SMALL BOX, BIG HIT

Time of India

12-05-2025

In the heart of Ahmedabad, as dusk settles and city lights flicker to life, the spirit of
cricket
keeps its date with urban ingenuity, exuding a makeshift charm. Box cricket, a compact variant of India's beloved game, has captured the imagination of Amdavadis, transforming vacant plots into vibrant gathering spaces where generations connect and friends bond with each other under the glow of floodlights.
The night air carries the sounds of competition and camaraderie, creating a
community
ritual that has become an inherent part of the city's after-hours
culture
.
Satyen Raval, founder of a box cricket facility near Anant University, has witnessed this transformation firsthand. 'Box cricket has emerged as one of the fastest growing
sports
trends in Ahmedabad. The concept really took off in the last two to three years. With the scarcity of traditional cricket grounds and declining physical stamina among many players, box cricket offers the perfect compromise.
People still have a deep love for cricket but find this compact version far more accessible and convenient,' he says.
What sets box cricket apart is its ability to bring the game to the people as the arenas are often set up within residential areas or community spaces. Players range from six-year-olds to seniors in their sixties, though most enthusiasts fall within the 17-35 age group.
The business model has proven irresistible for landowners and entrepreneurs alike.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
AI guru Andrew Ng recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around in 2025
Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List
Undo
Meet Patel, a 27-year-old developer, who invested in a box cricket facility last year, says, 'Cricket is our national passion, but traditional formats have become increasingly impractical for most people. This gap has created the perfect opportunity for box cricket to flourish. As someone already involved in construction with a personal love for cricket, setting up a box cricket facility near Tapovan Circle last year came naturally to me.
I invested approximately Rs 25 lakh to create a 120×80 feet space with 42-foot-high nets.'
'The facility is now averaging five hours of bookings a day, with demand steadily growing. Our busiest period is between 8pm and 1am, and we are anticipating a significant surge during the vacation season,' he adds.
The business proposition is increasingly compelling for property owners. Many landowners who prefer regular income rather than selling their property are turning to box cricket.
'Developers frequently partner with these landowners, with land typically leased at around Rs 100 per square foot. Initial investment runs into approximately Rs 25-30 lakh, but ongoing maintenance is minimal. Operations are streamlined, requiring just one staff member to manage the facility,' Raval further says.
NIGHT OWLS AND CRICKET
This nocturnal preference reflects both practical considerations and cultural traditions.
'Most facilities see peak bookings between 8pm and 2am, sometimes extending until 3am. The daytime heat deters players, so evening and night slots are in highest demand. During holidays, bookings start as early as 5pm. Hourly rates typically range from Rs 1,000-1,200, touching Rs 1,400 during peak holiday weekends,' explains Raval.
Harsh Padhiyar, a student whose evenings are now reserved for these miniature battlegrounds, explains, 'Box cricket has become much more than just a game for us.
It offers a welcome escape from academic pressure while strengthening the bonds between friends. Unlike simply hanging out at cafes, it keeps us physically active and motivated to maintain our fitness. It is the perfect combination of social interaction and recreation.
'
For many players, the box cricket experience does not end with the final ball. Several facilities have embraced the concept of a complete entertainment experience, offering cozy cafes where players can refuel and relive the highlights of their matches over refreshments.
Bhavya Ojha, a 26-year-old real estate developer, has also recognized box cricket as an emerging trend and recently established a facility on Science City Road. 'I've been passionate about sports since childhood and always dreamed of launching my own sports venture. When I set up this box cricket facility on my land, I knew Amdavadis would love it. We're already seeing full bookings on weekends and good turnout on weekdays.
The vacation period looks especially promising, with both children and families eager to play alongside guests and neighbours,' says Ojha.
