As India ramps up its efforts to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, it is making a strong pitch for the inclusion of cricket in the event. This proposal is seen as a potential game changer, capitalizing on India’s deep-rooted passion for cricket and its massive revenue-generating potential.
A delegation from the Gujarat government, headed by Minister of Sports Harsh Sanghavi, recently met with officials from the Commonwealth Games Federation to discuss the possibility of cricket’s inclusion in the 2030 Games. As one senior official involved in the delegation noted, “If the proposal is accepted, it would mark the first time cricket becomes an official sport at the Commonwealth Games.”
India’s campaign to include cricket in the prestigious sporting event is backed by the unparalleled popularity of the sport in the country. The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a prime example of cricket’s massive reach, attracting packed stadiums and a record number of viewers, both on television and digital platforms. The official told Ahmedabad Mirror, “More than 17 crore (170 million) viewers tuned in on TV alone. The scale of earnings is staggering. We’ve formally proposed the inclusion of cricket to the authorities.”
While women’s cricket was featured in the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, India now hopes to leverage the nation’s fervor for the sport by advocating for the men’s format to be included in 2030. This push for men’s cricket follows the announcement that cricket (T20) will make its return to the Olympics in 2028 in Los Angeles, after a 128-year absence.
Gujarat’s ambitions extend beyond hosting the Commonwealth Games, with the state also preparing to bid for the 2036 Olympic Games. The region sees hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games as a vital stepping stone toward that goal. “We’re developing world-class sports infrastructure in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. Hosting the Commonwealth Games would be a major precursor to the Olympics,” the official said.
Key infrastructure projects in Gujarat include the Sardar Patel Sports Enclave at the Narendra Modi Stadium, which will house various facilities, and the Naranpura sports complex, which is set to feature cutting-edge indoor sports amenities. Additionally, new sports academies, including one in Karai, are under construction to further bolster the region’s sporting infrastructure.
“Gujarat has all the potential to successfully organise the Commonwealth Games—and later, the Olympics. We’re ready to take on the challenge,” the official confidently stated.
India’s bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games is not without competition. The 2026 Games will be held in Glasgow, which will feature 27 sports including football, athletics, tennis, badminton, and more. India is hoping to secure the hosting rights for 2030 and has already proposed adding 3-4 more sports to the roster, bringing the total to 30 should the bid be successful.
As the 2030 Commonwealth Games bid process progresses, the inclusion of cricket could greatly impact the competition and further solidify India’s position as a global leader in the cricketing world.
