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With a massive jump in the cryptocurrency and blockchain space around the world, the Non-Fungible Token (NFT) market has also shot up with its ability to infuse in various sectors of society. NFTs are unique and non-interchangeable data stored on a digital ledger.
NFT uses blockchain technology to establish a valid proof of ownership of otherwise easily reproducible items like photographs, videos etc. These NFTs, starting from the world of Art and Music had entered the world of sports in recent times.
The popularity of these Sports-specific NFTs has seen a sudden growth in India which has been one of the most thriving sports markets in the world. These NFTs have generally been around India’s favourite sport - Cricket.
A recent report presented by Deloitte Global predicts that NFTs for sports media will generate more than US$2 billion in transactions in 2022, about double the figure for 2021. This growth is because of the global trends and the government of India’s pending policy/regulatory framework in this area. Hence, the NFT-based market for movies and sports memorabilia becomes a reality in India.
With the conclusion of the 2022 Indian Premier League, several sportspersons have entered the NFT market. Stars like Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan, Rishabh Pant, Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, AB De Villiers, Shakib Al Hassan, and Faf du Plessis have signed up with Rario, a cricket-specific NFT market place.
Let us look at a list of 5 moments from IPL 2022 that could be minted as NFTs.
1. Rahul Tewatia's last-ball six
The Gujarat Titans were chasing a massive total of 190 against the Punjab Kings, where GT’s Rahul Tewatia pulled off an absolute miracle. The Haryana all-rounder came into bat in the last over, when the Titans needed 19 runs. He first took a single and then was given strike with 12 runs remaining from two balls. Here, Tewatia lived up to his reputation and smashed two sixes on the remaining two balls as he won the match for the Titans.
2. MS Dhoni's last over mayhem
The Chennai Super Kings had a terrible season as they won just four games and were the ninth-placed team on the table. But their best moment from the tournament came courtesy of MS Dhoni. CSK were playing their arch-rival Mumbai Indians where the Yellow Army needed 17 runs in the last over. Dhoni was at the non-striker’s end on the first two balls and then got strike with 16 required from four balls. Here the former Indian captain turned back the time and smashed one six and three fours to pull off an incredible win.
3. Evin Lewis’s game-changing catch
In a tournament full of incredible catches, Lucknow Super Giants’ Evin Lewis’ catch against Kolkata Knight Riders to dismiss Rinku Singh was a catch to remember. The catch was taken at a crucial juncture as KKR needed three runs in two balls when Singh sliced a slightly wider delivery towards point. Here Lewis ran across from the deep backward point, stretched out his left hand and took a diving catch to seal the win.
4. Pat Cummins wreaks havoc
Kolkata Knight Riders’ all-rounder Pat Cummins didn’t have a great 2022 season as he suffered a hip injury. But in his short stint with KKR, Cummins played one of the knocks of the tournament when he smashed Mumbai Indians' bowlers for 56 runs in 15 balls to chase down the total of 162 in 16 overs. The Australian started off by hitting 11 runs in his first three balls. Then against Daniel Sams, Cummins hit four sixes and two fours and chase down the total with ease. Sams’ over ended up costing MI 35 runs as he also bowled a no-ball amidst the big-hitting.
5. Yuzvendra Chahal’s magical hattrick
Rajasthan Royals had a near-perfect season. One of their stars in this incredible season was Indian leggie Yuzvendra Chahal who won the Purple Cap for his 27 wickets. One of Yuzi’s top moments from the tournament was his match-winning hat-trick against Kolkata Knight Riders. The 2012 champions were cruising at 178 in 16 overs when Chahal picked four wickets in one over. He started off the over by dismissing Venkatesh Iyer and then on the last three balls, cleaned up Shreyas Iyer, Pat Cummins and Shivam Mavi to seal his fifer.