If one were to go by the number of cricket based websites that launched recently (or about to launch soon), one can definitely say that cricket mania has gripped the online world. Everyone is hoping to cash on the world cup frenzy. News, video sharing, mobile score alerts, live score widgets, social networking features, blogs – you name it — any and all the web 2.0 ingredients have been used by different websites to various extents.
Here’s a quick summary of all the Cricket based sites that are hoping to cash on the world cup fever:
1) Criki is a Digg clone that allows users to submit stories and other forms of rich media (audio, video, pictures) related to cricket. The rest of the community then votes for the stories and decides which stories sift to the top. In return, each user earns karma for their votes, comments and submissions.
2) Sixer.tv is a social networking site for cricket fans. Sign up, create your profile, upload photos, videos and join a club (aka Orkut community). They recently announced an online contest for cricket fans and a roadshow too.
3) CrikeM, now known as CricTv.com is a video sharing site for cricket fans – aka YouTube for cricket. They tied up with Reliance world to enable Reliance World users to easily upload and view videos.
4) Google has launched a new cricket campaign which can be seen at this landing page. They have also brought in K Srikkanth to write a blog – www.worldcupwithkrish.blogspot.com. An entire community has been created on Orkut (favorite hangout of Indian netizens) where cricket fans can chat, discuss and meet each other. Google also offers Google Desktop widgets that will track live scores and cricket news. As part of this campaign, Google is also organizing a cricket blogging contest – http://www.google.co.in/cricket/contest.html – the winner gets to be on TV with K Srikkanth.
5) Zeecric.com was launched by Zee News – hoping not to miss out on the eyeballs. Zaheer Abbas, Steve Waugh, Maninder Singh, Nikhil Chopra and Vinod Kambli will be regular columnists on the site. Mainly has the regular fare of a cricket based site – live scorecard, commentary, news etc. (via IndianTelevision)
6) K Srikkanth also launched his own website: KrishCricket.com. They planned to launch two games for the cricket world cup. More on ContentSutra
7) Nazara Technologies launched Sachin Zone. Mobile users can download games, wallpapers, themes and audio commentary from the little master himself – via Hindu
CrickStock is an online cricket stock exchange. User can trade stocks of their favorite cricketers. This basically sounds similar to PicksPal – where wisdom of the crowds may help in determining the winning predictions – via AlooTechie
9) Cricektology is a website where cricket fans can test their cricketing acumen and make predictions about the World cup. You earn points based on correct predictions – the top scorers earn prizes – via DNA
These are just some of the cricket based startups that are gearing up for the World Cup. Other portal initiatives, marketing promotions (dazzling number of promos) are not included as part of the list above.
Will you be using any of the above sites / services to enhance your online world cup experience ? Do you find them addressing a void in the online cricketing space ? Do you find anything lacking in the user experience ?
Personally speaking — I’ll swear allegiance to any of these startups / sites if they can rope in Mandira Bedi as part of their promotions 
