In Washington, the emergence of a substantial diaspora from countries with fervent cricket followings such as India, Pakistan, and Australia seems to have engendered a novel facet within the realm of tourism and hospitality in the United States.
Established by a duo of Indian-American descent originating from Bihar, Cricketbuster, headquartered in Florida, endeavors to harness the cricket fervor prevalent among the Indian-American community and those hailing from nations with a rich cricketing heritage. Their approach involves offering tailored travel packages encompassing official match tickets, accommodations, air travel, voyages, and an array of other attractions for international cricket tournaments and the highly anticipated T20 leagues spanning the globe.
“We are forging ahead with sports e-commerce endeavors. Our initiative has garnered sanction from the International Cricket Council (ICC), affording us the privilege to market these packages. The inclusion of cricket match tickets is an integral facet of our offerings. We are curating an immersive experience,” affirmed Vinny Kumar, the chief operating officer of Cricketbuster, during an interview with PTI.
Kumar, in collaboration with his spouse Rashmi Kumar, laid the groundwork for this enterprise a few years back. Commencing with the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup held in India the preceding year, Cricketbuster has been designated as the official Online Travel Agency (OTA) for the ICC.
“It’s not merely about procuring a ticket or attending the match at the stadium. Consider, for instance, you’re heading to New York for an India-Pakistan showdown scheduled this year… There arises a quandary regarding lodging arrangements, proximity to the stadium, and other attractions in New York,” expounded Kumar.
“To address this, we offer all-encompassing packages, inclusive of official match tickets—an item notoriously challenging to obtain. Moreover, we extend assistance in securing suitable accommodations and intercity transfers,” he elaborated while in Orlando, attending the annual convention of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association.
“It’s akin to a comprehensive solution; you procure the package, revel in the stadium experience, and return. We oversee the entire itinerary. That’s our objective. We’ve garnered the backing of the ICC. We stand as the sole entity in the United States catering to this niche,” emphasized Kumar.
Though established by the Kumar couple in 2019, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic momentarily impeded progress. Nonetheless, in 2021, Cricketbuster orchestrated its inaugural tournament in Dubai, facilitating the travel of nearly 500 enthusiasts from the United States to the United Arab Emirates.
“This year marks a significant milestone with the T20 World Cup slated to take place in the United States. It signifies a watershed moment for cricket aficionados in the US. We’re facilitating access to official match tickets amidst prevalent fraudulent activities. Hence, the ICC entrusted us to ensure fans procure tickets through legitimate channels,” disclosed Kumar, whose professional background lies in information technology entrepreneurship.
A cricket enthusiast himself, Kumar articulated that the prospect of hosting international cricket fixtures in the US had long been a cherished aspiration for him and many others sharing his zeal. “Our fan base extends beyond India; we have supporters hailing from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Australia, England, as well as Nepal and Sri Lanka,” he acknowledged.
In anticipation of the much-anticipated India-Pakistan encounter in New York, Cricketbuster has devised two distinct packages. “Consider, for instance, an individual making the journey from California; it’s not simply a matter of attending a solitary match. Hence, we’ve formulated an intercity package priced at USD 1599 per individual, encompassing intercity transfers and a two-match bundle,” elucidated Kumar.
“For those desiring a heightened experience, an additional USD 100 will afford them an enhanced package, totaling USD 1699,” he concluded.