Once Cricket is Added to Olympics, India Will be Participating: BCCI Secretary Jay Shah

The International Cricket Council (ICC)'s proposal to introduce cricket as an Olympic sport in 2028 has been placed before the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Importantly, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)'s reluctance to join the Olympic movement is now a thing of the past.

What BCCI Secretary Said ?

"Once cricket is added in the Olympics, India will be participating," BCCI secretary Jay Shah said. "The BCCI and the ICC are on the same page as far as participation in the Olympics is concerned." The BCCI in its Apex Council meeting in April had given a conditional nod to send a team for the 2028 edition. Moreover, if its autonomy was not distributes and there was no interference from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). The BCCI, IOA and government though are working in sync to add Cricket at Olympics. The Indian cricket board pledged Rs. 10 crore to assist the Tokyo bound Indian contingent's marketing budget. They also announced a cash prize total Rs. 4 crore for the seven medal winners on Saturday.

Read Also : BCCI announces cash for Tokyo Olympics medalists.

The ICC, which has 92 Associate members but only 12 members play Test cricket. This has been slow on the Olympics issue. Many of the top Test nations have in the past have had an insular view of safeguarding their playing window. Moreover, they also have TV rights revenue and resisting cricket's entry into Olympics. Although, now with an agreement amongst most leading cricket boards. Also, it has been in constant talks with IOC and an Olympics committee formed for the purpose.

With a nudge from the government to increase India's medal prospect. BCCI administration has also switched its stance. "The BCCI is more than happy to work together with the government and help increase India's medal chances," a BCCI official said.

Also Read : Tokyo Olympics 2020 : Final Medals Table.

T20 has emerged as the format of choice despite some Associate nations championing for introducing T10. The English cricket board has explored the prospects of taking the Hundred-ball format to the Olympics, riding on its newly launched league. However, ICC is thinking about starting with T20 format.