Cricket at Olympics 2028: Everything you MUST know

Cricket is going to return after a long gap of 124 years in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. On 16 October 2023, the inclusion of T20 cricket at Olympics 2028 was announced by the IOC, along with baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes) and squash.

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History of cricket in Olympics

Cricket was first included in the Olympics in 1900, when Paris held its first Olympics. At that time only one men's match was played, which was between the teams of Great Britain and France. Great Britain won this match by 158 runs. Now cricket will once again be included in the Olympic Games to be held in Los Angeles in 2028 and this time the T20 format has been included.

What is the qualification rules for the cricket at Olympics 2028?

The ECB and Cricket Scotland have offered men's and women's teams to join the Great Britain squad for the 2028 Olympic Games. 6 cricket teams, both men's and women's, can participate in the LA28.

It is not yet clear what the qualification rules will be for the cricket competition, but the ICC T20 ranking can be the basis for it. If England qualifies, then like in other Olympics, they will participate in these games as Great Britain. In such a situation, players from Scotland can also be a part of the England cricket team. Because England competes in the Olympic Games under the name of Great Britain and the Great Britain team includes players from England as well as Scotland and Wales.

What will be the Cricket format?

There would be T20 cricket, the most popular format. Because the T20 format features fast-paced, thrilling matches that spectators are likely to gather to see, this move provides the Olympic program with a modern twist. Given that T20 cricket is a format that features both male and female players, it would be a fantastic chance to expand the game’s fan base.

Venues of cricket at Olympics 2028

The cricket venues of the LA28 have not confirmed yet.

Schedule of cricket at Olympics 2028

The schedule for the T20 cricket will be finalised closer to the Games.

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Medal contenders in cricket at LA28

Indian Cricket Team has recently been successful in winning the T20 World Cup 2024 trophy, which was organized in West Indies and America. India is participating in four ICC tournaments between Los Angeles Olympics 2028, which include Champions Trophy 2025, World Test Championship Final 2025, T20 World Cup 2026 and ODI World Cup 2027. Better performance is expected from Team India in this. 

Apart from India, Australia, England, New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Africa will be the biggest contenders in LA28.