Sports

India Grabs Cricket, King Kohli Captivates World: Fans React As IOC Praises Virat On Global Stage

October 16, 2023
Bharat Times English News

New Delhi: Los Angeles Sports Director Niccolo Campriani praised Indian cricketer Virat Kohli on a global stage, calling him the only reason behind inclusion of cricket in Olympics.

Indian batsman Virat Kohil has hysterical following in real life as well as on internet. Pointing out his popularity, Campriani said, “Virat Kohli has 340 Million followers on social media, Making him the 3rd most followed athlete in the world. Also he surpassing combined numbers of Tiger Woods, LeBron, Tom Brady”.

This comes after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that cricket has been included as a sport in the Olympic games. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has also confirmed the news.

But what does India have to celebrate? Cricket might not be a sport that originated in India but it is surely a game that every Indian must grew up playing. Many keep it as a hobby and some make it a profession. In one such case, we got a legend, Virat Kohli.

From year 2028, cricket will be played in the Olympics. To make the announcement regarding the addition, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) used an image that featured Virat Kohli, representing cricket. During the discussions, organisers mentioned Virat Kohli multiple times to explain why they chose him as a face of the cricket.

Other IOC members also recognised that cricket is a popular sport in India and how Virat Kohli is regarded as the best cricketer there and across the globe.

Speaking on 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, Karl Stoss, the IOC member from Austria and Future Host Commission for the Olympic Winter Games said, “…This is a totally new way for us as well… Four new team sports and one individual for LA 2028…”

“Cricket is very popular in India, and there are many great countries in cricket. For that reason, it is good to bring cricket to the Olympic movement… We are looking for very close cooperation from the cricket association and how this works to bring cricket to other different countries and continents,” he added.

Fans Reaction On Virat Being Choosen As Cricket Face

Soon after the news broke out, internet was bombarded with fans’ reactions who commended the Indian cricket legend for taking India at such heights.

One of the users on X wrote: “Cricket = Virat Kohli  King Kohli The Face of Global Cricket. Official poster by Olympics approving T20 Cricket at Los Angeles 2028. Cricket and 4 other sports includes in Olympics. Congratulations to every cricket fan.”