History of ESPNcricinfo in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 16, 2026

ESPNcricinfo is the world's leading digital platform dedicated exclusively to cricket. Established in 1993, it provides comprehensive coverage of the sport, including live ball-by-ball commentary, real-time scores, detailed player statistics, and expert editorial analysis. Owned by ESPN, the platform serves as a vital hub for global cricket fans, offering a massive archive of historical data, news updates, and multimedia content. Beyond match coverage, ESPNcricinfo is renowned for its authoritative voice in cricket journalism, featuring contributions from veteran writers and former players. Its integration into the broader ESPN network has cemented its status as the primary destination for following international and domestic cricket leagues worldwide, ensuring that fans remain connected to the sport through sophisticated data visualization and deep analytical insights.

March 1993: Launch of CricInfo

On 15 March 1993, British researcher Simon King officially launched CricInfo, a platform designed to provide cricket news and scorecards to fans who previously lacked access. The service functioned as a computer bot that distributed match summaries and data via Internet Relay Chat, e-mail mailing lists, and Usenet newsgroups.

1993: Conception of CricInfo

In 1993, Simon King conceived the platform originally known as CricInfo, creating it in a format that existed before the widespread adoption of the World Wide Web.

1995: Registration of Cricinfo.com

In 1995, the domain name Cricinfo.com was officially registered, marking a significant step in the website's history as it transitioned to the World Wide Web.

1996: Cricinfo Named Official World Cup Site

In 1996, Cricinfo was designated as the official website for delivering live scores and updates during the 1996 Cricket World Cup.

1997: Cricinfo Corporate Incorporation

In 1997, the platform was formally incorporated as a company in the United Kingdom, with King and Badri Seshadri appointed as the organization's inaugural directors.

1998: Sportal Investment and Business Expansion

During 1998, the company secured an investment from Sportal, transitioning its funding model to rely on advertising and sponsorships while taking over the management of official websites for Cricket South Africa and Zimbabwe Cricket.

2000: Satyam Infoway Acquisition and World Cup Sponsorship

In 2000, Satyam Infoway acquired a 25% stake in Cricinfo for $37 million, valuing the company at $150 million. During the same year, Cricinfo also served as the title sponsor for the 2000 Women's Cricket World Cup as designated by the ICC.

2001: Ashes Streaming and Pageview Milestone

Throughout 2001, Cricinfo navigated the aftermath of the dotcom crash while achieving significant digital milestones, including the live streaming of The Ashes cricket tournament and reaching a total of over one billion pageviews for the calendar year.

2003: Wisden Group Acquisition

During 2003, the Wisden Group secured a majority stake in the CricInfo company, marking a significant change in ownership.

December 2005: Launch of Cricinfo Magazine

In December 2005, Wisden rebranded its defunct Wisden Asia Cricket magazine as Cricinfo Magazine, focusing specifically on news and coverage of cricket in India.

2006: Reported annual revenue for 2006

During the year 2006, the company reported reaching an annual revenue milestone of £3 million.

June 2007: ESPN Inc. Acquires Cricinfo

In June 2007, ESPN Inc. officially announced its acquisition of the cricket website Cricinfo from the Wisden Group, a move intended to integrate the site into ESPN's digital portfolio and rebrand it as ESPNcricinfo.

2007: Sale to ESPN

Following the dissolution of the Wisden Group, the platform was sold to ESPN in 2007, which resulted in the site being rebranded as ESPNcricinfo.

May 2014: Launch of CricIQ

In May 2014, ESPNcricinfo released CricIQ, which is an online testing platform designed to evaluate and challenge the cricket knowledge of fans.

August 2014: Launch of The Cricket Monthly

In August 2014, Cricinfo launched The Cricket Monthly, which was established as the world's first digital-only magazine dedicated to the sport of cricket.

September 2021: Launch of AskCricinfo

In September 2021, ESPNCricinfo introduced AskCricinfo, a specialized natural language search tool developed to assist users in navigating and exploring detailed cricket statistics.

November 2024: Cricinfo joins JioStar group

In November 2024, Cricinfo was integrated into the JioStar group as a result of a joint venture and merger involving Disney India, Reliance Industries, and Viacom18.

November 2024: Transition to JioStar

In November 2024, the site became a part of the JioStar group following the merger of Disney India's assets with Viacom18, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries.