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Cricket is all set to return to the Olympic fold at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, and fans worldwide are buzzing with excitement. But there’s a twist — only six teams will get a shot at Olympic gold, making qualification fiercely competitive.
The matches will be played in the T20 format, featuring both men’s and women’s competitions. Each event will have six teams, and every squad will include 15 players, aligning with the 90-athlete quota per gender set by the organizers.
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Who’s In and Who’s Out?
With USA potentially gaining automatic qualification as hosts, just five spots remain for other nations in each category. That means out of the 94 associate members and 12 full members of the ICC, only the best of the best will make it.
India’s cricketing future at LA28 looks secure for now. The Suryakumar Yadav-led men’s team currently tops the ICC T20I rankings, while Harmanpreet Kaur’s women’s side is ranked third, just behind Australia and England.
But it’s not good news for everyone. Pakistan’s chances are uncertain, with their men’s and women’s teams languishing at 7th and 8th in the ICC rankings, respectively. With qualification spots limited and no confirmed pathway yet announced, their participation hangs in the balance.
IOC’s Big Play for India
Cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics was part of a broader strategy by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to tap into South Asian markets and boost global viewership. Along with cricket, flag football, squash, baseball/softball, and lacrosse (sixes) were added to LA28’s sporting roster.
Interestingly, there’s a growing possibility that the cricket tournament won’t even be played in Los Angeles. Reports suggest it may be moved to New York, largely to suit the Indian audience, given the time zone advantage.
Casey Wasserman, LA 2028 chairman, confirmed that organizers are considering venue adjustments to cater to Indian viewers. With India 9.5 hours ahead of New York and 12.5 hours ahead of LA, this move could ensure primetime broadcast slots in one of cricket’s biggest markets.
This would follow the precedent set by New York’s hosting of the 2024 T20 World Cup, which utilized a temporary stadium in Nassau County.
What’s Next?
The exact qualification format, venues, and match schedule for cricket at the LA 2028 Olympics are yet to be finalized. However, with stakes so high and spots so limited, nations will be laser-focused on climbing the T20I rankings and staking their claim for a place at sport’s biggest stage.
Will we see a historic India-Pakistan clash at the Olympics? Will cricket finally break into the mainstream in the USA? The road to LA28 has begun — and it’s going to be one of cricket’s most fascinating journeys.
