Tucked between the Electronic City area and gridlocked localities of Varthur are over two dozen playgrounds that have been hosting perhaps the latest wave in Bengaluru cricket scene — apartment complexes taking part in league matches with inhouse players. Hosted in a buzzing area that’s home to some of Bengaluru’s biggest IT and business crowds, always hungry for more growth and success, it’s common to spot CXOs and business leaders at these leagues, wielding bat and ball during the weekends. Take the case of Sreekumar, chief technological officer at Trivium India: he usually signs off his packed work week with a league cricket match. He is currently playing the winter edition of Southeast Bengaluru tournament, which has drafted in nearly 30 teams from various apartments.
Playing a serious game
From corporate leagues to neighbourhood tournaments and backyard matches, Bengaluru has been a hotbed for amateur cricket leagues for a while now, with several tournaments happening every week across various parts of the city. “Now, apartment leagues too have become a significant part of the local sports culture,” says Sreekumar, who has been a long-time cricket player.
“For many apartment residents, these leagues are not a pastime. For them, these matches are a big event for which their players train really hard. Organisers ensure that every detail is taken care of, to make the event successful,” he says. Windmills Of Your Mind, WoodWinds Warriors, BLEED BLUE XI, The G.O.A.T Squad, Habitech-Stallions are some of the teams.
Often, a collective interest in cricket leads to team formation in individual apartment complexes. “Since housing societies in Bengaluru consist of large apartment complexes, teams tend to be quite diverse,” says Sreekumar.
League match scene exploded after teams from different apartment societies showed interest in challenging each other, paving way for larger game formats that are played for months. Networking effects attracted more teams and amateur talent, paving the way for emergence of broader and more competitive leagues.
“The league’s structure itself can take on different formats, such as a knockout round depending on the number of teams involved and the time available for matches. Also, balls used in these leagues vary at times. This flexibility allows the league to accommodate a growing number of teams while maintaining excitement and engagement for all participants,” says Sreekumar. Usually, the ball used is an FLX hard cricket ball. Played in T20 format, the matches typically start around 6.30am and last for about three hours. The scheduling is planned well in advance, factoring in breaks for holidays and ensuring that teams are aware of their match days and off weeks.
Age no bar
There’s no retirement or any kind of age cap to play in apartment leagues, one reason why they are a huge hit. A great passion for cricket and good sporting skills are the only two qualifiers. Team rosters typically feature players in their late-20s to those in their 50s, creating a mix of energy, experience, and skill across the board.
A lot of work goes into organising league matches, which includes careful planning and coordination. Organisers communicate with all participating teams before finalising match timings, ground availability, and other logistical needs. In terms of finances, while the exact details may vary, expenses generally include ground rental fees, equipment costs, payments for umpires and possibly refreshments for players, all of which determine the overall budget of the league.
The camaraderie and bond among players are what make these leagues truly special. In one instance, when a player collapsed and died during a match, team members went into total shock. But since true sportsmanship is also about overcoming tough moments and rooting for each other, the grieving teammates honoured their fellow player’s memory by hosting a special tournament.
Apps to track stats
Bengaluru amateurs have their top scores and match records displayed on CricHeroes, an app designed for local amateur cricketers worldwide. The app helps users track local matches and broadcast scores online, mirroring the experience of international matches. It matches the standards of professional scoring apps and offers detailed data-driven insights into the finer aspects of the game. The app in fact allows for comparisons between players, helping teams to focus on particular opponents who may pose a significant threat during the match. Tracking player performances is key to determining who should be awarded ‘Player of the Match’. The app encourages competition and engagement among players and teams, motivating them to perform better in future matches.
Grounds on demand
With the rise of apartment cricket leagues comes an even greater demand for bigger spaces to play. Match organisers began leasing out grounds from landowners, paving the way for over two dozen grounds that have sprouted in the sprawl connecting Varthur and Electronic City, providing the crucial infrastructure needed for the booming cricket culture in that part of the city.
The grounds are typically located in areas with a high concentration of players, such as Sarjapur, Whitefield, and Harlur, where apartment complexes and residential societies too are abundant.
Narasimha Prasad Bulusu, who works for a leading e-commerce company, and is a league match player and organiser, explains that the grounds are usually rented out on a long-term basis, with organisers needing to book them several months in advance. “Demand for these grounds has grown significantly as the city emerged from the Covid-19 pandemic. The rush is such that if organisers don’t book early, they risk not securing a spot for their tournaments,” he says.
With increasing participation in cricket leagues, the demand for available grounds has never been higher. “If we consider a scenario where a ground is booked for multiple matches over a weekend, the earnings could range significantly. For example, if a ground hosts five matches in a weekend at an average rate of Rs 7,500 per match, the total for the weekend would be approximately Rs 37,500. Over a month, assuming four weekends, this could amount to around Rs 1,50,000,” he adds. Now, this is besides other expenses.
Prashanth, who has leased six cricket grounds in the Sarjapur area, runs two major leagues that take place throughout the year with a maximum of 24 teams. Over the past four years, he has organised approximately 110 tournaments and facilitated over 2,000 matches across these venues.
In one week alone, between 24 to 30 matches are played, with participants primarily coming from within a 10-kilometre radius.
Prashanth too agrees that the demand for leased cricket grounds in Bengaluru surged after the pandemic. “For some reason, street cricket declined and players began seeking more structured spaces,” says Prashanth. He adds that the popularity of leather-ball tournaments too is on the wane.
“Many find ground leasing a lucrative business in Bengaluru. The venues I manage cater to cricket enthusiasts who seek to unwind through cricket after their hectic work weeks. While the business remains profitable, the growing number of venues has intensified competition, which could affect long-term profitability,” he says. The rental costs for the grounds he operates range between Rs 9,000 and Rs 10,000, depending on the quality of the pitch and outfield.
Karthik Srinivasan, who is an IT lead to various consulting firms, mentions that while renting out grounds for cricket leagues was once a side income for many property owners, it has now become a primary source of revenue. This is particularly true in the context of corporate cricket matches, which would cost a minimum of a few lakhs of rupees to rent out a ground for a few hours.