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there's always a story Beyond The Score.

I saw how great they were.

And then people would come up to me when I'm at the tournaments they are awesome players.

I sleep, eat and drink cricket every day.

and we want to make sure this is meaningful for the next generation too.

You have to play to your opponents tempo and they have to play to you.

Watch out Dan!

That camera is a lot, its worth more than me.

Welcome to Beyond the Score.

I'm your host, Al Martin.

I'm here at Delta Mills Park.

Where behind me.

Well, that's the heartbeat o a sport that might surprise you.

Cricket.

Right here in Lansing, Michigan.

Wickets and sixes aren't just overseas anymore.

The diverse community of cricket is carving out a real space in America's sports scene.

But we're not just talking about bowl outs today.

We're also stepping into a digital arena where reflexes are just as sharp.

But the battleground is virtual.

Michigan State's esports team is leading a charge into a booming industry that's redefining what it means to be an athlete in 2025.

So whether it's cleats on grass or thumbs on a controller, today is all about two fast growing frontiers of sport.

Let's dive in.

Cricket, The world's second most popular sport, is rewriting its story in the heart of Michigan Very well played sir.

at Delta Mills Park.

The rhythms of Mumbai, Kingston, London and much more ech through Lansing's afternoon air, a sport once sustained by pick up games and a handful of Dreamers is no a thriving community movement.

But to understand how it took root here, you start with the players who helped shap the league's earliest seasons.

Captains Umar Tahir and Naresh Reddy, Im pretty sure it started early in 2011.

Even before that and it used to be, you know, basically some of the professors or the I.T.

professional or whoever worked over here, but then, you know, th induction of the baseball field, you know, that became ver popular and in the Detroit side.

So we started using them as well.

when I started playing, there were hardly like five teams playing.

And now we have like literally 9 to 10 teams.

That's incredible.

Yes, it has doubled the size.

for both captains.

Cricket isn't just competition.

It's family.

A way to stay connected to their root and build new ones right here.

of course, where you're from, cricket is huge and you ideally grew up with the sport.

Why is this sport so important to you both?

that's the only sport I knew when I was growing up, until like high school, every kid back home, at least in Pakistan, and I'm pretty sure and in India as well, they want to be a cricketer, you know, And then from there, the reality hits them that, you know, I'm not good enough to be a pro.

But, you know, we have that's that's how it came to me as well.

any other game, you see like two people, four people play like tennis, two people play badminton, other stuff.

But here you play like, you know, 11 people, at least a player and 22 on the field.

it's more of a family.

You know, I, I defend my family as much as I defend my team.

And that's what it is like is building is building those, you know, new bridges and, you know, those connections with each other.

But the leap from casual games to a full fledged league, well, that needed vision.

And that vision came fromLansing Cricket League co-founder Prashanti Boinapally.

She saw the potential early a chance to give player a home for cricket in Lansing.

I grew up playing cricket, too, back home.

We play on streets.

We have Pitches everywhere.

So we never thought that, you know, you need a pitch and you have to look for it, rather.

So that's when the Lansing Cricket League taking place and we wanted to make sure that, you know, we represent the needs of our community.

She showed township officials exactly what cricket meant to millions.

The passion, the fanfare.

And she convinced them that Lansing deserved a place for it too.

this is an important sport for us because this is national sport.

like American watch football and soccer on TV.

Every single person watches cricket when there's national finals, state finals, they take time off and watch on TV.

this is an important sport for us and it's meaningful and we want to make sure this is meaningful for the next generation too.

Did you feel like you had to convince others just how big this sport is when you first presented the league?

We showed them videos kind of showed what that means.

And it's a British game, but it's adapted in India and it' still continuing to be played.

And one of the biggest cricke star you play for a few years.

It can retire for your life.

So it's that huge.

So I really wanted to convey that message to folks.

so many countries represented when you guys get out there and play against one another, that has to foster a sense of home while also leaning into diversity.

Right?

cricket is played all around the east.

You know, India and neighboring countries too, right.

Like Nepal, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh.

So it just tells you how good it is to kind of come to another country where you're working and make this home and call it a home and you're still, you know, together and making friends from different countries, different cultures and this pitch provides that space.

Today, the league reflects that global footprint, a multi-lingual multi cultural mosai all brought together by cricket.

And among those players, one stands out not just for his skill, but his commitment.

Ganesh Goud Sunkari, better known as Ganna.

Ganna played Division one at the tender age of 14 year old, back in his home of India.

He was a four year captain in college and here in the Lansing Cricket League, he has won best batsman three times.

This is obsessive for you, right?

This is it.

This is- Cricke is more than just a game to you?

Yeah like I said, like I sleep, eat and drink and cricket every day.

I dont even remember who was my first teacher in school, but I still remember when I started holding my bat.

