“Players will fight tooth and nail to be out there” – Rahul Dravid backs inclusion of cricket in 2028 Olympics

Former Indian head coach Rahul Dravid has backed the inclusion of cricket in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Dravid reckons the players will fight tooth and nail to be there in the Games. Cricket was last hosted at the Paris Olympics in 1900 with hosts France winning the gold medal and Great Britain was the only other team that participated.

The sport will be reintroduced in the next Olympics in the Twenty20 format and India will be one of the biggest favorites. Under Dravid’s tutelage, India recently lifted the T20 World Cup title after beating South Africa by seven runs in the final.

Rahul Dravid said on Cricket at the Olympics: Dawn of new era, “People are going to want to win that gold medal, stand on the podium, and be a part of the Games Village, a great sporting event, and interact with so many athletes. As you get closer, I have no doubt that teams will be preparing and checking out facilities. They will take this seriously, and players will fight tooth and nail to be out there.”

“I’ve already heard a few conversations in the dressing room. People are talking about the 2026 T20 World Cup, there is an ODI World Cup in 2027, and you hear people saying there is the Olympics in 2028.”

Dravid added he will try his best to cheer for Team India in the next Olympics when Cricket will be part of the Games.

“Unfortunately, I won’t be able to play, but I will make every effort to be in LA in some capacity or another. If not anything else, I will try to get a media job,” joked Dravid.

He added, “The dream for me to have a fantastic cricket tournament, hopefully Indian men and women winning the gold which would be nice. But more than that, I wish for everyone here… So many Indian fans would be able to come there to LA and support cricket, and show the rest of the world how big and great a sport cricket is.”

Dravid also congratulated and showered praise on Manu Bhaker, who won India’s first medal at the Paris Olympics 2024, a Bronze in the 10 m Air Pistol.