Cricket's Return to Olympics in T10 Format

Ritesh Patel, owner of the Cape Town SAMP Army franchise, believes the T10 format is ideal for cricket's return to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after 128 years. He highlights its benefits: shorter duration, high entertainment, and promoting Zimbabwean talent internationally.

Ritesh Patel, owner of the Cape Town SAMP Army franchise in the Zim Afro T10 competition, strongly supports the 10-over format for cricket's return to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, set to make its comeback after 128 years. Cricket last featured in the Games in 1900.

Among five additional sports proposed by the LA28 Organising Committee, including baseball-softball, flag football, lacrosse, and squash, cricket's inclusion was officially confirmed at the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai, October 2023. 'T10 is perfectly fit for the Olympics,' Ritesh told ANI, noting the format's 80-90 minute game length.

Discussing Zim Afro T10's benefits, he emphasized how it exposes Zimbabwean talent to international superstars, enhancing the nation's cricket profile. The format's brevity ensures constant action, sparking interest among spectators. Ritesh revealed his ideal picks for his franchise, including stars like Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Moeen Ali, Jos Buttler, and Anrich Nortje, naming Moeen as captain.

The Zim Afro T10 grand finale is set for September 29 in Harare, with all matches at Harare Sports Club. As the first African T10 league played under floodlights, it aims to bolster its global presence, following successful seasons in Abu Dhabi, the US, Sri Lanka, and now Zimbabwe.

(With inputs from agencies.)