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Sports
Cricket’s Olympic Return Could Open IOC’s Gateway to India
✍️ The Daily Star
🗓 31 Jul 2026, 12:49 PM
👁 4
The International Olympic Committee’s potential reintroduction of cricket into the Games could serve as a strategic entry point for India into the Olympic movement.
Cricket, a sport with immense popularity in India, has not been part of the Olympic programme for decades. Recent discussions within the International Olympic Committee (IOC) about reintroducing the game could create a new avenue for Indian participation in the Games.
Should cricket return, it would likely be in a format that fits the Olympic schedule, such as a 50‑over or T20 tournament. This would bring a vast fan base from India into the Olympic fold and increase viewership for the event.
The inclusion of cricket could also enhance India’s influence within the IOC. Hosting matches and potentially bidding for future Games would allow India to leverage the sport’s popularity to secure greater representation.
While the decision remains under consideration, stakeholders in India view the reintroduction as a chance to showcase the country’s sporting culture on the world stage.
The IOC’s interest in cricket reflects a broader trend of expanding the Olympic programme to include sports with large global followings, positioning India at the forefront of this shift.
Should cricket return, it would likely be in a format that fits the Olympic schedule, such as a 50‑over or T20 tournament. This would bring a vast fan base from India into the Olympic fold and increase viewership for the event.
The inclusion of cricket could also enhance India’s influence within the IOC. Hosting matches and potentially bidding for future Games would allow India to leverage the sport’s popularity to secure greater representation.
While the decision remains under consideration, stakeholders in India view the reintroduction as a chance to showcase the country’s sporting culture on the world stage.
The IOC’s interest in cricket reflects a broader trend of expanding the Olympic programme to include sports with large global followings, positioning India at the forefront of this shift.