Ricky Ponting excited as cricket returns after 128 years at 2028 LA Olympics

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has expressed his enthusiasm about cricket's return to the Olympic Games, with the sport set to feature in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. 

This marks cricket's first appearance in the Games since 1900, when Great Britain triumphed over France by 158 runs to secure the gold medal.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially confirmed cricket's inclusion during the 141st IOC Session held in Mumbai in October 2023. 

Reflecting on this historic decision, Ponting stated, “It can only be a positive thing for our game. I've sat on various committees over the last 15 or 20 years and it's always been on the top of almost every agenda – how do we get the game back into the Olympics? And finally, it's there.”

The former legend is hopeful that the next four years will see cricket's popularity in the US rise, particularly with the support of Major League Cricket (MLC). 

“It's only four years away. Once again, in the US by that stage, hopefully, with MLC (Major League Cricket), another four years down the track hopefully growing. Who knows, there might even be more teams in the MLC by then. I think it also gives cricket a chance to break into the grassroots level in the US. But the thing about the Olympic Games, I mean, it's not the host nation. It's about the audience that it opens up,” he said.

He added that the Olympic platform will introduce cricket to a broader audience. 

“The Olympic Games being viewed by so many people all around the world, it just opens up completely different audiences to our game that's seemingly growing on a daily basis anyway. It can only be a real positive thing for the game,” he concluded.

Cricket's recent showcase during the T20 World Cup in the USA, including the thrilling India vs Pakistan match, demonstrated the sport's potential to captivate American audiences. 

With the T20 format set for the LA Olympics, cricket's inclusion in 2028 promises to be a significant milestone for the sport's global expansion.