Gujarat delegation proposes inclusion of men’s cricket in 2030 Commonwealth Games as India bids to host event; cricket already included in 2028 LA Olympic Games.
India Pitches for Men’s Cricket in 2030 Commonwealth Games, Eyes Hosting Opportunity
As India intensifies its bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, it has added a powerful sporting proposal to the table—the inclusion of men’s cricket in the Games’ official roster. The pitch, backed by India’s cricketing fervour and the sport’s enormous commercial success, could dramatically reshape the profile and viewership of the Commonwealth Games if accepted.
A high-level delegation from the Gujarat government, led by Sports Minister Harsh Sanghavi, recently met with officials from the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) to present India’s formal request. The proposal aims to not only establish India as a capable and ready host but also to elevate cricket’s global stature further by making it part of a major international multi-sport event.
“If the proposal is accepted, it would mark the first time men’s cricket becomes an official sport at the Commonwealth Games,” said a senior official part of the Indian delegation.
India’s argument is bolstered by the massive popularity of cricket in the country, especially the Indian Premier League (IPL), which has repeatedly shattered television and digital viewership records. In the most recent IPL season, over 170 million people watched the matches on television alone, demonstrating cricket’s unmatched reach.
“The scale of earnings is staggering. Cricket is not just a sport in India, it’s a national obsession. We’ve formally proposed its inclusion to the authorities,” the official told Mirror.
While women’s cricket debuted at the 2022 Birmingham Games, India is now lobbying to include the men’s T20 format alongside the women’s game, citing the success of bilateral and franchise-based formats worldwide. The timing aligns well with cricket’s growing international recognition—T20 cricket will return to the Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028, marking the sport’s re-entry after 128 years.
India’s bid to host the 2030 Games is part of a broader sports diplomacy strategy. The state of Gujarat, which is also preparing a bid for the 2036 Summer Olympics, sees hosting the Commonwealth Games as a crucial stepping stone. Major investments are already underway to transform Gujarat—particularly Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar—into a global sports hub.
“We’re developing world-class infrastructure. Hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games would give India the necessary experience to later stage the Olympics,” the official added.
The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave, home to the Narendra Modi Stadium—the largest cricket stadium in the world—will serve as the anchor venue. Nearby, the Naranpura sports complex is being developed with state-of-the-art indoor sporting facilities, and sports academies, including a prominent one in Karai, are also underway.
The proposal to include cricket isn’t the only change India has suggested. The country has expressed interest in expanding the number of sports at the Games to 30 disciplines, compared to the planned 27 at the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. India has proposed adding 3–4 new sports should it be awarded hosting rights, although specifics on which sports are being considered remain under wraps.
If the bid is successful, this would be India’s second time hosting the Commonwealth Games, the first being New Delhi in 2010. That edition had its share of controversies but also marked India’s emergence as a serious contender in global sporting events.
Gujarat’s leadership is confident in its ability to deliver. “We’re ready to take on the challenge. Gujarat has all the ingredients needed to successfully organise not just the Commonwealth Games, but even the Olympics,” said a senior government representative.
For India, securing both the Games and cricket’s inclusion could be a watershed moment—a blend of national pride, strategic diplomacy, and the power of sport to project global influence.
