How a childhood love for cricket has turned into a lens for questioning nationalism and colonial legacies in India vis-à-vis Manipur Cricket is often called a religion in India, and for good reason—it’s been a passion for millions across the subcontinent for decades. Yet, the art of watching cricket, especially on television, has undergone an extraordinary transformation—a journey intricately tied to technological evolution, socio-political shifts, and the dynamics of personal engagement. Growing up in Imphal, where football is the OG sport, my cricket experiences were a mix of enthusiasm and doubt. This piece looks at how watching cricket on TV has changed—from Doordarshan to OTT platforms, black-and-white to colour screens, and how Manipur’s politics has shaped my bond with the sport. Back in the early ’90s, tuning into a cricket match was a big deal—a shared experience that brought families and friends together. In Manipur , where power cuts were common and cricket fans were few, m...