Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has attributed the return of cricket to the Olympics after a century-long absence to India's growing global stature. Cricket has been included in the lineup for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics for the first time since 1900.

While attending the IPL final between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad, Sunak remarked, 'This is a testament to India's influence in the 21st century. It reflects India's passion and its global impact.' He emphasized that cricket's return to the Olympics is largely due to India.

As a cricket enthusiast, Sunak discussed the transformative effects of the IPL over recent years. He stated, 'The IPL has revolutionized cricket. I believe every cricketer, regardless of their background, aspires to play in the IPL at some point in their career. It has also been fantastic for women's cricket, with many girls participating in the Women's Premier League.'

Sunak highlighted the influence of the IPL on English cricket, citing the recent performances of players like Jacob Bethel. He noted, 'Look at the English players participating; they are improving. Just last week, I watched the ODI between England and West Indies at Edgbaston, where Jacob Bethel played a remarkable innings. The IPL has enhanced his skills as a cricketer.'

Bethel, who plays for RCB, scored 82 runs off 53 balls in the first ODI of a three-match series, contributing to England's significant victory by 238 runs. The 45-year-old politician expressed his fondness for RCB's star player Virat Kohli and hopes the team ends its 18-year wait for an IPL trophy. He humorously added, 'I give you a hint: 'E sala cup namde,' and I hope my pronunciation has improved since I proposed to Akshata in Kannada 16 years ago. Honestly, I'm not sure if she understood what I said.'

Sunak's connection to Bengaluru stems from his marriage to Akshata, the daughter of Infosys founder N.R. Narayana Murthy and entrepreneur Sudha Murthy. He shared, 'I support RCB because I married into a family from Bengaluru. We used to watch matches together long ago. After our wedding, Akshata's parents gifted me a shirt that I cherish.'

Discussing his favorite player, Sunak expressed, 'I am a huge fan of Virat Kohli. He is a phenomenal player. I have a bat signed by him, which was given to me as a Diwali gift by India's Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar when I was Prime Minister. It's fantastic.'

Sunak remarked, 'Cricket serves as a valuable diplomatic tool. I often have great conversations about cricket with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, especially during the Ashes series, where discussions can get quite spirited yet remain friendly.'

He expressed optimism, stating, 'I always have engaging discussions about cricket with Prime Minister Narendra Modi before we embark on any work. The Indian team is set to tour England this season, which promises to be a fantastic series. I believe this will further strengthen the partnership and friendship between our two nations.'