Final answer:
Cricket spread to Western India first in the 19th century, facilitated by the British colonial influence and presence, particularly the British East India Company. Western India's city of Bombay, with its British military and trade influence, played a central role in the establishment of cricket clubs and the sport's growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
Western India in the late 19th century. It was under British colonial rule that the sport proliferated, especially in regions that experienced significant British military presence and influence, such as Bombay (now Mumbai). The British East India Company's control over trade and territories provided the necessary infrastructure and leisure class that promoted cricket's growth. Notably, in Bombay, cricket clubs began to form, providing a structured competition that propounded the sport throughout the region.
Cricket’s propagation in the Indian subcontinent resonates with the cultural and historical ties due to the British Raj, which continue to influence the deep-seated cricket rivalry, for instance, between India and Pakistan. South Asian achievements in cricket are substantial, with countries such as India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka winning the prestigious Cricket World Cup.