AGRA: Cricket has got hugely popular in the Taj Mahal city of Agra thanks to the light and safe tennis ball.
With more and more young men taking to India's most popular sport here, the tennis ball has made it safer to play in crowded neighbourhoods and on narrow alleys.
Now a cricket tournament being played at the Agra College ground using the tennis ball is drawing hundreds of fans.
"This is definitely more exciting and less dangerous than regular cricket (ball)," Vishal, a photographer and a tennis ball cricket enthusiast, said.
The lofty fours and sixes are now being scored without the fear of getting hurt - or breaking glass windows.
"Thanks to the tennis ball, girls and women can also join the game and enjoy the thrill," said another cricket fan, Pramod.
"And players excelling in tennis ball cricket can later switch to regular cricket and really do well there," said the young man.