Cricket Returns to the Olympics at LA28: Reactions from India

Neeraj Chopra, Olympic gold medalist in javelin, shared: “It’s great news for India. We have a strong cricket team and many emerging talents. Cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics will boost its global reach.”
PR Sreejesh, Indian hockey star, emphasized the cultural shift for cricketers: “It’s a new experience for them. From luxurious tours to living in the Olympic Village with world-class athletes—it will be incredible.”
Deepika Padukone, actress and former athlete, expressed her joy: “Sports are in my DNA. Cricket is like a religion in India, and this is very exciting.”
Jhulan Goswami, former Indian women’s cricket pacer, said: “We’ve always focused on World Cups. Now, the Olympics offers a new stage. I hope to see both men’s and women’s teams win medals at LA28.”
Harmanpreet Kaur, Indian women’s team captain, noted: “We were thrilled at the news. The whole team is eager to compete in LA28 and replicate our success from the Asian Games.”
Mithali Raj, former India captain, added: “It’s exciting that cricket is an Olympic sport now. It gives players a chance to aim for gold and helps fans across the globe connect with the game.”

Jay Shah, BCCI Secretary, stated: “We’ve always supported the ICC’s efforts for Olympic inclusion. This marks a huge milestone for cricket.”
Nita M. Ambani, IOC member, highlighted: “This step will increase Olympic engagement in new regions while also promoting cricket’s international growth.”

Format: T20 format will be used for both men’s and women’s events.
Number of Teams: Six teams per gender will compete.
Team Size: Each team will have 15 players; 90 athletes per gender.
Qualification: Details are still pending; the host nation, USA, may qualify automatically.
Significance: Cricket’s return after 128 years is expected to elevate its global popularity.

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