Is India ready for sports other than cricket?

This year saw advent of many premier club based sports in India. There was something more to cheer about for the city based fans than just cheering for cricket. Pro Kabaddi, Indian Super League (Football) saw huge fan following throughout the country. Does such leagues / sports really challenge cricket?

Part 1 – Kabaddi trends in 2014

Based on the Google trend stats based on search:

The Pro Kabaddi interest was at peak during the games played in the month of July.

The regional interest was mainly form the cities that had teams representing them. A surprise in top 10 cities, at No.5 is “Sucre”, Capital of Bolivia.

When data of 2013 and 2014 are compared, the commencement of Pro Kabaddi league has definitely gained interest of people in Kabaddi in general.

Kabaddi is well followed in Northern part of India, esp in Punjab and also in the Punjab region in Pakistan. The advancement of ProKabaddi league has successfully gained interest in the game in other parts of India, as Pune was among the top 10 cities that searched for Kabaddi in 2014.

Regional Interest in Kabaddi in 2013

Regional Interest in Kabaddi in 2014

India vs Pakistan – Who should be dropped from the team Rahane or Rohit Sharma?

All the below analysis are based on the squad T20 international experience:

If India drops Rahane for the match against Pakistan

• Based on career average, & strike rates, the team is expected team score between 156 and 178
• They team is expected to score atleast 7 sixes
• Team is expected to score atleast 15 boundaries.
• There is 11% chance that atleast one batsman will score a half century
• Chance of a Batsman getting out on a duck is 2%

If India drops Rohit Sharma for the match against Pakistan

• Based on career average, & strike rates, the team is expected team score between 157 and 184
• They team is expected to score atleast 7 sixes
• Team is expected to score atleast 16 boundaries.
• There is 10% chance that atleast one batsman will score a half century
• Chance of a Batsman getting out on a duck is 2%