Former India opener Virender Sehwag reckons that the game of cricket needs to played in more countries in order to make its way into the Olympics.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) involves 105 members but only 12 are full members. They are trying their best to include cricket in the 2024 Olympics. The only time cricket was part of Olympics was way back in 1990.

During the launch of St. Moritz Ice Cricket in New Delhi, Sehwag said, “I think it is ICC’s call. They need more nations to play cricket, then it can be part of Olympics. Twelve teams (full members) are not enough.”

One way of spreading the game would be to take it to undiscovered countries like Switzerland, where Sehwag will be playing in February alongside other former players such as Mahela Jayawardene, Shoaib Akhtar, Daniel Vettori, Mohammad Kaif and Graeme Smith. He said, “It will be great if we can inspire somebody (to take up the game in Switzerland.”

Switzerland is not a member of the ICC but St. Moritz, which has hosted Winter Olympics twice, will host Ice Cricket on February 8 and 9. The organizers claim that the event has been approved by the ICC.