New Delhi: Despite an early exit from the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, there is good news for the Indian women’s team. Harmanpreet Kaur’s team has qualified for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Despite losing by six wickets to Australia in the last match of Group A, India secured a place among the six teams in the Olympics under the ICC’s new qualification system.
Cricket returns to Olympics after 128 years, format of 6 teams
The ICC on Monday decided the qualification rules for the 2028 Olympics. Cricket is returning to the Olympics after 128 years. Six teams each will play in both men’s and women’s T20 tournaments.
India qualified as the best-ranked qualifying team in Asia for the ongoing T20 World Cup. Despite not reaching the semi-finals, India finished ahead of other Asian teams in the tournament, earning them the continent’s only automatic slot.
Four teams confirmed, USA has a chance of hosting quota
Under the qualification system, one team each from Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania has got direct entry. Australia qualified from Oceania, South Africa from Africa and Great Britain i.e. England from Europe.
Australia, Great Britain, India and South Africa thus became the first four women’s teams to qualify for the LA28. The fifth slot can go to hosts USA if they finish in the top 15 of the ICC Women’s T20I Rankings between June 30 and December 31, 2026. Otherwise, the highest ranked non-qualified team till March 1, 2027 will get the chance.
Qualifier for sixth team in 2027
The sixth and final Olympic slot will be decided by the first ICC Olympic Qualifier to be held in 2027. In this, the eight highest ranked teams will play which have not yet qualified.
Regarding West Indies, ICC clarified that they are a joint member, not an IOC recognized NOC. Therefore they cannot play Olympics directly. If they top rank, a country will be selected from the Caribbean Qualifying Tournament.
Jay Shah said ‘historic moment for cricket’
ICC Chairman Jay Shah called it a memorable moment for cricket. He said, "The qualifying process is clear and offers members an exciting path to the Olympic podium. The inclusion of cricket in LA28 will inspire players and fans from all walks of life."
ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta said that the new model strikes a balance between competitive standards and global representation. Each team will be able to choose 15 members. Six teams will be divided into two groups. The top two gold medal matches and the third-fourth placed teams will play for bronze. All matches will be held at specific venues in Pomona.
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