Courtesy: CWI/ICC/LA 2028

Courtesy: CWI/ICC/LA 2028

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to provide a fair and transparent pathway to allow one of the Caribbean's nations to represent the region at the Los Angeles (LA) Olympics in 2028. With the inclusion of cricket in the LA Olympics 2028, the issue has emerged as the Caribbean island countries come together to play cricket as one unit as the West Indies. While in the Olympics, only sovereign nations are allowed to compete. At the Los Angeles Olympics, six teams will be contesting in the men’s and women’s T20I categories and the Caribbean region is expecting ICC to permit one team of its sovereign nations to take part at the colossal event.

Talking about the matter, CWI president Kishore Swallow said that the return of the gentlemen's game to Olympics shouldn’t deprive young Caribbean cricketers from representing their nations at the marquee competition. He remarked, "The Caribbean has always punched above its weight at the Olympics, inspiring the world with our athletic brilliance. Cricket’s return to the Games in 2028 must not exclude our young cricketers from the same dream that has inspired our athletes."

Kishore also added, "The Olympic Charter emphasises fairness, transparency and universality. We are simply asking that these principles be upheld, not just in spirit, but in structure. West Indies cricket must have a pathway and fully deserves an opportunity to compete."

West Indies' men and women teams are ranked fifth and sixth currently in ICC T20I rankings

West Indies’ men are holding the fifth spot in the ICC T20I rankings, while the women’s team are in sixth place. If the teams advance to LA Olympics 2028 on the basis of rankings, both Caribbean sides should make it to the tournament.

Talking about West Indies’ upcoming assignment, they will be seen in action again after five months. The Caribbean side will tour England for six white-ball matches, with three One-Day internationals (ODI) and three T20 Internationals (T20I) to be played from May 29 to June 10. Under Shai Hope, the Windies team will look to give a tough time to the English side, who didn’t look decent in their last few limited-over series.