Cricket's Inclusion In Olympics 2028 Attributed To Virat Kohli's Global Popularity

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• Oct 18, 2023 | Dhupali Das

Virat Kohli, the celebrated Indian cricketer renowned for his prowess with the bat and charismatic presence on and off the field, has emerged as a...

Digital Desk: Virat Kohli, the celebrated Indian cricketer renowned for his prowess with the bat and charismatic presence on and off the field, has emerged as a driving force behind the inclusion of cricket in the Los Angeles Olympics 2028. Kohli's immense global fan following, which has catapulted him to become one of the most followed athletes on social media, was cited as a pivotal factor in the decision to introduce cricket to the Olympic stage.

Niccolo Campriani, the president of the LA Local Organising Committee (LALOG), emphasized Kohli's popularity in a statement made during the International Olympics Committee meeting held in Mumbai. Campriani pointed out that the strong digital presence of athletes is vital to engage with the youth, and cricket, thanks to icons like Kohli, offers an unparalleled platform to do so.

Campriani highlighted Kohli's staggering social media following, stating, "Think [about] my friend here, Virat. He's the third-most-followed athlete in the world on social media, with 314 million followers. That's more than LeBron James, Tom Brady, and Tiger Woods combined. This is the ultimate win-win for LA 28."

The inclusion of cricket in the Olympics is expected to be mutually beneficial. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognizes the potential to expand the reach of cricket beyond its traditional strongholds, while the Olympic movement stands to gain access to previously untapped communities of athletes and fans.

Virat Kohli's popularity knows no boundaries, with cricket enthusiasts worldwide rallying behind the 34-year-old cricketer. He boasts over 51 million followers on Facebook, 58.3 million on 'X' (formerly Twitter), and a staggering 260 million followers on Instagram. Kohli's influence across these three social media platforms is unmatched by any other Indian athlete.

As cricket finds its place among the sports in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, it is evident that Virat Kohli's global appeal and immense fan following have been pivotal in bringing this exciting development to fruition. Cricket fans around the world eagerly anticipate witnessing the sport's Olympic debut and the opportunity for athletes to compete on a global stage.