Cricket has gained popularity in the majority of the countries such as India, England, and even Australia. The cricket fan base is still growing strong, making more people watch every year. Thus, Critics in cricket are asking why cricket is not in Olympics.
They want to see their favorite game played in the biggest tournament in the world. They also want to see different teams from different countries participating in the game that previously didn`t take part.
Reasons behind why cricket is not in Olympics
Even though cricket is among one of the most famous games played globally by a huge population, it still is not a game of global level. This sport is famous in countries like the UK, India, England, and Africa. However, the game is still not watched or played by several parts of the world.
Most people are unaware of this, but a single cricket match was played in the Olympics over 100 years ago. However, the game was not continued further. In the meeting of the Olympics committee in 1894, it was planned to let cricket in the for the next 1896 Olympics. Unfortunately, things didn`t go according to the plan due to insufficient team numbers showing up; the event had to be canceled.
The event made it back to the Olympics with four teams participating, but from which, the Netherlands and Belgium withdrew at the moment. However, a single match in 1900 was still played between France and Great Britain. Great Britain won the match with a huge leap of 158 runs.
- Government playing a part
Cricket is played in several countries nowadays. To make the game fair and the quality of the players to be best and optimum, the ICC has stated that governments of the countries should not allow interference with the teaming of players. Even though cricket teams now are selected by people not related to the government. Once the game makes it to the Olympics, governments of the country will be taking over, forming a team with the players of their own choice. - Time for the game to be held
Previously when a single match was conducted in the Olympics during 1900, the match was conducted in an ODI format with 100 overs. The duration of the single match will last up to about eight hours which will make the game quite long as there will be several other teams participating. This will disturb the schedule of the Olympics’ other events. However, the introduction of the t20 in the world of cricket might bring a change. - Ground for the event
Playing cricket is more special than other games as no other game can be held there. This will make the need for a much wider space for the event, making the event’s organization much harder than earlier. There would be a need for several grounds for the cricket to be held and other Olympic games. - Countries not involved in playing cricket
Most countries that host the Olympics now are non-cricket playing and thus do not want to include cricket in the game. However, there is still a slim chance that either a non-participant country would hold cricket or a cricket-playing country host the Olympics. Thus the country will make the game part of the Olympics. - Crowded cricket schedule
The cricket calendar is already much more crowded than it should be, like countries that play cricket have already scheduled matches for their teams in the entire year in advance. ICC or the International Cricket Council has already made plans for their upcoming year filled with matches and world cups for the cricket-playing countries.
These matches are such as 50 overworld cups, T20 or 20 overworld cups, and Test championships for the world and Champions trophy are to be held as well. Unfortunately, these matches already barely fit in the year, and thus it is very difficult to fit in any more matches or events.
Efforts by cricket playing nations
Among the nations that play cricket, the most are generally not willing to take any steps to let cricket into the Olympics due to some of their unknown reasons. The cricket boards of these countries, such as BCCI of India, ECB for England, and Whales, along with Cricket Australia, do not want to show any efforts to letting cricket in the Olympics.
Thus, if the countries playing cricket will not take any step or show any signs of interest, it will be nearly impossible for the game to be included in the Olympics.