Los Angeles, 10 April 2025: The wait is over for cricket lovers. After a long gap of 128 years, this popular sport will once again shine on the grand stage of the Olympics. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on Thursday that cricket is being included in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. The special thing is that this time six teams each in the men’s and women’s categories will compete for the gold medal. This Olympic journey of cricket will be in T20 format, which promises to double the excitement for the fans.

A new chapter of century-old memories

The Olympic history of cricket has not been very long. Earlier, it was seen only in the 1900 Paris Olympics, when only one exhibition match was played. At that time, this match between Great Britain and France was considered a part of Olympic history, but after that this game disappeared from the Olympics. Now, more than a century later, cricket’s return is not only historic but also underlines the global popularity of the sport. The IOC’s decision has created a wave of excitement among cricket fans.
The IOC made it clear that a total of 12 teams (6 men and 6 women) will participate in 2028. However, despite the International Cricket Council (ICC) having 12 full member countries, the selection of teams and qualification rules for the Olympics are yet to be announced. Sports analysts believe that the selection of the T20 format is part of a strategy to make the game fast, exciting and attractive to the audience.
Changes in football, place for cricket
Along with the entry of cricket, some other changes were also seen in the Olympic Games. The number of men’s football teams has been reduced from 16 to 12, while participation in women’s football has been increased – now 16 teams will participate in it. This balance reflects the thinking of the IOC, which is working towards making the games diverse and inclusive. The return of cricket is being considered an important part of this change, especially for those countries where this sport is worshipped like a religion.

Cricket expert Ravi Mehta says, “The T20 format is perfect for the Olympics. It is short, fast and full of excitement. The six-team tournament will be short but tough, and viewers from all over the world will be eager to watch it.”

India’s Olympic dream

Amidst this return of cricket, a different enthusiasm is also being seen in India. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned India’s preparations to host the 2036 Olympics at the opening ceremony of the National Games in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. He said, “We are making every possible effort to host the 2036 Olympics. This will be a golden opportunity not only for sports, but also for the country’s infrastructure, transportation and tourism.”

PM Modi had also expressed this desire at the IOC meeting held in Mumbai in 2023 and submitted a formal application. However, India is facing tough competition from countries like Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The IOC says the decision to host the 2036 Olympics will not be taken before 2026. But if India gets this opportunity, cricket’s presence in the Olympics will be a big victory for it.

Excitement among fans, hope for the future

Cricket’s return to the Olympics has brought a wave of happiness among fans. A fan wrote on social media, “Cricket in the Olympics after 128 years! It’s like a dream come true. Now we just have to wait for India to win the gold.” Sports historian Anil Sharma believes that this move can make cricket popular even in those countries where it is not played much right now. “The magic of cricket in Los Angeles can also open up markets like America,” he says.

Waiting for 2028

The Los Angeles Olympics is now going to be more exciting than ever. The return of cricket is not only a gift for the fans of this game, but will also increase the global appeal of the Olympics. This six-team tournament promises to be short but tremendous. The question now is who will get the shine of the gold medal? We’ll have to wait until 2028 for the answer, but cricket has already created history before its Olympic journey even begins.