Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli has expressed his excitement about the upcoming T20 World Cup being held in the United States, calling it a sign of the sport’s global expansion.
World Cup first for USA and Virat Kohli
“Honestly, I never thought I’d see cricket played in any format in the States,” Virat Kohli said in a video shared by the US Consulate in Mumbai. “But now it’s a reality. This World Cup happening in the USA tells you how much the sport is growing worldwide. It shows the US is embracing this change, and in a way, becoming the first country on a global scale to truly accept cricket by hosting the World Cup.”
Domino Effect for Cricket in US
Kohli believes the T20 World Cup can be a catalyst for cricket’s growth in the United States. “This is a great start, the ideal way to begin,” he said. “It’s going to have a huge impact, potentially setting off a domino effect that will hopefully keep cricket thriving in the US for a long time.”
South Asian community a driving force for Cricket in USA
The Indian captain also highlighted the role that the large South Asian population residing in the Americas can play. “There are enough people from our regions in the US to keep the fire of cricket burning,” he said. “They can help raise awareness about the sport, both for players and fans. With Major League Cricket (MLC) already established and franchise cricket happening, there’s great potential for cricket in the US. It’s definitely moving in the right direction.”
More on T20 WC:
16 matches across 3 US cities
The T20 World Cup will see 16 matches played across three US cities – New York, Texas, and Florida. Cricket fans are particularly excited about eight matches scheduled for New York, including the highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan.