The International Cricket Council (ICC) is targeting China as a major driver of cricket’s next phase of global expansion, with Chief Executive Officer Sanjog Gupta identifying the country as a potential source of the majority of the sport’s next 500 million fans.
The ambition forms part of a long-term development strategy aimed at establishing China as a competitive international cricket nation over the next decade, rather than simply attracting television audiences or commercial investment.
With cricket returning to the Olympic programme at Los Angeles 2028, the ICC sees an opportunity to strengthen the sport’s position within China’s established sporting system and create a foundation for sustained participation and high-performance development.
Speaking in an interview with _Global Times_, Gupta said: “Our ambition is not just to create an audience or a commercial market for the sport, but to see China become a competitive cricketing nation in the global ecosystem.”
ICC targets sustainable cricket growth in China
China’s population, influence in international sport and position within Asia make it an attractive long-term growth opportunity for the ICC.
However, the governing body’s approach is not limited to expanding its audience. It is working towards a structure that connects participation at grassroots level with coaching, player development and competitive opportunities.
Gupta outlined that broader objective, saying: “We want to see a sustainable cricket ecosystem develop, with participation, performance and visibility reinforcing each other over time.”
The strategy requires coordination with the Chinese Cricket Association (CCA), particularly in developing facilities, strengthening national teams and creating opportunities for emerging players to progress through the domestic system.
China remains some distance behind established cricket nations such as India, but the ICC believes a coordinated development programme could strengthen its international competitiveness over the next five to ten years.
Olympic return creates major opportunity for Chinese cricket
Cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is central to the ICC’s plans for China, where recognition within major multi-sport competitions can help attract institutional attention and sporting investment.
The governing body believes Olympic status could encourage greater support for cricket from provincial sporting authorities, creating opportunities for improved facilities, coaching programmes and player development.
Gupta explained the significance of the Olympic programme, saying: “Olympic inclusion gives cricket greater relevance within institutional sporting systems. It can open the door to greater attention, investment, infrastructure and player development.”
The ICC is also working with the CCA to secure cricket’s inclusion in China’s 2029 National Games, a move that could help establish the sport within the country’s domestic competitive structure.
Gupta said: “We have been working with the CCA to push for cricket’s inclusion in the National Games in 2029. With cricket being considered for the sports program in Brisbane 2032, we are confident this could become a reality.”
Cricket’s participation in the 2029 National Games has not yet been confirmed. If approved, it could encourage more Chinese provinces to develop teams and allocate resources towards the sport.
Infrastructure and talent development form the foundation
Beyond Olympic recognition, the ICC and CCA are exploring ways to expand the facilities and expertise needed to support cricket’s long-term development.
The CCA is upgrading cricket infrastructure in Hangzhou and Taicang, while discussions have also taken place over establishing a dedicated centre of excellence in China.
Such a facility could provide specialist training for coaches, umpires and cricket educators, helping build the technical resources needed to support players at different stages of development.
The ICC is also encouraging the expansion of domestic participation and more structured talent identification programmes, ensuring that international opportunities are supported by a functioning development system.
Gupta emphasised the importance of this approach, saying: “Meaningful international competition cannot exist in isolation. It must be supported by grassroots participation, coaching resources, infrastructure, talent identification and high-performance pathways.”
China has also begun increasing cricket’s visibility through digital broadcasting. Chinese-language coverage of the 2026 men’s and women’s T20 World Cups was made available through local platforms, helping introduce the international game to domestic audiences.
China’s women’s cricket team offers early signs of progress
While the ICC’s broader strategy is focused on long-term development, China’s women’s national team has already demonstrated improvement at international level.
The team has climbed 10 places in the ICC Women’s T20I rankings over the past two years, providing evidence of growing competitiveness within regional cricket.
China’s campaign at the 2026 Asian Games ended in unusual circumstances when its quarterfinal against Bangladesh was abandoned because of a waterlogged ground.
With the outcome determined by the teams’ world rankings under tournament regulations, China was eliminated without being able to contest the knockout match.
Reflecting on the disappointment in a television interview, Chinese Women’s Cricket Team Captain Zhu Mingyue said: “It was a real shame that the match could not go ahead, but this is also part of our growth, and we have to accept it. We will return to training hard and look forward to playing against strong teams again in the future.”
The ICC sees the women’s team’s recent improvement as an opportunity to build momentum through regional tournaments and greater international exposure.
Gupta believes China has reached a stage where its women’s side can compete meaningfully in significant regional competitions, although further progress will depend on sustained investment in national-team programmes.
MCC women’s tour could accelerate China’s development
One of the next steps in China’s international development is a planned 2027 visit by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) women’s team.
The tour is expected to provide competitive experience for Chinese players while creating opportunities for coaches and cricket administrators to exchange knowledge.
Gupta highlighted the wider benefits of such visits, saying: “An international tour is not just a competitive opportunity. It also brings knowledge exchanges and helps raise local visibility and interest in the sport.”
The CCA has also expressed interest in hosting an ICC Tier 2 event, which would provide another avenue for China to gain experience organising international cricket competitions.
These initiatives are intended to strengthen both playing standards and the country’s ability to stage events, with the ICC ultimately seeking a more established Chinese presence within international cricket.
ICC’s long-term vision extends beyond fan numbers
The next five to ten years will be important in determining whether China’s cricket ambitions translate into a sustainable domestic structure.
For the ICC, progress will depend on developing stronger national teams, increasing participation, improving coaching resources and establishing competitive opportunities that can support the sport beyond individual tournaments.
The governing body also sees potential for China to host ICC global events as its infrastructure and organisational capabilities develop.
Its immediate priorities include pursuing the 2029 National Games opportunity, supporting the planned MCC women’s tour and working with the CCA on facilities and high-performance development.
Together, those initiatives will form the foundation of the ICC’s effort to establish China as a significant participant in international cricket while expanding the sport’s global audience.
