Ricky Ponting Talks About Cricket in Olympics 2028

The announcement of cricket's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has generated significant excitement and debate within the cricketing community. Both men's and women's T20I formats will be featured, marking a major milestone for the sport. This historic decision has led to a flurry of discussions about its potential long-term effects on cricket's global presence and development. Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has shared his views on this momentous inclusion, underscoring its potential benefits for cricket's future. Ponting noted that the presence of cricket in the 2028 Olympics could be a game-changer for the sport, especially in the United States. He pointed out that American grassroots sports have traditionally been dominated by soccer, baseball, and basketball. The inclusion of cricket in the Olympics offers a unique opportunity for the sport to break into the American sports landscape and establish itself at the grassroots level.

Ponting's comments reflect a broader sentiment within the cricketing world that this Olympic debut could significantly boost the sport's visibility and popularity in a market that has been largely untapped. By gaining exposure on such a prominent global stage, cricket stands to enhance its profile, attract new fans, and develop a stronger foothold in the United States, potentially leading to a new wave of interest and participation in the sport.

"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. It's only four years away. I think it also gives cricket a chance to break into the grassroots level in the US," former Australia captain Ricky Ponting said on The ICC Review.

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, a three-time World Cup winner, elaborated on the significant advantages of cricket's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He highlighted that one of the main benefits would be the expansion of cricket's target audience. By featuring both men's and women's T20I formats in the Olympics, the sport is set to reach new and diverse audiences that were previously beyond its traditional fan base.

Ponting emphasized that the Olympics present a unique platform for cricket to penetrate markets that have been largely unexplored. The global visibility provided by the Games will allow cricket to engage with audiences who may not have been exposed to the sport before, particularly in regions where other sports like soccer, baseball, and basketball dominate. This exposure can lead to increased interest and participation at various levels, from grassroots to professional, in new territories.

The inclusion of cricket in the Olympics also offers an opportunity to boost its profile and appeal worldwide, potentially fostering a broader fan base and creating new avenues for growth. Ponting’s insights reflect a broader consensus that this historic development could be transformative for cricket, helping it to establish a stronger global presence and attract new enthusiasts. As the sport prepares for this landmark event, the focus will be on leveraging the Olympic stage to broaden its reach and make a lasting impact on the international sports landscape.

"The thing about the Olympic Games, it's not [about] the host nation. It's about the audience that it opens up. 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 (referring to the proliferation of franchise leagues around the globe). It can only be a real positive thing for the game," mentioned Ponting.