Cricket is all set to make one of its most anticipated comebacks in global sporting history at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. After a gap of 128 years since its last appearance in 1900, the sport will once again feature on the Olympic stage, marking a major milestone for players and fans across the world.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has approved cricket as one of five additional sports for the LA 2028 Games, alongside baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes), and squash. The format will feature six teams each in both men’s and women’s categories, making the competition short, intense, and highly competitive.
For a cricket-loving nation like India, this inclusion brings a golden opportunity. With two ODI World Cup titles and three T20 World Cup triumphs already in its cabinet, India will enter the Olympic arena with strong expectations and even stronger ambitions. The idea of an Olympic gold medal in cricket has already begun to spark excitement among fans and experts alike.
Why Virat Kohli should play in LA28 Olympics? Explains S Sreesanth
Former India pacer S Sreesanth has added a fresh twist to the Olympic discussion by strongly backing the inclusion of senior stars for the historic event. Speaking on a YouTube channel appearance, he expressed that India should not miss the chance to include experienced match-winners when the stakes are so high.
Sreesanth specifically highlighted the importance of having a balanced squad and named Virat Kohli as a must-have player for the LA 2028 Olympics. He believes Kohli’s presence would not only bring stability but also inspire the younger generation playing alongside him. According to him, pairing experienced players with emerging talent could be the key strategy for India’s success. He even suggested a combination of seasoned professionals and young prospects, emphasizing that such a mix could create the perfect Olympic squad dynamic.
Sreesanth also praised Kohli’s fitness and competitive mindset, stating that age should not be a barrier if performance levels remain elite. His remarks have already triggered debates among fans, especially since Kohli had earlier stepped away from T20 internationals after India’s 2024 World Cup triumph.
“You are talking about Olympic gold, I request that Virat plays in the team. It will be a mix of senior and junior. Sooryavanshi with Virat. That will be amazing. The selectors should keep Virat Kohli in T20s because look at his fitness. This might be controversial, but I would request the selectors, ‘Please put Virat in the Olympics’,” Sreesanth said in a video on the YouTube channel, Sports With Ravishh.
High expectations as India eyes Olympic glory
With cricket entering the Olympics under the guidance of the International Olympic Committee, pressure and expectations on teams like India will be immense. The tournament format will be fast-paced, meaning every match could decide medal chances.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India is expected to face tough selection decisions in the coming years as it builds a squad capable of handling both experience and youth under high-pressure Olympic conditions.
For India, the challenge will not just be about assembling talent, but also about creating the right combination for a short-format global event where margins of error are minimal. With fans already dreaming of an Olympic gold, discussions around players like Kohli are likely to intensify as 2028 approaches.
