There is also a theory that it originated from ancient bat - and - ball games played in the Indian subcontinent and eventually developed into the game of cricket in England .
The Indian subcontinent were then transported to Europe via Persia and the near east by merchants .
There is also a theory that it originated from ancient bat - and - ball games played in the Indian subcontinent , which were then transported to Europe via Persia and the near east by merchants , and eventually developed into the game of cricket in England .