According to Osho, cricket in India functions as a socially sanctioned catharsis: a “cultured” outlet for latent aggression and emotions that might otherwise spill over into crime and conflict. Its players are worshipped like film stars because they ventilate collective impulses. Unlike India’s tepid, child-centered traditional games, cricket embodies youthful energy and modern aspiration, thus dominating public passion and shaping contemporary cultural identity.
Cricket helps people safely let out strong feelings, so cricketers become heroes and the game fits modern youth better than old local games.