Cricket's inclusion in Olympics gives a clear path to any newcomer, says USA cricket board chairman Venu Pisike

United States of America displayed an impressive performance in the T20 World Cup 2024, defeating Pakistan and giving a tough fight to India. It hosted an ICC event for the first time and the response was wholesome as per the board officials. Now that cricket is being included in the next edition of the Olympics, the USA cricket board chairman, Venu Pisike, has predicted that the game will have a bright future in the country. 

Venu, who is of Indian origin and hails from Nalgonda, also added that the sport will become the second biggest market in the USA after India. Cricket was widely regarded as the game played only by the expats and immigrants in the USA but after the marquee event's success, even Baseball freak locals have shown interest in the sport.

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"In order to grow the sport in the US, it requires a lot of tools. You need to show a career path and opportunities. One step in making cricket a professional sport is with the Olympics and the recent World Cup. With the game's inclusion in the Olympics, it gives a clear path to any newcomer,” said Venu as quoted by TOI.

"The State of California has included cricket in their school system. It is a big boost as we need the game to develop from the grassroots. Other states will follow. We have challenges in providing infrastructure and facilities. But with the Olympics four years away, I am sure by that time, we will have much better facilities," he added.

Everybody is talking about cricket: Venu

USA marched into the Super 8 stages of the T20 World Cup 2024, an astonishing feat for a team without even an associate nation tag. Saurabh Netravalkar became a household name after his match-winning performance against Pakistan and to add that he played for India's Under 19 team fuelled the excitement. Media in the USA covered the developments with utmost diligence throughout the tournament.

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"As a playing nation, our performance in the T20 World Cup getting into Super 8, and defeating Pakistan in a league match really helped. That actually created a lot of interest and a lot of impact in the community. Most of the media, even the government officials, diplomats, everybody is talking about cricket," the 54-year-old concluded.