Virat Kohli retired from T20I cricket last June after India’s T20 World Cup victory in Barbados. However, on Saturday, he hinted at a possible return. He said he might play one last match if India reaches the final at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Notably, cricket will make its Olympic return after 128 years, having last appeared in the 1900 Games.
Kohli’s Popularity Helped Cricket Return to the Olympics
Interestingly, Kohli’s massive social media presence played a crucial role in bringing cricket back to the Olympics. Niccolo Campriani, president of the LA Local Organising Committee (LALOG), emphasized this while explaining the sport’s inclusion.
“We all recognise the critical importance of a strong digital presence in order to keep the games relevant for the youth. And cricket is offering a unique platform to do so. Think [about] my friend here, Virat. He’s the third-most followed athlete in the world on social media with 314 million followers (387 million as of writing across Instagram, Facebook, and X). That’s more than LeBron James, Tom Brady, and Tiger Woods combined. This is the ultimate win-win for LA 28,” Campriani stated.
Kohli Jokes About One Last Match
Since the Los Angeles Olympics will feature the T20 format, Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who retired from T20Is last year, will not be part of the squad. However, Kohli jokingly suggested that he might make a brief comeback if India qualifies for the final.
“If we are playing the gold medal match, I might sneak in for one game.. get a medal and come back home,” he said. He made this remark during a conversation with Isa Guha at the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit. The event took place at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru.
Kohli Excited About Cricket’s Olympic Return
Moreover, Virat Kohli expressed his excitement about cricket’s return to the Olympics. The announcement came in October 2023, confirming that both men’s and women’s T20 tournaments will be part of the event.
“When I heard the news, I was happy. The T20 leagues that are played all over the world, including the IPL (Indian Premier League), have played a massive role. It’s a great opportunity. Getting to be Olympic champions would be a great thing. The first of its kind. I am sure we will be somewhere close to the medal,” Kohli said.
As the 2028 Olympics approach, fans eagerly wait to see if Kohli will follow through on his lighthearted promise.
