Cricket's superpower arrives

The Rock Stars of cricket have arrived in Colombo. The presence of Team India has ramped things up considerably as they prepare for their initial outing in the Compaq Cup Tri Series.

All cricketing senses in Sri Lanka have been heightened and peripheral activity has increased dramatically. The travelling band of journalists are clambering over each other to snatch that headlining quote and snappers are aiming and focussing lenses incessantly. It is all a bit overwhelming really but it does provide an interesting snapshot into the lives of these cricketing superstars.

Ten Sports is the broadcaster of this Lankan home series and over the next few days they will be beaming the pictures into the homes of 75 million subscribers in India.

Come 1.30pm Indian Standard Time on match days hundreds of millions of fanatical Indian supporters will be crammed around television sets as we begin our 1 hour build up show called Straight Drive. It will not be unusual for many households to have around fifty sets of eyeballs glued to a solitary tv set, absorbing the flood of information coming their way. Even the streets will be packed with millions around the nation watching intensely at every move Sachin or Harbhajan make from some vantage point at a cafe or kitchen or maybe even a shop window.

These scenes in India, when their beloved team is in action, are quite extraordinary and unmatched worldwide by any other sporting code.

Just for a moment, imagine what it must be like on a day to day basis for the likes of Sachin and MS Dhoni when they spend time at home. A near impossible and surreal existence confronts them head on each and every day. Such are their levels of adulation and fame. It is no wonder that Sachin lives a reclusive lifestyle and rarely sets foot out of his home when not smashing opposition attacks to all parts.

As I punch away on my keyboard hundreds of security herded people are gathered near or in the hotel foyer straining for a glimpse of their idols.

Team India is one of the most powerful commercial brands in the world. That stature is simply due to the population of India which is now well over 1 billion people.

The bedrock of this popularity stems from success. Should Team India win all three of their matches at the Premadasa Stadium they will rocket to number one in the ODI rankings.

Should that happen their stocks will rise again and instantly the status of the Champions Trophy will be elevated.

That's coming your way soon.