Cricket’s Olympic Comeback and Kohli’s Stance

Cricket will mark its return to the Olympics after a 128-year hiatus at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, featuring the fast-paced T20 format. While the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has yet to finalize qualification criteria, the inclusion aims to leverage cricket’s massive following, particularly in India.

Kohli’s Definitive Retirement Decision

Virat Kohli, India’s legendary batter, firmly ruled out reversing his T20 international retirement for the Olympics. The 36-year-old, who retired after India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, stated at a Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) event:

"No, I won’t be back for LA 2028—though if it’s the gold medal match, maybe I’ll play one game, grab the medal, and leave!"

A Stellar T20 Career in Numbers

Kohli’s 125-match T20I career for India boasts 4,188 runs (average 48.69), including 1 century and 38 fifties. While he continues to dazzle in the Indian Premier League (IPL), his international T20 legacy remains sealed.

Why Cricket’s Olympic Debut Matters

• Global Expansion: The IOC sees cricket as a gateway to engage 1.4 billion Indian fans.
• Format: T20’s brevity aligns with Olympic scheduling constraints.
• Commercial Potential: Sponsors and broadcasters anticipate unprecedented viewership.

What’s Next for Kohli?

Fans can still catch Kohli in action for RCB in the IPL, where he remains a pivotal player. Meanwhile, India’s next-gen stars like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal are likely to lead the Olympic charge.

Related Reads:

• How T20 Cricket Won Over the Olympics
• India’s Road to LA 2028: Key Players to Watch