Stake Cricket: A guide to the sport’s basics, origins, and more 

Cricket originated in the fields of southeast England, where shepherds are believed to have played the first version of the game. Instead of the usual bat and ball, they used their crooks to hit balls made of wool or cloth.

By the 17th century, the sport had gained enough popularity for the first recorded match to be played in Kent in 1646, and it soon became familiar.

The need for structure led to the creation of the first official ‘Laws of Cricket’ in 1744, which outlined rules for the pitch, stumps, and ball specifications. These rules were later refined by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), established in 1787, which became the official authority on the sport.

Around the 1760s, the method of bowling changed from rolling to pitching the ball, prompting changes in batting technique and equipment. By 1780, more changes to the gameplay occurred, and matches typically lasted three days. The six-seam cricket ball had been introduced around this time as well.

The need for a league has arisen since cricket has become more popular. This led to the creation of the world's first recorded cricket league, the Birmingham and District Cricket League, in 1888. This started the domino effect, and more leagues, such as the County Championship (1890), came into existence.

In the 19th century, cricket underwent some of the biggest changes. Wide balls were banned, the ball’s size was standardised, and protective gear like pads and gloves was introduced. At this time, ‘boundaries’ were also made, which gave the game more scoring opportunities and eliminated the need to run every hit.

One of the biggest shifts in the sport was in its bowling styles. Underarm gave way to round-arm and eventually over-arm deliveries. This became the standard by the 1880s, up into the early 20th century. Then came the overarm bowling, one of the styles still used in modern times. Rules and equipment for bowlers also evolved alongside these techniques.

The 19th century gave birth to the very first televised game of cricket, the Lord's Test, in 1938. Because of this, the sport was introduced to many, gaining popularity. Due to the bigger following, they have to evolve and invest in making it more exciting for the players and the public.

From the 20th century up to today, the modernisation of the sport was inevitable. Advanced tools and equipment, such as sensors, slow-mo cameras, and ball tracking systems, became widely used to help make decisions and better facilitate the games. Modern cricket is the fruit of these developments; now, global tournaments are more reliable and safer for the players.

These events shaped cricket into what it is now. From establishing the first cricket league to upgrading equipment, these changes created a more structured and safer means to play the sport. These developments also gave way to the sport being introduced to the media, hence its massive popularity today. Now, you can even watch it from the comfort of your home or explore more about cricket on Stake.

India is one of the widely known countries for its influence in the cricket scene today. They brought legendary stars such as Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Mahendra Singh Dhoni to the world of sports. Because of this, they created domestic leagues and tournaments of their own that are known for their talent, intensity, and impressive displays of athleticism.

Despite being local, its popularity spans across the globe, and many foreign cricket fans love to watch these tournaments. Their domestic scene spans all ages and genders, giving fans a variety of what they want to watch.

To give you a better background, here are India’s domestic leagues and tournaments you can find at the Stake cricket site: