Phenomenal to have cricket in the Olympics: Rahul Dravid

Former India head coach Rahul Dravid believes that cricket's inclusion in the Los Angeles Olympics is phenomenal. The T20 World Cup was recently held in the US, and Dravid is impressed with the country's huge passion for the game. India, who won the title, played all their group-stage games in the US before moving on to the Caribbean leg of the tournament.

"We know there is an incredible audience for cricket in the USA. We know that just from the number of people who travel from USA to other World Cup events. There is a huge passion for the game in the USA. Just growing the game and having more people play the game was phenomenal," Dravid said.

"It always felt like cricket should be a part of this [Olympics]. It is truly a great game. It is followed by so many people around the world. It is fantastic for someone like me who is now only a fan. It is truly phenomenal."

Cricket is one of five new sport added to the Olympic games in 2028 other than baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse, and squash, following the International Olympic Committee meeting in Mumbai last year. Cricket will be played in the T20 format, featuring six teams from the men and women contingent.

Recalling his earliest memory of watching the Olympics, Dravid said, "If you love sport as I have, you grow up with the Olympics.

"My earliest memories are of Carl Lewis winning at the Olympics and television coming to India. We used to be glued to the television sets to watch these great athletes perform and play. You always wanted to be a part of a great event. You have great events in cricket, but they are individual events. To be in this kind of environment, energy, and vibe is a dream come true for any sportsman."

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