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Xtra Time Web Desk: Former India captain Virat Kohli has sparked speculation about a potential return to international cricket for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Speaking at the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit on Saturday, March 15, Kohli admitted that playing in the Olympics was a tempting idea, although he remains uncertain about his long-term plans after retirement.

Kohli, who retired from T20Is after India's triumphant T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, was asked about his future beyond cricket. While discussing his post-retirement plans, the star batter mentioned that he might travel more but had no concrete plans.

“I actually don't know what I will be doing post-retirement. Recently, I asked a teammate the same question and got the same reply. Yeah, but there may be a lot of travelling,” Kohli said at the summit.

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Virat Kohli is talking about the Indian Cricket Team in the Olympics.

- Virat Kohli said, "I will not come back from retirement to play the Olympics. pic.twitter.com/OM9Nlb2Kj5

— Virat Kohli Fan Club (@Trend_VKohli) March 15, 2025

Could Kohli Play in the Olympics?

During a conversation with former England cricketer Isa Guha, Kohli was quizzed about whether he would consider returning for the 2028 Olympics, which will feature cricket for the first time in over a century. In a lighthearted response, Kohli joked that he might make a comeback if India were playing in the gold medal match.

“No. For the Olympics? Maybe? If we are playing for the gold medal, I may come back for one game (laughs). Get a medal and come back home. To be an Olympic champion would be a magnificent feeling, the first of its kind,” Kohli remarked.

The inclusion of cricket in the Olympics is seen as a historic step, and Kohli acknowledged the role of T20 leagues, particularly the Indian Premier League (IPL), in popularizing the shortest format of the game on a global scale.

“So many T20 leagues are played all over the world, and I think that IPL has definitely played a massive role in that as well. It has brought cricket to a stage where it is part of the Olympics. It’s a great opportunity for some of our guys,” he added.

Kohli on India’s Sporting Culture

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) talisman also reflected on the evolution of sports in India, emphasizing the rapid growth of women’s cricket. Kohli praised the Women’s Premier League (WPL), noting that its popularity had led to greater investment and expansion.

“They were their own catalysts and kind of put the attention onto them. I literally saw it happening in a time span of 6-7 years. The way they started playing, you could see that belief, and then people started engaging a lot. Eventually, it got to a place where the commercials became better, money was being infused into the women’s game, and then you have the WPL,” he commented.

Kohli further emphasized that India’s sporting culture is on the right track, citing the rise of individual athletes in sports like badminton, boxing, tennis, and wrestling.

“Looking at men for the improvement of sport in any country, it has to be a collective. Sports culture includes everyone, and women’s sport is a massive part of it. We have so much talent in women’s sports, not just cricket but all the others. We are creating individual activities over the years in tennis, badminton, wrestling, and boxing. So, I think it's definitely heading in the right direction and needs more backing and infrastructure development,” Kohli stated.

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With the 2028 Olympics still a few years away, cricket fans will be eager to see whether Kohli follows through on his playful hint and returns for a shot at Olympic glory.