NEW DELHI: India's star batsman Virat Kohli has shared his views on cricket's growing influence in the US as the country prepares to co-host the T20 World Cup with West Indies.
In recent years, cricket has grown significantly in popularity in the United States, with Major League Cricket (MLC) playing a key role in this growth.
Recently, the MLC became the second associate franchise tournament to be awarded List A status by the International Cricket Council (ICC), after the UAE International League T20.
With the T20 World Cup approaching, cricket fever is on the rise in the US, sparking interest in the sport. Ahead of the tournament, Kohli shared his thoughts on cricket's growth in the US and admitted that he never thought he would play any form of cricket in the country.
“Honestly, I never thought cricket would be played in the US in any form. But now it is a reality. It shows the growing influence of the sport on the world. The US is happy to embrace change and will probably be the first country to embrace it on a global scale in the form of a World Cup. I think this is a great start. It's an ideal start. So I think it will have a big impact,” Kohli said in a video posted on X by the US Consulate in Mumbai.
The MLC's debut season in 2023 will revolutionize American cricket, introducing world-class domestic T20 action to the United States for the first time, with most of the matches played in front of sellout crowds in Texas and North Carolina.
Following the successful completion of the inaugural season of MLC, the second season is set to feature top stars from some of the cricketing powerhouses in the country.
Kohli spoke about the impact of the MLC and its potential to boost interest in cricket among fans.
“It's kind of starting a domino effect and hopefully it will continue for a long time. Like I said, we have enough talent in our area to keep cricket alive in the States and let other people get to know what it feels like to play and watch cricket. I also think there's great potential for the MLC. We already have franchise cricket, so I think we're moving in the right direction.”
Washington Freedom will field a strong Australian line-up next season with top players such as Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Travis Head as well as coach Ricky Ponting joining the franchise.
The San Francisco Unicorns will be strengthened with the addition of New Zealand slugger Finn Allen.
(ANI input available)
In recent years, cricket has grown significantly in popularity in the United States, with Major League Cricket (MLC) playing a key role in this growth.
Recently, the MLC became the second associate franchise tournament to be awarded List A status by the International Cricket Council (ICC), after the UAE International League T20.
With the T20 World Cup approaching, cricket fever is on the rise in the US, sparking interest in the sport. Ahead of the tournament, Kohli shared his thoughts on cricket's growth in the US and admitted that he never thought he would play any form of cricket in the country.
“Honestly, I never thought cricket would be played in the US in any form. But now it is a reality. It shows the growing influence of the sport on the world. The US is happy to embrace change and will probably be the first country to embrace it on a global scale in the form of a World Cup. I think this is a great start. It's an ideal start. So I think it will have a big impact,” Kohli said in a video posted on X by the US Consulate in Mumbai.
The MLC's debut season in 2023 will revolutionize American cricket, introducing world-class domestic T20 action to the United States for the first time, with most of the matches played in front of sellout crowds in Texas and North Carolina.
Following the successful completion of the inaugural season of MLC, the second season is set to feature top stars from some of the cricketing powerhouses in the country.
Kohli spoke about the impact of the MLC and its potential to boost interest in cricket among fans.
“It's kind of starting a domino effect and hopefully it will continue for a long time. Like I said, we have enough talent in our area to keep cricket alive in the States and let other people get to know what it feels like to play and watch cricket. I also think there's great potential for the MLC. We already have franchise cricket, so I think we're moving in the right direction.”
Washington Freedom will field a strong Australian line-up next season with top players such as Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Travis Head as well as coach Ricky Ponting joining the franchise.
The San Francisco Unicorns will be strengthened with the addition of New Zealand slugger Finn Allen.
(ANI input available)
