Rishi Sunak Celebrates Cricket's Olympic Return and IPL's Global Influence
Cricket's Historic Comeback to the Olympics
Rishi Sunak, the former UK Prime Minister, linked the return of cricket to the Olympics after a century-long absence to India's rising global stature. He praised the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for their transformative roles in the sport.
Cricket will feature in the Los Angeles 2028 Games, marking its first appearance since 1900.
Sunak remarked, "This reflects India's influence in the 21st century. India's interests and passions now resonate globally. The reason cricket is back in the Olympics after 100 years is due to India." He made these comments while attending the IPL final between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad.
The IPL's Impact on Cricket
As a passionate cricket enthusiast, Sunak highlighted the IPL's significant impact on the game over the years. He stated, "The IPL has revolutionized cricket. Every cricketer aspires to play in the IPL at some point in their career. It has also positively influenced women's cricket, encouraging more girls to participate through the Women's Premier League."
He further discussed the IPL's influence on English cricket, citing the recent achievements of players like Jacob Bethell as evidence.
"Look at the English players involved; they are improving. I watched Jacob Bethell perform brilliantly at Edgbaston last week during the England vs. West Indies ODI. The IPL has enhanced his skills as a cricketer," he noted.
Sunak's Affection for RCB and Virat Kohli
The 45-year-old politician expressed his support for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and its star player, Virat Kohli. He hopes RCB will finally secure their first IPL trophy after 18 years.
"I'll give you a hint — Ee Sala Cup Namde! I hope my Kannada has improved since I proposed to Akshata 16 years ago, where I wasn't sure she understood me!"
Sunak's connection to Bengaluru comes through his wife, Akshata, the daughter of Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy and entrepreneur Sudha Murty. He shared, "RCB is my team. We attended matches together long ago, and Akshata's parents gifted me this shirt at our wedding, which is wonderful."
He also expressed his admiration for Kohli, stating, "I'm a huge fan of Virat Kohli. He's a total legend. One of my prized possessions is a signed bat he gifted me through India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during my time as Prime Minister, which is incredible."
Cricket as a Diplomatic Tool
Sunak emphasized cricket's role as a diplomatic instrument, sharing anecdotes about his friendly banter with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during the Ashes series. "At times, it got a bit heated, but always in good spirits," he said.
He also mentioned his discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating, "We always had great cricket conversations before diving into business. India is visiting England this summer, and I believe it will strengthen the ties and friendship between our nations."