Paraag Marathe is the USA Cricket board chairman and member of ICC Olympic Working Group.
As the International Cricket Council (ICC) set to push for cricket’s inclusion in Olympics with the Los Angeles edition in 2028, the ICC Olympic Working Group has picked the T20 format of the game as the preferred format for the global event, but the doors are open to other formats as well.
Paraag Marathe, the USA Cricket board chairman and a member of the ICC Olympic Working Group, has recently revealed that the ICC prefers the T20 format for the Olympics, given the immense success and popularity of the Indian Premier League (IPL), but they will consider any format which would ensure cricket’s inclusion in the Los Angeles Olympics Games in 2028.
The recent success of The Hundred in England has also given another alternative to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for the Olympics 2028.
Marathe told the Sport Unlocked podcast: “I am hopeful that it is very likely. For the first time ever 106 member nations of the ICC are supportive of getting cricket into the Olympics.”
He further explained, “I think the T20 format is one that is easily digestible and works. It certainly works from a timing perspective. It fits the format of American sports, roughly three hours. It's an understood format because of the success of the IPL...but of course, we will work with the IOC and if there is a different format they prefer then we are open to it.”
Marathe concluded, “The most important thing for us is to get cricket in the Games. We do go in thinking that T20 is probably the best. I just know that for the first time we have a united effort of wanting to be in the Olympics and it’s long overdue in my opinion.”
(With Reuters Inputs)