'Only six or seven teams..': Ponting reveals big detail about cricket at Olympics, wants to mentor

As cricket prepares to make its long-awaited return to the Olympics in 2028 at Los Angeles, Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting has shed light on key aspects of the sport’s inclusion and hinted at his own aspirations to be involved. 

Ponting, who recently stepped down from his coaching role with the Indian Premier League's Delhi Capitals, expressed excitement about the future of cricket on the global stage and the unique challenges that lie ahead.

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Ricky Ponting wants to mentor Australia at LA Olympics

Ponting emphasized the importance of facilities and infrastructure in making cricket a success at the LA Games, while also noting the limited number of teams expected to participate. 

Despite stepping away from coaching, Ponting expressed a keen interest in the possibility of mentoring the Australian cricket team during the Games. Ponting also said that the qualification for Olympics will be hard and not many cricket teams may get the opportunity to participate. 

“Facilities and infrastructure and those things are going to be key and how many teams they actually decide on. I think it's only six or seven teams that they're talking about," he continued.

"So, qualification is going to be at a premium -- how you actually qualify to get into the Olympic Games.

“So all those things to think about, I'm really excited about where the game's headed and the growth of different markets that we're seeing emerge." 

“It'd be a pretty nice job, I reckon, to be a mentor around a cricket team in the Olympic Games, to hang out," speculated Ponting.

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"I was lucky enough to play in the Commonwealth Games (1998), and just to be around the athletes in the villages and stuff was quite a surreal environment to be in for a cricketer.

“So, look, I wouldn't say 'no', but I think there'll be a lot of people putting their hands up to try and be a mentor or a coach for an Aussie team in the Olympic Games.

“It'd be special to be a part of, so who knows? We'll keep my fingers crossed and see what happens,” he said.

(With PTI inputs)