To celebrate the inclusion of cricket in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic programme, India briefly emerged from the grip of World Cup fever to celebrate the announcement and exchange congratulatory messages. Credit for the sport’s return after the 1900 Games was widely given, and recurring names included obvious players, until Niccolo Campriani, the organization’s sporting director Los Angeles 2028 Organizing Committeestruck a chord in India by highlighting Virat Kohli.
Among the current icons of cricket, Virat is undoubtedly the name most synonymous with cricket, even in regions where cricket is not played at all or has started to make its presence felt, including the hosts of the Olympic Games. 2028 – – in the United States. Placing Virat’s popularity in a numerical framework in the context of the influence he has on the global sporting community, Campriani, a three-time Olympic gold medalist in shooting, credited the batting legend’s popularity as one key factors that made cricket an Olympic sport. exercise again.
“We all recognize the crucial importance of a strong digital presence so that the Games remain relevant for young people… My friend Virat, he is the third most followed athlete in the world on social media with 340 million followers. It’s more than LeBron James (NBA legend), Tom Brady (American football icon) and Tiger Woods (golf legend) together,” Campriani said during his speech.
Campriani’s admission about Virat’s influence in the IOC’s decision has made headlines and will soon turn to obvious discussions, including whether Virat will still play when the Los Angeles 2028 Games will arrive.
A subject still too early to discuss, especially since Virat has defied notions of fitness at 34 and is at the top of his game, but it is also true that five years is a long time and there are food for thought for an elite professional. sportsman approaching forty: family life, supporting body, fitness, burn-out, mental health, etc.
So it’s best to leave it to time and Virat himself, but the subject will become a talking point over these five years.
Speaking to TimesofIndia.com, former Indian cricketer and member of the 1983 World Cup winning team Madan Lal remarked, “Fitness is the main thing on the field. It depends from individual to individual. Fitness is something you have to take care of yourself, like Virat does. I think It sets an example.”
Madan Lal has therefore left it to Virat to decide whether his body is still capable of playing at least T20 cricket, which will be the format in LA 2028.
“When you get older, you have to try harder (to stay fit). It’s about being consistent. If you ask me about him as a player, it depends on his fitness level and “If he is fit and his mind is thinking about playing and that’s the game he will play in (at the 2028 Olympics) because he has the ability to play.” said the former Indian all-rounder.
“The thing is, you have to play T20 format (in the Olympics). If there are a lot of gaps and if you don’t play T20 format regularly for India, then the situation could become difficult. “
T20s require a batter to face fewer balls and stay on the field for less time than ODIs and Tests. But the turnaround time between two matches can be minimal in the case of T20s, requiring faster recovery.
Sachin Tendulkar continued until the age of 40, and Kirti Azad was quick to mention this when approached by Timesofindia.com to share his thoughts, highlighting the fact that it is relatively easier for batters to extend their playing careers than it is for bowlers.
“It is difficult for bowlers to continue playing (at an older age). Sachin continued to bowl till the age of 40, and with all due respect to Sachin’s fitness, I thinks Virat is way ahead when it comes to fitness,” Kirti said. , who was Madan Lal’s teammate during the 1983 World Cup triumph.
“I hope he plays (the 2028 Olympics) with the kind of fitness he has. Performance is also very important. Besides fitness, if you perform well, you are in the side. If you’re not performing well, then you might be as fit as you can be, but you might not get selected.
On the world stage, Cristiano Ronaldo and LeBron James are known for setting fitness metrics. At 38 years old, Ronaldo and James continue to maintain their status as difference makers.
Breaking: T20 cricket to be part of Los Angeles 2028 Olympics as IOC approves proposal
Next year, Ronaldo will represent Portugal at Euro 2024, while James will ply his trade for the US men’s national basketball team at the Paris Olympics. If they could carry their country’s crest at major events at 39, Kohli, given injuries not hampering his progress, is well ahead in the queue to play cricket at the Olympics .
