Being an Olympic champion will be magnificent: Kohli

BENGALURU: Ace batter Virat Kohli was thrilled by the inclusion of cricket in Los Angeles Olympics 2028, and said the Indian Premier League has played a huge role in giving the sport a place in the global sporting extravaganza.

Cricket will return to the hallowed arena of Olympics for the first time since the 1900 Games in Paris.

“To be Olympic champion would be an absolutely magnificent feeling. The IPL has definitely played a big role in that as well. Now, it has gotten us to a stage where it’s part of the Olympics. It’s a great opportunity for some of our guys,” Kohli said in the RCB Innovation Lab talk show here on Saturday, moderated by former England cricketer Isa Guha.

“The athletes will be able to taste it. First of its kind. And I’m sure we’ll be somewhere close to that medal. Both men and women play side by side as well,” he added.

By 2028, it is unlikely that Kohli, by then around 40, would be playing the game but he gave a thought of playing in the Olympics, but only in jest.

“For the Olympics, I don’t know, maybe, if we are playing for the gold medal. I just might sneak in for one game, get a medal and come back home. But I think it’s a great thing for the sport, overall,” Kohli said amidst peals of laughter.

Kohli also said the Women’s Premier League has brought in a remarkable transformation in the women’s cricket landscape in the country.

“Oh yeah, the perception has changed massively. I think all the other sports have had individuals coming up and doing amazing things.

“And they’ve been appreciated all over the nation because of their achievements.

“But I think what the Indian women’s cricket team has done over the last few years, they are the ones who were the catalyst to kind of put the attention onto them,” he said.

Kohli said the success of WPL has also increased the standards of women’s cricket in the country.