Cricket fans have received significant news today, as it has been confirmed that cricket will not be part of the Commonwealth Games scheduled to take place in Glasgow from July 23 to August 2, 2026.
According to ESPNCricinfo, only ten sports will feature in the upcoming Games, and cricket—having made a comeback during the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham with a women’s T20 tournament—is notably absent from the schedule.
The women’s cricket event in Birmingham was particularly thrilling, with Australia narrowly defeating India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, in the final. The Australian team, under the guidance of the iconic Meg Lanning, displayed exceptional performance, emphasizing Australia’s dominance in both the men’s and women’s editions of cricket.
ALSO READ: How Virender Sehwag modified the Indian Batting style?
Along with this game, other sports like field hockey, badminton, shooting, and wrestling have also been omitted from the CWG agenda.
Katie Sadleir, the CEO of the Commonwealth Games, remarked that the 2026 Games aim to redefine and enhance the model of the Commonwealth Games by minimizing costs and reducing the environmental impact, consequently increasing the number of participating countries. While the specific reasons behind cricket’s omission remain unclear, budgetary constraints seem to be a critical factor in the streamlining of the event’s offerings.
Interestingly, cricket is preparing for a return to the Olympics in the 2028 Los Angeles Games after a gap of 128 years, with its inclusion in the T20 format. This comes after cricket last appeared in the Olympics back in 1900, where Great Britain secured the gold medal. The decision was made at the 141st International Olympic Committee session held in Mumbai in October last year.
The LA organizing committee emphasized a commitment to growing cricket in the U.S., bolstered by the recent successful launch of the Major League Cricket season and the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2024 co-hosted by the U.S. and West Indies.
FOLLOW OUR FB PAGE FOR LATEST SPORTS NEWS
Turning to another trending topic, Australia’s star opener David Warner, who retired from international cricket in January, has hinted at a possible return for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series against India. The Test series is set to commence in Perth on November 22, and Warner has expressed enthusiasm about stepping back onto the field if Australia needs him.
With Australia searching for a reliable opening pair, Warner stated, “I’m always available, just the delay in getting the call. I retired for the right reasons, but if they desperately need someone, I’m ready.”
Despite his retirement, Warner’s potential involvement illustrates the ongoing evolution within the Australian squad, as they attempt to fill the void left by his departure. The selectors have been evaluating options, including 19-year-old Sam Constas and seasoned veteran Marcus Harris for the opener role, while Steve Smith emphasizes that he prefers batting at number four in the lineup.