As a kid, Ganna woke before sunrise playing cricket at 5 a.m.

before school, So I used to play in the morning from 5 to 6.

5 to 6:30.

Come hom fresh up, eat breakfast and run.

Sometimes I used to skip breakfast because when I don't have time, but I never skip cricket.

That's how I was.

and surprisingly The toughest competition he's faced?

Right here in Lansing.

cricket back home and here, are very different.

we have like people from eight countries So when everybody comes and plays, everybody has their own idea and the way they how they train there it was different.

So would you sa the competition is greater here, then when you play back in India?

yeah, definitely.

Yes.

very stronger here.

Cricket can look complex for newcomers like myself.

So we ask Ganna and a few league players to break down the basics.

I'm Hari.

I'm predominantly a bowler and I've been in the Lansin Cricket League for 13 years now.

Hey, this is Manideep.

I'm here with the Lansing.

Cricket League.

From six years, and I'm a batsman.

Awesome.

I can tell.

Hi, I'm Bhadri I'm here from ten years with the playing Lansing Cricket League, and I'm the wicket keeper for the team.

Awesome.

Let's do it.

All right, Ganna, can you explain where each of them are and what position theyre playing.

So he's a bowler.

And he's a batsman, he's a wicket keeper Bowler.

Bowler, batsman.

and wicketkeeper of course and back of the wickets.

Gunna how do you score.

So once a bowler balls so once a batsman hit theres multiple ways if the ball is still inside, they can run.

If they complete one run, it's called single.

even the batsmen come back from there to here, And now this is two.

So since his back now is two.

That's how they run.

And you can just go?

Yeah.

Until?

Until they're like nine fielders, until the fielder catches the ball and throws it to the keeper or the bowler without getting it out.

so in the same with there are boundaries.

If you see the inner circle in outer circle, the outer circle, like once a ball rolls and it goes past the outer circle, they are worth like four runs if it be just directly away from the boundary, It's like six runs.

Wow.

Wow.

This is a signal for six.

I thought this was touchdown guys!

Well.

Well, what's, what sport are we playing here?

So since it was outside of the outside flags there it is six runs.

It's basically like a home run by cricket style.

Yes.

I love it.

I love it.

Shall we go to outs now?

So like I said, like keep the batsman was here and the throw came and the wicketkeeper hit the stumps like in a similar like a basebal like hitting the base its out.

He should be in the base So that's how it works then?

So we got to get those wickets.

Yes.

in order to be out.

So I can throw and that's out.

So he's out if you're still running.

Yeah, but if you're here, You're safe.

Safe.

yeah, right here.

Yeah.

Yep.

That's an out.

That's an out.

is there a possibility that we can show an out where the bowler hits the wicket?

Yeah, I know that's tough, but... Almost, almost.

Almost.

It's going to happen.

Bear with us.

Close.

Oh, that was close.

Okay, alright lets bring the cameras in.

Last one!

You want one more.

Okay.

Thatss the one, thats the one.

Yeah, just.

We'll just have somebody hit it close.

Closer.

There we go.

There we go.

Alright.

Finally.

So now we are here talking about bowling and the technique of bowling.

Can you break this down Ganna?

So the ideal for the fast bowler is like two fingers to the index finger and the middle finger and a thumb is holding the ball.

the way you release the ball, its how you release, this is very important.

It reminds me a lot of a jump shot in basketball when you you know, you want to follow through.

Follow through.

Exactly.

Follow through is very important in bowling.

So the release is like this it is backwards.

and technique is here.

Gotcha.

You bring that back backspin.

And you create the backspin, the swings.

So it's boom, boom.

Yes.

I will try one, why not.

Come on Al, you can do this.

that's a good first - That's a very good first shot.

First time ever throwing a cricket ball!

Sign me man!

Awesome.

Definitely.

Love It.

Love it.

Okay, Ganna we are now here talking about batting.

And when you first started playing your coach used to tell you a certain technique.

Sure.

Can you explain that?

Sure.

my coach always used to ask us to drop the bat down and he asked us to put the hands like this.

V. Like two Vs.

You see?

One, two.

And boom.

and body straight.

Body straight I can play 360 degree.

I can play all th way from this cut straight right off right also hook.

Wow.

I can play any shot.

Just try to put your right hand here and the left hand.

Yup.

Bam.

He's a batsman now.

Easy Yep.

See?

Easy!

This is easy!

Yep.

yeah, I need to start coming here on the weekend.

Watch out Dan!

Almost took out Dan.

That camera is a lot, its worth more than me.

Okay, Ganna.

Thank you so much man.

You may have just created a cricket player.

What began as pickup games has evolved into Lansing's biggest cricket stage, Where cultures connect, families gather and reputations are made.

