Cricket Journey Resumes In LA Olympics After 128 Years
Los Angeles Olympics is here with a new twist, as the organisers have decided to add cricket to the next edition, which will be held in 2028. However, only six teams will be in contention for the coveted gold medal. Both men and women’s teams will be featured in the tournament, and the game will be played in T20I format.
Apart from cricket, four other new sports are also being introduced at the upcoming Olympics. The other sports are baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse, and squash. On the date close to the games, the cricket venues as well as the schedules will be made public.
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90 player quotas have been allocated for each gender, allowing each team to name a 15-member squad.
The qualification process is yet to be announced by the organizers. Being the host country, USA would likely earn a spot. Under the International Cricket Council (ICC), there are 12 full member nations and another 90-plus countries playing as T20 Associate Members.
Cricket was earlier played at the 1900 Summer Olympics. However, only two competitors were present at the event, in which Great Britain defeated France. Originally, the game was scheduled to be played at the inaugural Olympics in Athens, but it was later cancelled due to lack of entries.
Similarly, in 1900, the French side had a mixed team including English expatriates. Both the teams played a two-day match of two innings with a 12-a-side, Great Britain clinched victory by 158 runs.
Cricket was also set to be held in the 1904 Olympics as well, however, it was cancelled due to lack of entries.
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Virat Kohli, former Indian skipper, recently shared his feelings on the inclusion of cricket in the Olympics. “Speaking recently, Virat Kohli said, ‘I think it’s a great thing. And to be the Olympic champions will be an absolutely magnificent feeling. First of its kind and I’m sure we’ll be somewhere close to that medal. It’s a great opportunity for some of our guys,’” he said.
