Virat Kohli announced his retirement from T20I cricket last June, following India's victory in the T20 World Cup held in Barbados. However, on Saturday, he suggested the possibility of a return for one final match in this format, contingent upon India reaching the final at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Cricket is set to make its return to the Summer Games after a hiatus of 128 years, having last been featured in 1900.

Kohli's significant social media following played a pivotal role in cricket's inclusion in the Olympics. Niccolo Campriani, president of the LA Local Organising Committee (LALOG), remarked, "We all acknowledge the vital importance of a robust digital presence to keep the games relevant for younger audiences. Cricket provides a unique platform for this purpose. Consider my friend here, Virat. He ranks as the third-most followed athlete globally on social media, boasting 314 million followers (387 million as of this writing across Instagram, Facebook, and X). This surpasses the combined following of LeBron James, Tom Brady, and Tiger Woods. This is a significant advantage for LA 28."

The Los Angeles Olympics is anticipated to feature a T20 tournament, which means Kohli and Rohit Sharma will not be part of the Indian squad, as both had concluded their careers in the shortest format last year. Nevertheless, the 36-year-old humorously expressed his willingness to participate in one last T20I for India if the team reaches the Olympic final. 

"If we are competing in the gold medal match, I might just make an appearance for one game... secure a medal and return home," he stated during an interview with Isa Guha at the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit, held at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru.

'When I heard the news, I was happy'

Kohli conveyed his excitement regarding the announcement of cricket's inclusion in the Olympics, made in October 2023. The event will feature T20 tournaments for both men and women.

"Upon hearing the news, I felt a sense of joy. The T20 leagues globally, particularly the IPL (Indian Premier League), have significantly contributed to this development. This presents an incredible opportunity. Achieving the status of Olympic champions would be remarkable, as it would be a first. I am confident that we will be in contention for a medal," Kohli remarked.

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