Rahul Dravid Backs T20 Cricket to Become Olympic Sport

Former Indian cricketer and the current head of the National Cricket Academy, Rahul Dravid, has batted for Twenty20 cricket to become an Olympic sport, adding that he is all for the expansion of the game.

Manoj Badale, lead owner of the IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals in association with Simon Hughes on Friday announced the virtual launch of their new book, ‘A New Innings’and Dravid also took part in the seminar.

The veteran batsman took the example of the recently concluded Indian Premier League and explained the reason behind the season’s success. He said that 13th edition of the Indian Premier League was successful due to the qualities of pitches that were displayed throughout the season.

“I think it will be great if the T20 format of the game can become an Olympic sport. Obviously, it will come with its challenges. Also, cricket is a game that requires a certain kind of facility for it to be successful,” Rahul Dravid said during the virtual seminar as quoted by ANI.

“We have seen in the just-concluded IPL, the success of IPL was on large part due to the quality of wickets… if you can get all of that right and get the facilities in place then why not. I am certainly for the expansion of the T20 game. If it is possible, cricket should endeavour to try and get into the Olympics,” he added.

The latest edition of the Indian Premier League has concluded on Tuesday with Mumbai Indians defeating Delhi Capitals by five wickets and lifting the IPL trophy for the fifth time.

Speaking on the reason behind Rohit Sharma-led franchise’s success in the past 4-5 years, Rahul Dravid said the prime reason behind MI’s success is that they have maintained a really strong core of high-quality senior players, and backed up young talents.

“I think what they have done really well over the last 4-5 years is that they have maintained a really strong core of really high-quality players and mixed that up with identifying some really good young talented players,” he said.

”….that has really been the key, their ability to maintain a core of very experienced senior players, obviously world-class T20 players, and the critical thing is that then balancing that out with young exciting Indian talent. And they have been able to do that exceptionally well,” Dravid added.