Montgomery County’s cricket scene: Embracing the World Cup on home turf

“It’s cricket. It’s like a religion,” says Wootton High School sophomore and avid cricket player Akki Kaushik. 

2024 has been a momentous year for cricket fans in the United States, as the country participated in and hosted the world cup for the first time. However, the local cricket scene has been growing for years now, and Montgomery County has wholeheartedly welcomed this historic event. With avid fans and curious newcomers tuning in, the Cricket World Cup has also shone a light on the thriving cricket culture here in Montgomery County. 

What is cricket?

Cricket, a ball-and-bat game with origins dating back to 16th century England, has spread throughout the centuries and become a beloved sport in many countries, spanning from huge countries like India to small islands in the West Indies. The game is played between two teams of 11 members each, the goal being to score more runs than their opponents by batting and bowling (throwing) a ball on a rectangular 22-yard-long pitch. The batting team scores runs by hitting the ball bowled at them and running between the wickets/posts. Meanwhile, the bowling and fielding team aims to prevent the batting team from scoring and dismiss the batsmen by hitting the wickets with the ball or catching the ball before it touches the ground. After every inning, the batting and fielding teams switch and the process restarts, continuing for varying amounts of time based on the version of the game being played. The sport has evolved into various formats, including the traditional test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and the fast-paced Twenty20 (T20), which is the format used in the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup.

Cricket growth in the U.S.

While cricket has traditionally been overshadowed by other sports in the U.S., recent years have seen a slow but steady surge in popularity. Local organizations and tournaments have sprung up, fostering a tight-knit cricketing community. One such figure at the heart of Maryland cricket is Maryland Cricket Premier League (MCPL) co-founder and commissioner Bijal Shah. Organizers and cricket enthusiasts like Shah have worked hard to create awareness and build a local community around the sport. “When we started in 2010, cricket was very unknown in the country,” explains Shah. Those years of hard efforts have led to the growing cricket community in Maryland and the spread of numerous leagues and tournaments – such as the Maryland Youth Cricket Association (MYCA), with over a thousand aspiring cricketers, and the Washington Cricket League (WCL) – providing a platform for cricket players to showcase their talent. 

Montgomery County's cricket community

Cricket in Montgomery County has grown tremendously, with four fields having sprung up since 2010. This growth can largely be attributed to organizations which helped get cricket up and running in Maryland, like MCPL and WCL. These leagues have become the backbone of the local cricket community, offering platforms for both youth and adult players to participate in a welcoming and competitive cricket. 

Alok Kumar, an avid cricket player, sees this inclusivity as one of cricket’s strengths. “Cricket is more than just a game here; it's a community event. Every weekend, you see families coming out to support their teams, creating a festive atmosphere,” he says.

Local Cricket Team

Photo: A local cricket team and their trophies.

A local cricket team and their trophies. Photo courtesy of Akki Kaushik.

Another important aspect of this community are academies like Sunny Sohal’s Cricket Academy (SSCA). SSCA and similar cricket academies are hubs for players to train. Kaushik remembers the early days of his cricket journey. “When I first joined [SSCA], there was nothing much I could really do…and then last year, I got much better.” Kaushik says. “I think [cricket] is one of those games where, if you're down and under, [SSCA] will bring you back up.” His story emphasizes a broader trend of increasing youth participation in cricket across Montgomery County. The sport’s tight-knit community has drawn many to cricket, and increased youth engagement is a reflection of its growing appeal. However, cricket’s steady growth has surged due to the U.S. being one of the hosts of the Cricket World Cup. 

The Cricket World Cup 

The 2024 Cricket World Cup was a historic event in cricket history, with India claiming the title for the first time in 17 years. In a nail-biting final series, India edged out South Africa in a match of 176-169. This year was the first time the United States participated in the event, playing co-host along with the West Indies. 

Prior to the tournament, there were many questions as to how the first-time team would fare against veteran teams like India and Australia. However, the U.S. pulled through, being widely praised for their performance throughout the tournament. From the 20-team field, the team, captained by Monank Patel, made it through the top eight, also known as the “Super 8s”, which made Team USA automatically qualify for the next World Cup. Kaushik is very enthusiastic about this development, as it ignites spirit in young cricketers across the country. “Because now we know that our country is playing on the World Cup level…it really gives a lot of motivation to really go out there and represent," Kaushik says. The enthusiasm among younger players and the increased visibility brought by the World Cup have further fueled cricket's expansion at the local level. 

The Cricket World Cup’s local impact

Kumar found that the Cricket World Cup’s publicity led to a lot more awareness in the local community. “Ever since the World Cup started in the U.S., it's definitely helped. I’ve been able to find so many more cricket fans, whether it's my coworkers or neighbors.” Similarly, Kaushik saw more people joining the SSCA. “Since the USA played Pakistan, we've seen a surge in interest. More people are showing up, wanting to learn and play,” he says.

Meanwhile, tournament organizers like Shah are hoping that the increased publicity from the World Cup will draw attention to long-standing issues with cricket in Montgomery County. One of the primary challenges is the lack of open spaces with adequate amenities and cricketing infrastructure. Most cricket grounds in the area are artificial turf, which falls short of the natural clay or grass surfaces traditionally used for cricket. The change in surface makes a huge difference in the game. “If a batsman really hits the ball hard, it's not going to go anywhere,” Kaushik says. However, natural grounds are hard to install and weather – leaving Maryland cricketers “struggling with a makeshift city,” according to Shah. 

Yet, the lack of grounds has become an even bigger problem. The youth cricket program, which has seen tremendous growth in the past five years, has a couple thousand boys and girls taking up the sport. “We definitely need more grounds in Maryland, because the games are now starting to really expand…we go very far, like one hour drives for these games.” Kaushik says. The issues for both players and coordinators show the importance of events such as the Cricket World Cup; even just some recognition of the sport could go a long way for the development of better playing fields. 

Joining the cricket scene

Conversely, increased awareness has opened doors for those who want to get involved with the sport. “I would say the first step is to continue watching more games,” Kaushik says. “And go to a league or find some academy nearby, and start training.”

The local cricket scene is bustling with people, and local organizations are always looking for more members. Local clubs such as the Montgomery County Cricket Club (MCCC) and leagues like MCPL offer platforms for both beginners and seasoned players. Shah recommends that people “reach out to these [organizations] and [they] will be happy to help them connect with the right set of teams and the right set of clubs.” Likewise, academies like SSCA offer opportunities for improving cricketing technique and gameplay.

With all these options, it’s no wonder that cricket is a sport on the rise – so instead of opting for a bowling alley for your next outing, maybe try out bowling on a cricket field!