This post was brought to you by the India Association of Minnesota (IAM)
It’s time to dust off those bats because the India Association of Minnesota (IAM) and the Minnesota Tennis Ball Cricket Association (MTBC) have partnered to organize the upcoming Cricket Utsav (festival in Hindi), a day-long celebration of cricket, culture and community. This Saturday, May 24, at Bryn Mawr Meadows Park Cricket Field in Minneapolis, all are welcome to experience an engaging mix of live cricket matches, food trucks, entertainment and fun activities for all ages.
What to Expect at the Cricket Utsav
The festival will showcase a full day of friendly men’s, women’s and kids’ cricket matches, with both organizations joining in on the action. The celebration aims to familiarize sport-loving Minnesotans with India’s largest sport, and what better way to do so than with a day outdoors, ingrained with culture and community. In 2024, the USA made its debut in the T20 Cricket World Cup, symbolizing a rise in cricket’s popularity nationwide.
Cricket is a Hit in Minnesota, Continues to Increase in Popularity
Alongside the growth nationally, there is also growing momentum in Minnesota as more and more people are attracted to the sport. To help the advancement, Minnesota’s legislature is looking at ways to officially recognize cricket as a high school sport, inspired by local schools such as Wayzata and Lakeville that have already started to offer cricket as a school sport. Minnesota has several coaching facilities, with indoor and outdoor batting nets constructed more recently, too.
Whether you are a seasoned cricket player who grew up playing gully cricket or someone new to the sport, the Cricket Utsav offers a welcoming environment with activities and excitement for everyone.
What is Cricket?
Introduced by the British, the first recorded cricket match in India took place in the early 1700s. By the early 1900s, Indian teams began competing internationally, and in the 1930s, India played its first official Test match. Over the decades, cricket became deeply ingrained in Indian culture, producing legendary players and inspiring huge fan followings. Today, India is one of the world’s leading cricket nations, with a vibrant domestic scene and a powerful presence in international cricket.
The game is played between two teams of 11 players each. The batting team tries to score runs by hitting the ball and running between wickets, while the bowling and fielding team tries to dismiss the batsmen and limit runs. Matches can vary in length, from short Twenty20 games to five-day Test matches. The team with the most runs wins.
Event Details:
Location: Bryn Mawr Meadows Park Cricket Field, 601 Morgan Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN 55405
Date & Time: Saturday, May 24, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Match Schedule Highlights
- 9:00 – 10:15 a.m.: IAM Team 1 vs. MTBC Team 1
- 10:15 – 11:30 a.m.: IAM Team 2 vs. MTBC Team 2
- 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.: IAM Team 1 vs. MTBC Team 2
- 12:45 – 2:00 p.m.: IAM Team 2 vs. MTBC Team 1
- 2:00 – 3:15 p.m.: 3rd place game between rank 2 teams
- 3:15 – 4:00 p.m.: Mixed-Gender Exhibition Game
- 4:00 – 5:15 p.m.: Kids Team 1 vs. Kids Team 2
- 5:15 – 6:30 p.m.: Grand Finale: IAM vs. MTBC top-ranked teams
- 6:30 – 7:00 p.m.: Awards Ceremony
Join the Celebration
This festival is a fantastic opportunity to connect with the local community, experience the thrilling sport first-hand and embrace the growing cultural ties between Minnesota and India. Whether you come to cheer, indulge in delicious food or enjoy family-friendly activities, you won’t want to miss this.
For more details, visit: https://iamn.org/event/iam-mtbc-cricket-utsav/
