Los Angeles Olympics social handle uses retired T20I player Virat Kohli's photo in huge update confirming ground for cricket's historic return

Los Angeles Olympics 2028 organising committee on April 15 announced Fairgrounds in Pomona, South California as host for the six-team cricket event. To mark cricket's return to the Olympics after a huge gap of 128 years, they used Virat Kohli's photo. Kohli won't feature in LA Olympics 2028 as he retired from the format on the international level following India's T20 World Cup 2024 triumph in Barbados.

Kohli is the most followed cricketer on social media platforms. The 36-year-old is a major crowd-puller. While he has retired from the format, he may be invited as cricket makes return to the sporting event after nearly 13 decades.

"I don't know, maybe if we are playing for the gold medal, I just might sneak in for one game, get a medal, and come back home," Kohli said at an event when asked about whether he would consider taking a U-turn on T20I retirement to play in the Olympics.

"I think it's a great thing. And to be the Olympic champions will be an absolutely magnificent feeling. First of its kind and I'm sure we'll be somewhere close to that medal. It’s a great opportunity for some of our guys."

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Kohli credited the Indian Premier League (IPL) for cricket's return to the Olympics.

"I think that IPL has definitely played a massive role in that as well. It has brought cricket to a stage where it is part of the Olympics. It's a great opportunity for some of our guys. To be an Olympic champion would be a magnificent feeling, the first of its kind,” the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter added.

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ICC Chairman Jay Shah on ground announcement

“We welcome the announcement of the venue for cricket at Los Angeles 2028 as it is a significant step towards the preparation for our sport’s return to the Olympics," ICC Chair Jay Shah said.

“Although cricket is a hugely popular sport, it will be a fantastic opportunity to expand traditional boundaries when it features in the Olympics in the fast-paced, exciting T20 format that should appeal to new audiences.

“On behalf of the ICC, I want to express my gratitude to LA28 and the International Olympic Committee for their support and look forward to collaborating with them and ICC Members in preparing for LA28 and making cricket a huge success there.”

The schedule of the six-team tournament for both men's and women's team will be announced closer to the LA Olympics 2028. Each team will be allowed to pick a squad of maximum 15 players.