Cricket Returns to the Olympics after 128 Years with ICC’s 2028 Los Angeles Games Proposal Approved – In a historic move, cricket is set to make a comeback at the Olympics after an absence of 128 years, thanks to the approval of the ICC’s proposal for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Cricket’s Olympic History – Cricket was a part of the Olympics once, featuring two men’s teams, which led to a British gold medal win against France.
ICC’s Qualification Proposal – The ICC’s proposal outlines that only the top six ranked teams will have the opportunity to participate in the Olympics. These teams will need to maintain their ranking for qualification, with the ICC setting the cutoff time for rankings.
Chances for India and Uncertainty for Pakistan – India’s men’s and women’s teams stand in good stead based on the current T20 standings. However, Pakistan’s women’s team faces uncertainty.
Current Men’s Rankings – India leads the way in the men’s rankings, followed by England, New Zealand, Pakistan, Australia, and South Africa. Despite their T20 World Cup victories, the West Indies currently ranks seventh.
Current Women’s T20 Rankings – In the women’s T20 rankings, the top five teams are Australia, England, New Zealand, India, and South Africa, with the West Indies in sixth place and Pakistan in eighth.
Final Eligibility Decision in 2025 – The final decision on eligibility criteria, as stated by IOC sports director Kit McKennon, will be made in 2025. Considerations include the Olympics being hosted in the United States, which is an ICC Associate Member, with the U.S. men’s team currently ranked 22nd.
