Cricket stars want Twenty20 as an Olympic sport

New Delhi: Twenty20 has become a hot favourite among cricket lovers and many players have been demanding that it be a part of the Olympics too.

Leading the call for cricket's bosses to push for an Olympic spot is former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist.

Having experienced the passion for Twenty20 at the Indian Premier League, Gilchrist says the time is right for cricket to be in Olympics.

"My sort of suggestion was we should focus on 2020 (Olympic Games), obviously it's a nice fit with the term Twenty20. But I think it's going to take a bit of time and serious thought rather than just rush into it. So, let's just throw it out there, see what support there is around the world," Gilchrist said.

He has already won support from cricketers around the world. Steve Waugh, who led Australia to a sliver medal at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur when cricket was played said, "If you want to globalise the game then you have to look at including countries like China and the United States, and getting cricket into the Olympics will fast-track that move."

"It will help the players to be part of a worldwide movement. Cricket is an exciting sport and should definitely be part of the Olympics," former India skipper Sourav Ganguly told Deccan Chronicle.

Other supporters of the idea include former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming and Sri Lanka's vice-captain Kumar Sangakkara.

But can cricket fit into the framework of a two-week long Olympic Games?

"Not a bad idea I suppose. It's an international sport. Maybe it takes too long, maybe the 20-over format would be a good one," Indian coach Gary Kirsten said.

Gilchrist also said, "We've got to investigate getting into new areas as a sport and I think becoming part of the Olympic movement is going to enhance that and Twenty20 is a perfect vehicle to getting there and bring that forward."

Usually for a new sport to be made part of an Olympics programme; a seven-year process needs to be followed.

So are cricket's administrators prepared to fight the battle?