I never imagined that one day I would become a cricket fan. To be honest, I didn't even really know how the game worked.
But after watching a match by chance, I was hooked.
And look, I'm one of those people who loves sports, but I always turned my nose up at those I didn't know very well.
But perhaps you are also curious about this fascinating sport and, of course, want to know how to watch it in the best way and with quality.
So, I'm going to share with you a list of amazing apps to track every move!
The history of cricket
I'm going to tell you a little about the history of this sport that has won my heart.
Cricket was born in England around the 16th century and quickly became a national passion.
With the expansion of the British Empire, the sport gained followers in countries such as India, Australia, Pakistan and South Africa.
Today, it is one of the most popular sports in the world, generating billions of dollars and featuring highly competitive leagues.
Cricket may seem like a complex game at first glance, but once you understand the basic rules, excitement is guaranteed.
How I fell in love with cricket
It all started in an unusual way, I was browsing through the sports channels when I came across a live broadcast of an Indian Premier League (IPL) game.
I saw a packed stadium, crazy fans and players who looked like true heroes. It was love at first sight!
I started to research more, understand the rules and soon I was following the main championships.
And to make this new hobby more exciting, I discovered incredible apps that made my experience even better.
My experience with the apps
As soon as I decided to follow cricket for real, I realized that I needed good apps so I wouldn't miss any games.
After testing several, I'll tell you which ones I liked the most.
I started with the ESPN, after all, I already used it for other sports. This app is great for following news and statistics, but the live broadcasts were limited. So, I went looking for something more complete.
That's when I discovered the Willow TV. This app is practically heaven for cricket lovers. It broadcasts almost all the major championships, the quality is incredible, but there is one detail: it is paid. Is it worth the investment? If you are a true fan, definitely!
Another one that surprised me was the Hotstar. I confess that I downloaded it without great expectations, but the coverage of the Indian Premier League won me over. In addition, it has movies and series, so I ended up keeping it installed on my cell phone.
When I wanted something more official, I tested the ICC.tv, the International Cricket Council's app. It has exclusive interviews, historical content and some live games. It's not the best option for watching everything, but it's worth it for those who want to follow the sport in more depth.
Finally, I tried the SonyLIV. It was perfect for watching Indian leagues and international tournaments. The streaming quality is excellent and the value for money made me keep it on my phone.
What makes cricket so special?
If you've never watched a game, you might be wondering why this sport has so many fans around the world.
The answer is simple: cricket is a perfect blend of strategy, skill and excitement.
Where each match can have incredible twists and turns and, unlike other sports, it is not only physical strength that counts, but also the intelligence and precision of the players.
Be it the shorter formats like T20 or the classic five-day matches, there is always something to surprise you with.
And now, with these apps, you can follow everything from wherever you are, without missing a single move!