Kalpendrasinh Jadeja, who runs a washing machine service centre, shares, 'For years, I played at the GMDC ground in Vadaj. Now at 40, after hip replacement surgery, playing on open grounds isn't feasible for me anymore. Box cricket has been my salvation. It has kept my passion for the game alive.
Our group of about 20 friends meets every Friday at 10pm without fail. No reminders are needed. It has become such a ritual that everyone just shows up at the appointed hour.
'
'Box cricket has become an expected amenity in larger residential communities,' explains Taral Shah, director of a real estate company in Ahmedabad. 'We have incorporated these facilities in three of our projects housing over 300 families each.'
The trend extends beyond residential spaces into Ahmedabad's corporate environments. 'We installed a box cricket facility at our office headquarters,' says Monil Parikh, director of a real estate consulting firm in the city.
'Our predominantly young team spends Saturday afternoons playing together for 3-4 hours. It serves as both recreation and a powerful team-building tool that strengthens workplace relationships.'
SURAT'S SPORTING GEM
In Surat, known for its bustling diamond industry, box cricket has emerged as a sparkling alternative to traditional sports venues. With over 100 facilities now dotting the cityscape, it has become a vital outlet for sports enthusiasts facing an acute shortage of open grounds.
'There are virtually no open grounds left in cities today, and people desperately need spaces to play,' explains Kamlesh Patel, chairman of C B Patel Box Cricket.
'What makes box cricket so appealing is that players get readymade infrastructure. They simply need to show up with a bat. It has also become a social catalyst, with groups and communities organizing gatherings where they can socialize while staying physically active.
'
The sport has penetrated deeply into Surat's social fabric, with educational institutions, residential societies and community groups regularly organizing tournaments in the box cricket format.
'First, it's an affordable way to maintain fitness, and second, it provides a meaningful activity beyond just hanging out,' notes Jay Sharma, a cricket enthusiast. 'In most neighbourhoods, people head to box cricket venues after dinner, making it part of their evening routine.
'
MODIFIED RULES
Rajkot, the birthplace of cricket legends, now boasts between 80 and 100 box cricket facilities, charging Rs 1,000 to 1,200 per hour.
What makes the format particularly appealing is its accessibility — requiring less physical exertion and technical expertise than traditional cricket, thus welcoming participants across age groups, including beginners.
Pruthviraj Ahir, who runs Infinity Sports Club on Kalawad Road, observes, 'Box cricket is becoming incredibly popular because it is inclusive. Men and women across age groups can participate comfortably.
We regularly host groups of doctors, corporate employees, friends and students.'
While maintaining cricket's essential spirit, box cricket in Rajkot operates with modified rules for faster, more engaging gameplay: no LBW rules, a limit of two fielders behind the wicket, no wide ball regulations and mandatory straight batting, with left-side hits resulting in an automatic out.
For Parth Bagdai, an auto parts trader who plays twice weekly, the appeal is clear: 'We typically play for three hours.
With the average cost coming to Rs 200 per person, box cricket is quite affordable considering the enjoyment it provides.'
BUSINESS MEETS FUN
In Vadodara, box cricket venues, both large and small, have proliferated across the city in recent years with weekend slots consistently booked to capacity.
The format has also gained popularity among professionals seeking convenient fitness options. 'Many businesspeople and professionals struggle to maintain regular workout routines due to time constraints.
Box cricket offers them an enjoyable physical activity combined with social interaction,' says Sandip Desai, who operates a spacious box cricket venue in Manjalpur.
Avi Amin, who owns a 10,000 sq ft facility in Makarpura GIDC estate, points to urbanization as a key driver: 'Vadodara once had numerous open grounds where people could play cricket freely. Even gully cricket was ubiquitous. But urban development has eliminated most of these spaces and vehicles now occupy the lanes where children once played.
Box cricket has filled this void.'
The format has even entered the corporate sphere, with companies organizing box cricket tournaments as part of their CSR initiatives, Amin adds. The growing trend only shows how thinking inside the box has opened up boundless new possibilities for recreation in space-constrained urban environments.
— With inputs from Nimesh Khakhariya, Tushar Tere and Yagnesh Mehta