In a spectacle that blended sport, culture, and community pride, Times Square turned into a cricket pitch for the first time in history during India Day celebrations on August 16, 2025. The event, led by Cricmax Connect and the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) NY-NJ-CT-NE, marked a symbolic moment in cricket’s growing journey across the United States.
The three-day India Day celebrations began on 15 August, with a ceremonial flag hoisting at the Consulate General of India in New York. Dignitaries and community leaders attended the ceremony, which also honoured U.S. national players Saiteja Mukkamalla and Jessy Singh for their contribution to the sport. Later that evening, Indian film star Vijay Deverakonda joined representatives from Cricmax Connect and the FIA to light the Empire State Building in the colours of the Indian flag.
The celebrations reached their peak the following day at Times Square. Amid the bustle of Manhattan, Deverakonda led a flag-hoisting ceremony alongside FIA members and community representatives. Adding to the sense of occasion, U.S. cricketers Sai Mukkamalla, Yasir Mohammed and Smit Patel were present, underlining the increasing role of cricket in American sporting life.
The defining moment came when a cricket match was staged at Times Square — a first for the landmark. The ceremonial opening saw India’s Consul General in New York, Ambassador Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, take strike as the first batsman, with Mr Satnam Singh Sandhu delivering the opening ball. The symbolic gesture quickly turned into a spirited session, with U.S. players, community leaders, and children all taking turns with bat and ball.
Spectators — a mix of Indian Americans, cricket enthusiasts, and curious New Yorkers — crowded around the makeshift pitch, cheering every stroke and delivery. For many, the sight of cricket unfolding in one of the world’s most recognisable locations was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Vinay Bhimjiani, Founder and CEO of Cricmax Connect, called the event a milestone for the sport in the U.S. “Cricmax Connect was created to give cricket in the U.S. a true grassroots foundation, a pathway where young talent can dream big and find real opportunities,” he said. “To see cricket being played for the very first time at Times Square is not just historic, it is symbolic of the sport’s rise here. Our vision is to make cricket part of America’s sporting fabric, and this moment proves that the game’s future in the U.S. has never looked brighter.”
The celebrations closed with music, dance, and community performances, blending the spirit of India’s independence with New York’s multicultural vibrancy. For cricket, however, the sight of bat and ball in Times Square may well be remembered as a pivotal step in its American journey.
