Cricket's New Innings: The Ledger of Trust Written on Blockchain Hashes

In December, at the ticket gate of Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, a young fan showed me a QR code on his phone instead of a paper ticket. He said the ticket was written on a blockchain and could not be forged. That moment reminded me that cricket's real change is no longer limited to bats and balls; it is happening in the back office, in the ledger of trust. This article explores how blockchain is entering cricket through ICC Fan Tokens, smart contracts, digital ticketing and NFTs. It argues that the true power of blockchain is not money but trust. Fan tokens give fans voting and exclusive experiences but not ownership or shares. Smart contracts can automate player payments and make transfer and auction records permanent. However, the technology must not exclude fans without smartphones or internet access. The carbon cost, privacy risks and the need for institutional accountability remain major concerns. Based on my fifty years of watching cricket, I believe the next innings of the game will be shaped by how institutions balance digital transparency with human connection. The final question is not about code, but about the fan who cannot afford a ticket. If the technology does not protect that fan, the blockchain revolution in cricket will remain only a footnote.