Cricket Fans Are Paying Increasing Attention to the NBA

From Chris Paul’s Rajasthan Royals investment to Rohit Sharma’s NBA interest and the planned 2027 India Basketball League, explore cricket’s growing connection with basketball.

Cricket Fans Are Paying Increasing Attention to the NBA (Image Source: Google)

The relationship between cricket and the NBA has developed gradually over the past few years. It began in 2022, when NBA star Chris Paul invested in IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals. Two years later, India captain Rohit Sharma attended an NBA game in Abu Dhabi and spoke openly about his interest in basketball. By 2026, basketball was preparing for a bigger step in India: the planned launch of the India Basketball League, led by a former Rajasthan Royals CEO and supported by former NBA players.

Those developments have created more reasons for cricket fans to notice what happens in the NBA. The NBA’s growing presence in India, combined with familiar cricket-linked names and storylines, has made major NBA news easier to follow for an audience raised on the IPL.

What Is the NBA?

For cricket fans who are not familiar with the NBA, it is the National Basketball Association: North America’s professional basketball league, made up of 30 teams from the United States and Canada. Its season runs from autumn to spring, followed by playoffs that decide the NBA champion.

The league is home to many of basketball’s biggest names. LeBron James, for example, is a four-time NBA champion and one of the sport’s most decorated players; he recently joined the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year deal, as detailed in NBA.com’s official coverage of the move. To see how that move may shape Philadelphia’s season, follow the latest developments in NBA markets.

Chris Paul, mentioned earlier in this article, is a 12-time NBA All-Star and one of the league’s greatest passers, having led the NBA in assists five times during his career. Other former NBA players, such as DeMarcus Cousins, Isiah Thomas and Vlade Divac, have also been contributing to basketball’s global development.

How Cricket and the NBA Have Connected Over Time

2022: Chris Paul Invests in the IPL

The most direct early link came in 2022, when Chris Paul became a minority investor in IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals. He joined NFL players Larry Fitzgerald and Kelvin Beachum as investors in the franchise.

Paul said he was excited to be among the first US athletes to recognise “the value and scope for growth in the IPL.” His investment placed an NBA champion within the ownership structure of one of cricket’s most prominent franchises, showing that interest between the two sports was already extending beyond fandom and into business.

2024: Rohit Sharma’s NBA Interest

Two years later, India captain Rohit Sharma made his own connection with the NBA more visible. He attended the NBA Abu Dhabi Games in October 2024, where the Boston Celtics faced the Denver Nuggets, and was seen alongside Thierry Henry, Ronaldinho and Iker Casillas.

Earlier that year, during the T20 World Cup, Rohit posed with the NBA championship trophy and named Michael Jordan as his favourite basketball player. He also mentioned LeBron James and Stephen Curry among the current players he enjoys watching.

Rohit’s interest did not make him an NBA player or investor, but it showed that the NBA had become part of the sporting conversation for a leading Indian cricketer—and, by extension, for many of his followers.

2026–27: Basketball Builds in India

The next stage is the India Basketball League. The IBL is scheduled to launch in early 2027 with six teams, after announcing eight foundation cities: Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh and Pune.

Jake Lush McCrum, the former chief executive of IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals, was appointed CEO of the IBL in 2026 to lead its launch. Former NBA players DeMarcus Cousins, Isiah Thomas and Vlade Divac also appeared at the league’s foundation-cities announcement, adding international basketball credibility to the project.

McCrum’s move from IPL franchise management to basketball, together with the involvement of former NBA players, gives the IBL a clear link to both cricket’s commercial experience and the NBA’s global profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Chris Paul’s connection to the IPL?

Chris Paul became a minority investor in Rajasthan Royals in 2022, alongside NFL players Larry Fitzgerald and Kelvin Beachum.

Why is Rohit Sharma relevant to NBA fans?

Rohit Sharma has publicly shown an interest in basketball. He attended the NBA Abu Dhabi Games and named Michael Jordan as his favourite player, while also praising LeBron James and Stephen Curry.

What is the India Basketball League?

The India Basketball League is a planned professional basketball competition scheduled to launch in early 2027. Six teams are expected to play in its inaugural season, selected from eight foundation cities.

Who is involved in the IBL?

Jake Lush McCrum, the former chief executive of Rajasthan Royals, is the league’s CEO. Former NBA players DeMarcus Cousins, Isiah Thomas and Vlade Divac appeared at the announcement of its foundation cities.

Why did LeBron James join the 76ers?

James said he wanted another chance to compete for a championship. His relationship with Tyrese Maxey and his desire to help Joel Embiid win a first NBA title also influenced his decision.

Conclusion

The NBA’s growing relevance to cricket fans has developed step by step: Chris Paul invested in Rajasthan Royals in 2022, Rohit Sharma spoke openly about his NBA interests in 2024, and the India Basketball League is now preparing for a 2027 launch with leadership experience from the IPL and support from former NBA stars.

For cricket readers, the NBA is becoming harder to ignore—not because it competes with cricket, but because the two worlds increasingly overlap.