Empire State Review Contributor 
The second One-Day International (ODI) between India Women and England Women on July 19 saw a historic milestone in the United States: more than 2 million viewers tuned in via streaming platforms, setting a record for an international women’s cricket match broadcast in the U.S.
Broadcast analysts attribute this surge to the expanding South Asian diaspora in America and the growing interest in cricket as women’s cricket gears up for its debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The International Cricket Council and the LA 28 Olympic committee have intentionally nurtured this momentum, citing both the U.S. market potential and diaspora engagement as decisive factors in cricket’s inclusion.
This viewership record is part of a broader trend: the U.S. hosted multiple matches of the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup, and Major League Cricket (MLC) launched in 2023, grossing over $500 million and signaling cricket’s commercial viability stateside. T20’s fast pace and female athletes’ rising star power are adding fuel to the sport’s appeal, especially as the women’s game prepares to shine on the Olympic stage.
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In April 2025, the IOC confirmed that cricket will return to the Olympics for the first time since 1900, with both men’s and women’s T20 events comprising six teams each. The women’s tournament promises a landmark opportunity, as the inclusion of women’s cricket is being hailed for promoting gender equality and broadening the sport’s global visibility.
Leading voices from the USA Women’s National Team, such as Anika Kolan and Isani Vaghela, have celebrated the Olympic moment as transformative. Kolan’s collaboration with the ICC and IOC on an Olympic-themed video reached nearly a million views, underscoring grassroots enthusiasm. Vaghela has spoken of the Olympics as validating her lifelong dream of mainstream cricket in America, especially for women of diverse backgrounds.
This year’s India vs England ODI series has been a compelling showcase for cricket fans. After India’s narrow win in the first ODI, the second match drew huge global online attention, prompting mainstream platforms to amplify coverage. The 2-million U.S. viewership mark eclipses previous highs for women’s cricket in America, including coverage of marquee events like the Women’s T20 World Cup and the Commonwealth Games.
The record figures reflect more than diaspora-driven consumption. They signal growing cross-cultural curiosity about cricket, especially given its readiness for global promotion through Olympic exposure. Analysts believe this marks a turning point: men’s cricket may have laid the groundwork, but it’s the women’s game that is now catalyzing broad-based popularity.
The imminent 2028 LA Olympics are designed to maximize this momentum. Organizers are reportedly considering hosting cricket matches on the East Coast—possibly New York—to align with prime viewing times in cricket nations such as India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Doing so could dramatically enhance international broadcast revenues and awareness.
Still, Olympic cricket participation will be hard-earned. With only six women’s teams allowed, competition for spots will be fierce. The U.S. women’s team currently stands at No. 26 in world rankings and may not receive an automatic berth, despite being the host nation.
Nonetheless, the July 19 viewership record underscores one fact: American audiences—especially the South Asian diaspora—are tuning in. With narratives of Olympic qualification in tension with boundary-clutching action, the journey to LA 2028 is quickly becoming a story worth watching. If engagement continues to grow, women’s Olympic cricket could well become one of the defining sporting moments of the decade.
