Both Women’s And Men's Teams Could Be Part Of Los Angeles Olympics In 2028?

Indian women cricket team at LA Olympics? The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has given conditional approval to the Indian teams (both men's and women's) to participate in the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. The Apex Council on Friday (April 16) agreed that "if cricket makes it the cut" for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, it will send both the men's and women's teams provided there's no interference from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

The BCCI is yet to reveal more details. Additionally, the women’s national team will also compete at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham next year.

It was also decided at Friday's meeting that the women’s team is expected to be led by Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur as ODI and T20 captains respectively. The cricketers will then fly off to New Zealand for another tour which will be preceded by the Women ODI World Cup.

BCCI’s latest decision to participate in the Olympics could be a huge boost for the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) plans to get a place in the Olympics. Cricket's last appearance was at the Olympics in 1900. Now, the board has given a green signal to send both its teams if cricket is a part of the LA Olympics 2028,” a senior BCCI official told TOI.

"If finally cricket is a part of 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, then both men's and women’s teams will take part. This has been decided in principle,” a senior BCCI official told PTI.

Last year, Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju had said India will be competing for a top-10 finish by the time the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics starts. Our teams will leave no stone unturned, he had added.

Women's IPL and future games:

Very similar to last year, women cricketers will be divided into three teams for the Women's T20 Challenge. The squad will fly to England after the IPL for a one-off Test and three T20Is and ODIs each.

Updates from BCCI’s Apex Council meeting:

• Women’s T20 challenge to be a 3-team event; to be held during the IPL playoffs

India team schedule

• #ENGvIND in England (June-July)
• #AUSvIND in Australia (Sept-Oct)
• #INDvWI in India (Nov)
• #NZvIND in New Zealand (Jan-Feb)

— Women's CricZone (@WomensCricZone) April 16, 2021

The team will next be touring to Australia for a white ball series and then will play another series in New Zealand. Also, a full-fledged women's domestic season (50 over and T20) is on the cards.

The official said that the board is now focusing more on growing the women’s game. If more exposure to bigger events help the game grow in the country, Birmingham CWG will be the first step towards it, he added.

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