In a historic move, the organizing committee for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics announced on April 15 that cricket will officially return to the Olympic Games after a 128-year hiatus. The six-team T20 tournament will be hosted at the Fairgrounds in Pomona, South California, marking a significant step in globalizing the sport.
To commemorate cricket’s long-awaited return to the Olympic stage, the LA28 organizers chose to highlight Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli, featuring his image prominently in their campaign materials. Although Kohli, 36, retired from T20 internationals following India’s World Cup triumph in 2024, his legacy continues to shape the game’s future.
Kohli, widely regarded as one of cricket’s greatest ambassadors, holds the title of the most-followed cricketer across all social media platforms. His popularity extends far beyond India, making him a major crowd magnet wherever he goes.
While he won’t be a part of the playing squad at LA 2028, Kohli left the door slightly ajar in a recent event when asked if he might reconsider his T20I retirement for one final appearance.
“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 with a grin.
He added,
“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.”
LA28 Director Credits Kohli’s Global Appeal
Niccolo Campriani, Director of Sports for the LA28 Olympics and a former Olympic champion shooter himself, spoke passionately about cricket's inclusion and why Los Angeles was chosen as the host city.
He specifically credited Kohli’s influence in driving the decision to reintroduce cricket.
“We are thrilled to welcome the world's second most popular sport, with an estimated 2.5 billion fans worldwide. Some of you might be wondering, ‘Why in LA?’ The commitment to grow cricket in the US is real,” Campriani said.
“Take my friend here, Virat (Kohli) – he is the third most followed athlete in the world on social media. That is more than Lebron James, Tom Brady, and Tiger Woods, combined.”
Kohli Acknowledges IPL’s Role in Olympic Inclusion
Speaking on cricket’s global rise, Kohli acknowledged the role of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in accelerating the sport’s mainstream visibility.
“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) star said.
ICC Chairman Welcomes Olympic Venue Confirmation
Jay Shah, Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), also welcomed the announcement and emphasized the magnitude of cricket returning to the Olympic platform.
“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,” 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.”
What’s Next?
The LA 2028 Olympic cricket tournament will feature six teams each in both men’s and women’s competitions. Each team will be allowed a squad of up to 15 players. The official schedule is expected to be revealed closer to the Games.
As cricket makes a historic return to the global stage, the echoes of Kohli’s influence continue to resonate far beyond the boundary ropes—making him a lasting symbol of the sport’s modern revolution.