Graeme Swann's Encounter with New Yorkers and Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar, often hailed as one of cricket's greatest players, found himself in an unusual position in November 2015 when he arrived in New York for the Cricket All-Stars series. The city, bustling with life, was largely unaware of who he was, making it a curious experiment for the cricketing legend. Graeme Swann, the former English bowler who was part of the series, vividly recalls the chaos that ensued when Tendulkar checked into a hotel in Times Square.

As Swann recounts on the Stick to Cricket podcast, the first day of training was marked by gridlock as an estimated 200,000 Indians living in New York flocked to see Tendulkar. The scene was nothing short of bedlam, prompting the NYPD to intervene and form a human chain to manage the crowd. Swann's anecdote captures the surreal nature of the event, where a cricketing icon was met with a mix of excitement and confusion.

In a particularly memorable moment, Swann found himself in the hotel lobby as the commotion unfolded. A couple nearby, witnessing the frenzy, asked, "Who's this guy?" Swann, searching for a relatable comparison, responded, "Oh, that's Sachin Tendulkar, he's like the Michael Jordan of cricket." The couple's response, noting that they expected Tendulkar to be taller, underscores the cultural gap and the challenge of conveying Tendulkar's significance to an audience unfamiliar with cricket.

The Cricket All-Stars series was a groundbreaking event, featuring a three-match T20 exhibition across major venues in the USA, including Citi Field in New York and Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. It marked the first time Tendulkar and Shane Warne played in the United States, and the squads were drawn randomly in Times Square. Swann was part of Tendulkar's Blasters team, which included other cricketing greats like Virender Sehwag and Brian Lara.

Cricket's rise in the American sports scene

Despite the Warriors winning the series 3-0, the event ignited a decade-long fascination with cricket in the USA. Fast forward to today, and the landscape has changed dramatically. The United States co-hosted the T20 World Cup in 2024 and even secured a victory against Pakistan in Dallas, showcasing the sport's growing popularity.

A new era for cricket in the U.S.

The establishment of Major League Cricket, which has completed four seasons, and the return of cricket to the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028 further illustrate this shift. Notably, the Knight Riders Group invested $21 million in building a cricket stadium in Pomona, which opened in July 2026 and will host Olympic cricket, reflecting the sport's expanding footprint in America.

As cricket continues to gain traction in the United States, the initial confusion surrounding Tendulkar's identity serves as a reminder of how far the sport has come. What was once a niche interest is now becoming a significant part of the American sports landscape, with cricket no longer needing comparisons to basketball legends to justify its place.