We should push for cricket's entry into Olympics, says Gilchrist

“Afghanistan making the World T20 is wonderful, a fantastic story for cricket,” the Deccan Chargers skipper said on Thursday. “It just shows the value T20 holds for cricket as a model. I have said it before that if we want to push for Olympic acceptance, which I really feel we should, the ICC should have that as a primary agenda item, and the way to do that is through T20 cricket. The way countries can best quicken up their development is in this form. We have seen it in hockey. Twenty years from being zero in hockey through the region, China were Olympic medalists very, very soon. Afghanistan is a great story based on that Twenty20 format.” Once again detailing the necessity for a separate window for the IPL, Gilchrist went on, “The ICC and the IPL need to sit down and have a look at it. But I have no doubt that the administrators are already aware of that. I am beginning more and more to believe that players across the globe would like a window to be available, the obvious part being there is a good financial return for the players. But along with that, it is THE premier club competition in the world. It’s really caught the imagination of everyone involved. If the players want to be part of it or are desperate to be part of it, that’s only going to help the brand and the game of cricket.”

At the same time, Gilchrist cautioned against getting carried away by the T20 euphoria and neglecting other formats. “There’s a lot more to the cricketing world than just T20,” he pointed out. “For me, Tests is the ultimate cricket and that’s what we’ve got to maintain and strive for.” The IPL ends exactly a week before the World T20 begins. Gilchrist acknowledged the benefits as well as the pitfalls of such scheduling. “Being just before the World T20 is a great benefit to all nations whose players are part of this IPL. They are going to use this as a preparation. But the IPL needs to be aware of not getting too big for the detriment of the game. I was reading with interest Lalit Modi’s comments that the commissioner and the committee are aware of that as they look to extend the competition but are not looking to take up too much time. That’s of vital importance.”