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Ashwin: ODI Cricket Faces 'Slow Death' Post-2027
1 Jan
Summary
- Ravichandran Ashwin fears ODI cricket's relevance will decline after 2027.
- He believes Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's retirement will impact viewership.
- Ashwin suggests fewer World Cups could boost ODI format's appeal.
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin expresses significant concern over the future of the ODI format, predicting it may struggle for relevance post-2027 World Cup. He notes that star players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are crucial for current viewership, citing their participation in domestic tournaments drawing attention. Ashwin believes the increasing popularity of T20 leagues and the enduring appeal of Test cricket leave less space for 50-over matches.
Ashwin points out that modern ODIs have changed drastically, moving away from the controlled innings seen from players like MS Dhoni. He argues that the format is now played in limited gears, either aggressive from the start or vulnerable on difficult wickets. He also critiques the International Cricket Council's (ICC) calendar, suggesting too many World Cups and bilateral series dilute the significance of marquee events.
To potentially revive the ODI format's appeal, Ashwin proposes a radical solution: primarily focus on the ODI World Cup held once every four years. He suggests that this scarcity could create greater anticipation and value for the format, contrasting it with the frequency of T20 league matches and ICC tournaments, which he feels contribute to an 'overkill'.
