best tools that has acted as a means to bring cricket closer to the audience and increase its global market.