For the league's leaders, Prashanti and Ganna say that they are aiming for 20 to 25 teams and that they would like to see more pitches around the Lansing area.

The ultimate goal is an indoor stadium which would allow for year round play.

In Lansing, cricket has become... Culture.

Connection.

It's home for player who have roots around the world and for those discovering cricket right here for the first time.

And this is only the beginning.

Program note.

Video games are meant to be seen and played, but due to copyright rules, you won't see any actual gameplay in this story.

However, we are shining a spotlight on a few fascinating personalities on the Michigan State University Esports team.

They give us a look at the preparation and passion that drive competitive gaming forward.

This is the world of esports.

And trust me, the action is just as intense off the screen.

Good luck, brother.

Good luck.

You gonna need It.

Yeah, you gonna need it.

All right.

Okay.

Oh oh.

There we go.

Look at that.

All right, all right.

That was my one of my goals.

Just to get a few hits in o you.

Yeah, I mean, you got them.

Your world ranked or continentally ranked.

So, one minute and 32 seconds.

You beat me?

Yeah.

What's the fastest you ever beet somebody?

30.

30 seconds?

Yeah.

How is that humanly possible?

All right, Dyson.

Well, you know, I want you to kind of dive into your histor as it pertains to video games.

Yeah.

When did you first fall in love with them?

And then how did that get catered into?

Really gravitating toward Super Smash Brothers Ultimate?

Well, to be honest, I've been playing games since I was like three.

I think, honestly, Why do you love this game so much?

What is it about it?

I love competition.

I love to fight.

I love getting to pick apart my opponent and figure out what makes things click.

Chris Bilski is the director of esports at Michigan State University, which is one of over 200 U.S.

colleges and universities that now offer scholarships for esports athletes.

The type of scholarships offered vary from program to program.

I think a lot of outsiders, when they hear that, oh man, you can get a scholarship at Michigan State to play video games.

They think that it's like a full ride, right?

So all of our students that are part of our program do receive a partial scholarship to Michigan State University.

The highlights and the headlines tend to be those schools that offer, you know, full rides, full tuition.

But that's not at all the norm when it comes to collegiate esports.

when I first got here we weren't considered a varsity program.

probably due to the success of all of our teams, we were like scouted in a way to become a varsity program my sophomore year.

And from then on, players received scholarships, becoming varsity, we started traveling way more to different places across the country.

So when you become varsity, you become recognized as like an official scholarship sport at the university?

Yeah, Basically.

Now, now we're like an organized progra that the staff actually manages.

In addition to Michigan State, other universities across The Mitten that have adopted esports include the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan, Davenport, and the powerhouse that is Northwood University, where the esports team has become one of the best in the nation, claimin multiple national championships.

That kind of succes for the Timberwolves is helping to fuel Bilski and his team at MSU, we want to be the best program in the Big Ten.

Ultimately, if we can beat Michigan on a regular basis, if we can beat Ohio State, that's what we're looking to do with our program.

And from there, yes, if we can be nationally competitive or if we can can move up to the top of those rankings, you know, that's just a bonus and cherry on top.

and they are off to a pretty good start.

The MSU esports Super Smash Brothers Ultimate Team, taking home the championship in the inaugural year of Big Ten competition with all 18 universities.

Meet Derien and Dan, known in the gaming world as Linus and Hawk.

No, don't adjust your television.

You are seeing doubl because these two twin brothers have been foundational pieces to the rise of MSU esports.

And unlike many siblings, these two have a profound respect for one another.

Better gamer in general.

goes to him.

I think currently it's definitely him.

okay, So overall, Dan, you say your brother and you say right now, Derien, it's Dan.

You guys are both so kind man.

The two brothers are from Ypsilanti, Michigan, and were so engulfe in video game culture growing up that they entered tournaments as often as they could when those tournaments starte putting cash in their pockets, something clicked for them and their mother, Anna, who would drive the two across the stat for competitions on the regular.

there was one day after a pretty big tournament that I had done well at.

I came home to my mom, and I won like 800 dollars, and that was the most money I've ever won from the game at that point.

she was like, happy and excited.

And I didn't she didn't know it was going to be like that at all.

Yeah, mom bega to fuel the interest of her two young boys, realizing that video games for them could be something more than just kids having fun.

The compensation for winning the tournament?

was that the light bulb?

Yeah.

Oh yeah.

you could get something for doing this?

Yes.

Because I'm driving them there.

Shoot was it every weekend?

Nah they had them like- Seemed like I was driving somewhere all the time.

a lot of gas money I saw how great they were.

And then people like would come up to me when I'm at the tournaments with them, they come up to me and say Are you Linus and Hawks, mom?

So then I was celebrity status in a sense, you know, because yeah, I'm I'm Linus and Hawks, mom.

And then I'll say yeah they are awesome players.

