Cricket's interests are perennially at risk of being secondary to political interests: Gideon Haigh

Published on July 17, 2025. In this episode of Frontline Conversations, veteran cricket writer Gideon Haigh speaks about his new book “Indian Summers”, a chronicle of over a century of India-Australia cricket. Haigh reflects on the evolution of one of modern cricket’s fiercest rivalries—from the epic 2001 Eden Gardens Test to India's back-to-back series wins in Australia. He discusses why Virat Kohli is a media magnet, what makes Pat Cummins a unique captain, and how India has become cricket’s commercial hegemon. Haigh also talks about the growing political influence in cricket administration, the influence of the BCCI and Jay Shah’s role. He ends with a defence of Test cricket as the most complex and rewarding format in the sport. Context: Over the last two decades, India and Australia have emerged as the twin centres of power in international cricket—on the pitch and off it. India’s rise as a cricketing superpower has reshaped the game’s finances, culture, and diplomacy. As Australia adapts to this shift, the India-Australia rivalry is not just sporting—it’s symbolic of cricket’s new world order. Gideon Haigh’s insights come at a moment when the sport stands at the crossroads of tradition, money, and global politics. Highlights: -Why India vs Australia is the future of Test cricket -How Virat Kohli redefined India’s cricketing image in Australia -Why Pat Cummins is a departure from the Aussie captain archetype -Cricket journalism in the digital age and the challenge of independence -Haigh’s critique of Jay Shah and the political capture of cricket -Can Indian players in global leagues fix world cricket inequality? -What Saudi investment could mean for cricket’s future Perfect for: -Cricket fans following India-Australia rivalry -Readers of Gideon Haigh and cricket literature -Those interested in sports, politics, and media -Viewers tracking BCCI’s global influence -Students of sports journalism Credits: Host: Aditya Mani Jha Producer: Kavya Pradeep M. Assistant Producer: Mridula Vijayarangakumar Editor: Razal Pareed Subscribe to Frontline: https://frontline.thehindu.com/online... Follow us on: Facebook - / frontlineindia Twitter - / frontline_india Instagram - / frontline.magazine