Football or Cricket

Had a chit chat with ma friends about 'Why Cricket is more famous than football in India?'

I was arguing that people in India will watch Asia Cup rather than watching FIFA World Cup which is much more popular around the globe.

My point was basic physical fitness. I would say Cricket is much lazier game compared to Football and hence people in India prefer Cricket to Football.

My friend argued Cricket needs equal physical fitness and that you need more mental strength for C which in turn requires good physical fitness and the popularity of Cricket in India compared to Football is not because of the physical fitness.

To me that is wrong notion.