What's Cricket? Star Players Face Off in U.S. Tour
Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne, two of cricket's best-known players, are in New York for the first of a three-city tour to promote the sport among U.S. fans over the next several weeks.
Cricket has roughly 20 million fans in the U.S. and Canada, but despite the game's popularity overseas, it's still relatively unknown in the U.S.
Tendulkar said, "There are certain countries where cricket hasn't reached and that is what me and Shane are trying to explore... Globalizing cricket is our dream. It's our vision."
Warne said the big misconception is that games can go for five days and still end without a clear winner. "What Sachin and I are bringing here to America is the rock 'n' roll version of cricket. That's 20-20 cricket that goes for three hours -- that's pure entertainment."
It will be the first time both cricket icons play on American soil.
Tendulkar said, "It's about how many hearts we can win here. The whole idea is to globalize the game and get people more engaged and more involved in cricket."
As for whether Americans in other cities can look forward to matches in their cities come 2016, Tendulkar says the two would like to come back to the U.S. to play more matches.
After playing countless games against each other over many years, both men say they'll be competitive with each other when they take the field.
Tendulkar said, "Once you cross the rope, you're competitive and that's what people want to see. We don't want to disappoint them."
Warne said, "I promise you, it will be game on for sure."
Sachin's Blasters will go head to head with Warne's Warriors on Nov. 7 at Citi Field in New York, on Nov. 11 at Minute Maid Park in Houston and on Nov. 14 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.