I know winning isnt everything but they were winning.

Yeah.

And, and they loved it an they looked forward to doing it.

The brothers became nationally ranked, eventually coming to MSU to pursue their education.

When they first arrived in East Lansing, MSU Esports was not a varsity sport.

Now, Michigan State graduates Derien and Dan see a golden opportunity for young kids where they are from to use esports as a too to elevate their circumstances.

Do you think esports can be another way out?

Another way out?

Yeah, right.

Yeah.

You know what I mean when I say that?

this is an incredible way to make it ou if you want to say it that way.

You don't need a special place to do it.

All you need is the equipment, You know, like you don't need a field to practic and you just need the computer or the system or the game or whatever.

you can get good really fast, especially because there's resources online, And for those that scoff at the notion of esports being a sport.

Well you may want to reexamine that.

Every week, the team watches hours of film, puts in practice.

And look, I was even informe that they have a nutritionist.

Dyson is obsessive about his process of preparation, how often are you studying?

is that an everyday thin where you're looking up, okay, you're going through every roster and you're making notes in a big notebook or something, or how are you doing that?

I do keep notes.

I keep them on my phone.

But like Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are generally our practice matches.

Jump in the air.

See how slow you fall.

I fall really fast.

Oh, you do?

you run a bit slower than I do.

Okay?

I generally just get a feel of how they move versus I can tell like where they're going to be when they're going to come in and like what moves they approach with.

So like my bes move is my forward air because it's big, it's active, it goes out there.

It's also a multi hit.

It has multiple.

hits.

Okay, let's say though, you're playing somebody and they're countering all of that.

shield beats attack and grab beats shield and attack beats grab.

And if they're shielding a lot, I've start grabbing them.

If they're like moving away, I'll use a move that goes further after like attacking, then I'll just have to dodge.

You know, you You have to play to your opponents tempo and they have to play to you.

what do you say to those people who don't really understand it and don't see it as a sport?

I think that a lot of sports have been traditionally a kind of physical thing.

I think that as long as there's a competition between two or more it's a game, you know, I feel like that's the most important part.

I feel like the same plays are being made in football.

The same plays are being made in any traditional sport can be seen in Smash.

I feel like anything qualifies as an esport as long as it has that competitive vibe to it.

at least in the eyes of Anna.

She fully understands that playing video games and being good at them is something tha definitely takes a bit of skill.

I can't hold the controller.

Yeah Without looking at the controller.

And so by the time that happens, then I'm done.

You're done game over.

Game over for me.

MSU esports added Jonathan Eaton to its team last year.

Eaton serves as content and production coordinator for the program.

Much of what he does is selling MSU esports to potential recruits, because it's all about trying to nab that five star talent on the joysticks to make sure you can compete and win.

A big part of my job is to make the brand look friendly enough and ge those students the opportunity.

There's a lot of great basketball players.

A lot of great football players have gone to do cool things in the NFL, but some of those people are more known for their play in college.

And that's something an opportunity that we can give specific students as well as, Hey, do you want to make a name as a Michigan State legend for Smash Brothers What are the five and ten year goals for MSU esports when it comes to your vision?

we feel really good about what we've built so far, We want Michigan State to be the one stop shop for esports when it comes to the Midwest.

when people look at what an esports program should be, we want them to think of Michigan State.

Can you say back to back?

That's right.

Earlier this year, Dyson's MSU Smash Team won a second straight Big Ten esports Conference Championship, becoming the first team in Big Ten esports history to do so.

And Dice continue to show off his gaming prowess, becoming the number on Falco player in North America.

A badge he earned righ as we were producing this story.

In addition to that, MSU's Rocket League team went a perfect 12 and 0 to also win the Big Ten chip.

And you know what?

I've still got something to prove, too.

I'm way too competitive to end this stor without one last shot at Dice.

Cue that rematch.

I want to rematch, lets fire this thing back up.

Okay.

Good luck.

Good luck.

You're going to need it, you know what All right.

Good sportsmanship.

I'll keep it clean.

Yes.

From the boundary lines of Delta Mills Park to the flicker of gaming screens in MSU's state of the art arena.

One thing is clear.

Sport is evolving.

Cricket, once considered a world away, now echoes here in Michigan with every pitch and swing building, community identity and plain old joy.

And in the digital domain, esports is a platform for scholarships and careers, with Michigan State players at the forefront.

So what did we learn today?

Cricket and esports may play by different rules, but the competitive pulse of both beats just as strong.

Thanks for watching Beyond The Score.

I'm your host, Al Martin.

Be easy people.

Beyon The Score is supported in part by Capital Insurance Services offering comprehensive personal and commercial insurance, including medical professional liability to Lansing and throughout Michigan since 1980.

More resources and information about offerings at capitalinsurance.com.