Garcetti, who played a leading role in the Los Angeles 2028 bid as the city’s Mayor, was speaking to the Governor during a courtesy call at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai.

Stating that he was a keen follower of cricket, the Ambassador added that he had requested film star Shah Rukh Khan to lend his support to the Los Angeles cricket team.

Garcetti told Bais that President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to have four meetings in as many months in Tokyo, Australia, Washington and New Delhi.

He added that Mumbai and Ahmedabad could consider hosting the 2036 Olympics.

Garcetti, who became US Ambassador in March and is currently touring Mumbai, has met India’s recently retired cricket legend Mithali Raj, the leading run-scorer in women's one day internationals.

The former Los Angeles Mayor shared images of the meeting on social media in which he is seen taking lessons in how to take a stance at the crease before the former cricketer signs a bat for him.

On Twitter, Garcetti called Raj an inspirational advocate of gender equity in sports and wrote, "I was delighted to meet the former captain of the Indian Women’s National Cricket Team and an inspirational advocate for gender equity in sports."

Replying to his Tweet Raj wrote, "It was lovely meeting the Ambassador of the US to India, Mr Eric Garcetti today.

"Thank you for inviting me over.

"Naturally, cricket was the topic of discussion along with some batting lessons."

Cricket is on a shortlist along with motorsport, cricket, karate, baseball-softball, lacrosse, breaking, kickboxing, squash and flag football invited by Los Angeles 2028 to present their case for a place at the Olympics.

A decision on which sports to add to the programme is expected later this year.