Cricket enthusiasts and fans of the sport in India, a country where cricket is revered as more than just a game, are ecstatic as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially welcomed cricket back to the Olympics at the Los Angeles 2028 Games. This historic return of cricket to the Olympic stage, after a 128-year absence, has evoked joy and excitement among Indian celebrities, sports stars, and the global cricketing community.
In 1900, cricket made a brief appearance at the Paris Olympics, with just two teams, one from Great Britain and one from France, competing for medals. Since then, despite its widespread global popularity, cricket has been absent from the Olympic program. However, thanks to the LA28 Organizing Committee’s proposal, cricket has been reinstated alongside baseball-softball, flag football, lacrosse, and squash.
The announcement was made during the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai, India, and it was met with widespread enthusiasm. Indian javelin ace Neeraj Chopra expressed his delight, stating, “It’s great tidings for India as we have a great cricket team and some superb up-and-coming players with a lot of potential. This will also benefit cricket as an entry into the Olympics will only further its worldwide appeal.”
For Indian cricketers, this represents a unique experience. Indian hockey star PR Sreejesh commented, “For the cricketers, it is an entry to a sportsperson’s life. They usually travel to elite places and stay in posh hotels. But when they get to the Olympic Village, they will see different Olympians, medallists, and elite international athletes. So it will be a fantastic experience for them.”
The inclusion of cricket at LA28 has also set Bollywood buzzing. Acclaimed actress Deepika Padukone, whose father is Indian badminton legend Prakash Padukone, expressed her excitement, emphasizing the significance of cricket in India.
The global cricketing community shares the excitement, with former Indian women’s team pacer Jhulan Goswami hoping to see both the Indian men’s and women’s cricket teams participate in LA28 and secure medals for their country on the Olympic stage.
Mithali Raj, former India captain and the highest run-scorer of all time in women’s cricket, added, “It is so exciting that cricket is now an Olympic sport and will make its return at LA28. Players will get the chance to compete for an Olympic gold medal and be part of the games, which will be so special. It’s also a chance for more fans around the world to enjoy our fantastic sport.”
The format and qualification process for cricket at LA28 will be revealed at a later date, promising a new era for cricket in the Olympics. In contrast to the two-day ‘Test’ match played in Paris in 1900, modern-day cricket is played over five days, and teams typically consist of 11 players instead of 12. This milestone marks an exciting development in the world of cricket, with the sport finding a new stage to showcase its excellence and global appeal.