By Neil Ghosh
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], July 29: On June 29, 2024, India beat South Africa to win the T20 Cricket World Cup by seven runs, snatching victory from what looked like the jaws of defeat. Given India’s stellar performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup, I’m reminded of a significant piece of cricket memorabilia in my possession. This isn’t just any cricket bat; it’s a repository of history and memories, a symbol of cricket’s enduring spirit.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, formerly the ICC World Twenty20, is a marquee Twenty20 International cricket tournament organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC) since 2007. India’s performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup was remarkable, proving their dominance on the global stage. The 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the ninth edition, is being co-hosted by the West Indies and the United States from June 1 to 29, 2024. This tournament marks the West Indies’ second time hosting and the first major ICC tournament to feature matches played in the United States.
In 1995, I had the privilege of opening the Australian Government’s Trade Office (Australian Trade Commission) in Kolkata. This role offered me unique experiences, including witnessing the 1998 test match between India and Australia. India’s victory by an innings and 219 runs at Eden Gardens, Kolkata in March 1998 remains their largest margin against Australia in Tests. The scores were India – 633/5 wickets declared and Australia – 233 & 181, with Sachin Tendulkar scoring a blazing 79 off 86 balls.
The victory was momentous, but another event around that time holds a special place in my heart. As the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) representative for Eastern India, I was involved in numerous bilateral ventures and technological exchanges between India and Australia. During this period, I met Ian Chappell, the former Australian captain, to discuss importing artificial grass turf from Australia to India. Ian invited me to an auction at the Park Hotel in Kolkata to discuss the project further.
This auction was extraordinary; it was organized to support the family of Raman Lamba, an Indian cricketer who tragically passed away after an on-field accident. Raman Lamba had played in four Tests and 32 One Day Internationals, primarily as a batsman. In a tragic incident, Lamba died on February 20, 1998, after slipping into a coma following internal bleeding caused by being hit by a cricket ball while fielding in Bangladesh’s league cricket.
At the Park Hotel, the ambiance was electric, filled with Kolkata’s elite and cricket legends. The highlight was a cricket bat signed by the Indian Test team to be auctioned to raise funds for Raman Lamba’s family. On my arrival, I was greeted by SomaratiDutt, the hotel representative, who informed me that Ian Chappell would meet me after the auction in the ballroom. Ms. Dutta also mentioned that a similar auction had been held in Madras (now Chennai) earlier in March during the first test match, raising a significant amount for Lamba’s family.
Excited to support the cause, I decided to wait in the ballroom. As I entered, I saw Ravi Shastri standing at a podium, holding the cricket bat, and announcing the minimum bid. To my surprise, no one raised their hand to bid. Though I had no intention of bidding, I decided to start the process, thinking it might encourage others. I raised my hand at the opening bid, but no one else joined in!
Ms. Dutta approached me, saying, “Thank you, Mr. Ghosh.” Confused, I asked, “Thank you for what?” She replied, “You just bought the cricket bat.” It then struck me that I was now the owner of a beautiful bat signed by the Indian Test Cricket team. At that moment, I was unsure how to react.
Later that evening, Ian Chappell insisted that I get the Australian team to also sign the bat. Ravi Shastri also encouraged me to do the same. Ian invited me to the Taj Bengal Hotel, another beautiful hotel in Kolkata, for lunch the day after, where the entire Australian team was staying. Although hesitant at first, Ian assured me it was perfectly appropriate. The next day, amidst the frenzy of cricket fans at the Taj Bengal, I managed to have the bat signed by the Australian players.
It was an exhilarating experience that made me feel like a kid again.
The immediate impact of the T20 World Cup cricket in the USA will primarily be driven by the enthusiasm of the South Asian diaspora, who play weekend cricket and watch the games on TV. However, a growing awareness of the sport in the United States is a promising start. Last week, a contractor visiting our home noticed the bat and, to my surprise, asked, “Did India win?” He knew about the ICC tournament. That’s very exciting.
In addition to global prestige and sports fame, cricket in India has become an economic powerhouse for India’s economy. In addition to the Cricket World Cup, the IPL brings billions of dollars to India annually. In 2020 alone, it pumped around $6.7 billion into India’s economy. The IPL and grassroots development programs create a ripple effect across industries, generating jobs and contributing significantly to India’s GDP. The rise of digital media has fueled the cricket economy, with social media platforms, websites, and mobile apps providing real-time updates and generating significant revenue through advertising and sponsorships. Cricket offers employment opportunities for thousands in roles such as administrators, coaches, ground staff, commentators, and production crews, with the IPL alone boosting local economies.
This bat, once forgotten in my Maryland home for many years, has become our living room’s centerpiece. It is more than just a collectible. This bat in our living room will continue to symbolize cricket’s spirit and love, connecting two nations and commemorating a player whose life was cut short. It also symbolized India’s rise as a global economic power.
(Neil Ghosh, president of MGR Professional Services, senior advisor to Ousri Family Foundation, and former chief executive officer of SOS Children’s Villages USA, advocates for vulnerable children and climate action.)