Question
Explain why cricket became popular in India and West Indies. Can you give reasons why it did not become popular in the countries of South America?
Solution
India and West Indies were colonies of England, where cricket was very popular. This game also originated in South England. The British officials and sahibs in India and West Indies played cricket to pass off their leisure time. In both the countries, initially, the game was adopted and promoted by the upper class to imitate the colonial masters. Thus, it became popular in both the countries.
Most of the countries of South America remained under the colonial rule of other European powers, but not England. South American countries were under the rule of Spain (Chile and Argentina), Portugal (Brazil), France (French Guinea). Therefore, as cricket was not popular in the mother countries it did not become popular in colonies.
