WATCH: Los Angeles sports director compares Virat Kohli's followers with Basketball and golf stars

Cricket, along with some other sports like Squash, Softball, Lacrosse, and Flag Football, was added to the Olympics in 2028, which is set to happen in Los Angeles. Cricket will make a return in the biggest sports event for the first time in 128 years. The last time cricket was played in the Olympics was way back in 1900 in Paris. Almost all the members were in favour of the inclusion of cricket in the games. 

According to the president of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, only two members were against the inclusion of cricket in the games. Niccolo Campriani, the director of LA LOCOG, claimed that T20 cricket would help the spread of cricket in various parts of the world. Campriani felt that cricket has immense growth in the United States of America. 

"We are thrilled to welcome the world's second-most popular sport with an estimated 2.5 billion fans worldwide. Some of you might be wondering why in LA?" said Campriani. The LA LOCOG director further said that the Major Cricket League was a huge success and exceeded all expectations. Campriani further said that the T20 World Cup 2024 would be played in the US along with the West Indies. 

'He's the third-most followed athlete in the world on social media' - Niccolo Campriani

"Well, the commitment to grow cricket in the US is real, and it's already happening with the launch of the very first Major League Cricket season earlier this year, which exceeded all expectations. And the [men's] T20 World Cup in 2024 coming to US and West Indies," added Campriani. He further compared the followers of Virat with the stars of other sports. 

We all recognise the critical importance of a strong digital presence in order to keep the games relevant for the youth. And cricket is offering a unique platform to do so. Think [about] my friend here Virat. He's the third-most followed athlete in the world on social media with 314 million followers. That's more than LeBron James, Tom Brady and Tiger Woods combined. This is the ultimate win-win for LA 28," concluded Campriani.

Watch the video of Campriani's statement here -

LA Sports Director on King Kohli:



Virat Kohli is one of the main reasons behind Cricket's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic. pic.twitter.com/upCYsQsI2a

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 16, 2023