Why is Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik celebrating inclusion of Squash in LA2028 Olympics?

Dinesh Karthik showed his excitement after cricket and squash got included in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

It has been a historic day for all the cricket lovers across the globe. A massive decision was taken in Mumbai at the 141st IOC Session by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the game of cricket has been included in the Olympics after a century-long wait. The first time cricket was played in the Olympics was back then, in 1990, when Great Britain and France teams participated.

Britain won the gold medal, and France won the silver. But since then, this sport hasn't made a presence at the biggest multinational sporting event in history. But now, the 2028 edition in Los Angeles (LA28) will have five new games making entry into the Olympics. Cricket, along with baseball, softball, flag football, lacrosse, and squash, will be part of LA28.

Here is why Dinesh Karthik is happy for squash to be included in the Olympics 2028

Cricket will be played in T20 format in the LA28. Reacting to this decision, veteran Indian wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik took to Twitter (now X) to show his happiness. He tweeted, "Two sports which are so close to me - Cricket and Squash will now be played at the Olympics. I couldn't be any happier....Go India!!!" Being a cricketer, it is understandable for him to feel happy that cricket is back in the Olympics.

But Dinesh Karthik was also happy that squash has also been included. It is because his wife, Dipika Pallikal, is a re-knowned squash player who has won a number of medals for the country on the big stage. She recently won a gold medal, along with Harinderpal Singh Sandhu, in the mixed double squash event at the Asian Games 2023.

Notably, it will be the first time in 128 years that cricket will be played at the Olympics. This was a big decision, given the growing popularity of cricket across the globe. This has now become the second-most-followed sport in history, and over 100 countries play this sport to their own capability.