Cricket in Olympics to become reality? ICC ramps up demand despite past BCCI opposition

Cricket fans waiting to see game being played at Olympics have been handed a boost, with latest reports suggesting that ICC is looking into possibility once again. body has recently asked all its members to evaluate potential financial benefits of including sport in Olympics. While same exercise has been undertaken in past, latest efforts me by ICC hint that body is ramping up its efforts to make Cricket in Olympics a reality.

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ICC asks for reports on viability of Cricket in Olympics

Media reports revealed that a questionnaire has been sent by council to all ICC members which ask m to quantify potential financial support each member can get from government bodies and Olympics organisations if Cricket in Olympics becomes a reality. tably, ICC’s communication also specifically asks members to consider scenario if sport is concluded on a permanent or a one-off basis. ICC is yet to agree on future tours programme beyond 2023, which is also year when Cricket World Cup 2023 is scheduled to take place in India. form in question needs to be returned by vember 3, with discussions set to take place on same at next ICC board meetings later in month.

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BCCI and ors need to be convinced for Cricket in Olympics option

While ICC has been lobbying to include game in Olympics in a bid to improve popularity of sport, option has faced a backlash from bigger cricket playing nations. In 2018, ICC CEO Dave Richardson h mitted that council is looking to include cricket in 2028 Olympics. However, Richardson h n conceded that y would have to convince BCCI that it is a good thing for cricket to be included in Olympics from all aspects.

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A report in ESPNcricinfo discussing possibility of Cricket in Olympics also revealed that India, England and Australia have most to lose if sport makes an appearance at Olympics. In past, bigger nations have argued that inclusion of sport will eat into schedule for bilateral series, thus hampering ir operations. In light of recent developments, it remains to be seen what results of questionnaire reveal. tably, 87% of fans h voted in favour of cricket’s inclusion in Olympics during a survey conducted by ICC in 2018. Till w, sport has me a solitary appearance at 1900 Paris Olympics where Great Britain defeated France by 158 runs.

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Im Credits: ICC website