Asian Games | For cricket to grow, it has to be played everywhere: Sunil Gavaskar

admin — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 18:32:00 +0000

X-factor: Gavaskar wants India to be patient with Sooryavanshi.
| Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO

In an unrelenting cricket calendar where monotony can set in over run-of-the-mill bilateral assignments, a multi-disciplinary event like the Asian Games holds the promise of a novel offering.

The competition provides a unique opportunity for India’s high-profile cricketers to mingle with athletes from other sports whilst attempting to win gold for the nation. Shreyas Iyer & Co. will be looking to do just that when they travel to Japan for the continental spectacle’s T20 tournament from September 24 to October 3.

This will be the Indian cricket team’s second appearance at the Asian Games, having pocketed gold in Hangzhou, China, in 2023.

This will be the Indian cricket team’s second appearance at the Asian Games, having pocketed gold in Hangzhou, China, in 2023.
| Photo Credit:
PTI

Sunil Gavaskar hopes the Men in Blue savour the experience of a multi-sport carnival. “You get to know and talk to athletes from other sports, and get to know what makes them tick. It will be a wonderful experience,” he said during a virtual media interaction.

Though reports have emerged of the arrangements in Japan for the cricketers not being up to scratch, Gavaskar emphasised that such obstacles shouldn’t dissuade the game’s stakeholders from exploring newer markets.

“If cricket has to become a global sport, it has to be played in different parts of the world. At the Olympics, for example, you could play in a city where cricket isn’t generally played. You might not always get the best facilities,” the 77-year-old opined. “For the game to grow, I would encourage them to play wherever possible.”

If cricket is to pique the curiosity of spectators at the Asian Games, the boy wonder that is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will have to show up. The spunky 15-year-old, who cracked two half-centuries against Zimbabwe after a baptism by fire against England, will hope to continue his upward flight.

“Look in T20 cricket, you can’t expect consistency. Vaibhav is the kind of batter who can win you three or four out of 10 games. But he’s somebody with whom we need to have patience,” assessed Gavaskar.

(Watch cricket at Asian Games 2026 on Sony Sports and Sony LIV from September 17).

Published – September 08, 2026 12:24 am IST

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PM Modi On Cricket’s Inclusion In 2028 Olympics

admin — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 15:27:57 +0000

Cricket will be played in the T20 format in 2028 LA Olympics.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that as a cricket loving nation, India specially welcomes the inclusion of cricket in the Los Angeles Olympics, reflecting the rising global popularity of this “wonderful sport”.

Cricket was on Monday formally included in the programme for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, delivering a massive boost to the game’s global ambitions.

Besides cricket, which will be played in the T20 format, the other sports approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) during its 141st session, were squash, baseball/softball, lacrosse and flag football.

In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi said, “Absolutely delighted that baseball-softball, cricket, flag football, lacrosse and squash will feature in @LA28. This is great news for sportspersons.”

Absolutely delighted that baseball-softball, cricket, flag football, lacrosse and squash will feature in @LA28. This is great news for sportspersons. As a cricket loving nation, we specially welcome inclusion of cricket, reflecting the rising global popularity of this wonderful… https://t.co/tnwrzqVPfL

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 16, 2023

“As a cricket-loving nation, we specially welcome inclusion of cricket, reflecting the rising global popularity of this wonderful sport,” the Prime Minister said.

IOC president Thomas Bach made the announcement of cricket’s inclusion along with other sports after the recommendation of the Executive Board was put to vote through a raise of hands.

The proposal to include the five sports recommended by the LA28 Organising Committee was opposed by only two of the 99 IOC members.

Italy’s Olympic champion shooter and sports director at LA28, Niccolo Campriani, referred to Indian superstar Virat Kohli’s popularity while making the pitch to the IOC in Mumbai.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Cricket in olympics – Artifex.News

Asian Games | For cricket to grow, it has to be played everywhere: Sunil Gavaskar

PM Modi On Cricket’s Inclusion In 2028 Olympics