In the four years since the last World Cup, the cricketing landscape has significantly changed. COVID-19 put a stop to all cricket. When action resumed, there were 2 T20 World Cup years, with the shortest format also the most convenient way to fill up depleted coffers. The ODIs thus have lost some relevance with the World Cup 2023 a make-or-break of sorts for the format. Despite the uncertain future, BCCI and Jay Shah remain bullish.
India, the biggest money maker in the game is hosting the entirety of the tournament for the first time. There has never been a shortage of crowds in India, and fans will turn up in huge numbers. Rohit Sharma & Co play in 9 venues – the most in the tournament.
“Cricket unites India like no other sport and excitement is building across the country as we prepare to host the 10 best teams in the world over six weeks of heart-stopping cricket,” Jay Shah spoke at the ICC event.
“I know there is a great debate on the future of ODI cricket. This World Cup in India will end that debate,” Shah added.
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World Cup 2023 Most Crucial than ever
You can see where the BCCI secretary comes from. BCCI is set to bag a nearly 38% share of ICC revenue in the coming cycle. The cricket-crazy population means India plays in front of packed crowds both home and away. Add the occasion, some 2019-like drama and you can understand why ODIs could still exist.
But even so, the future does remain uncertain. Even if BCCI and ICC rake in record numbers, fans throng the stadiums the format is on its last straw. BCCI is without a home broadcaster after their deal with Disney Star expired in March. While the Indian board raked in Rs 118 Cr from 1 IPL match, it wants more than that for India Cricket Team matches.
However, Indian broadcasters are not “interested” in splashing out so much per game with diminishing viewership of ODIs and Tests. BCCI also had to reduce the base price for India Cricket Team sponsor to Rs 350 crore.
Why have the ODIs lost their charm?
- Longer duration
- Boring ‘middle overs’
- Lack of innovation, rigid gameplay.
- Two new balls, lopsided in the batter’s favour
- Rise of T20 leagues and money-making opportunities for players, boards.
Nonetheless, The richest cricket board has the money and the infrastructure to earn more than they spend on the sport. For boards like West Indies, Sri Lanka and South Africa, the task at hand is much more difficult.
While the ODI World Cup is still considered the holy grail in cricket, it is T20s that are being nominated in ICC’s bid for a place in the Olympics. The CWG and Asian Games have already inculcated the format. Furthermore, teams can play more than 2 T20s in the time it takes to finish an ODI. More games bring in more sponsors. The attractive nature of the shorter format also keeps the audience glued. The ODIs struggle to do in the middle overs phase of the innings.
In that sense, the bilateral ODI series have all lost meaning despite ICC’s one-off World Cup Super League. South Africa, chose to cancel an ODI series and risk being through the qualifiers to allow their stars to play in the SA20. Fortunately, the Proteas made it to the Top 8. Ireland, Sri Lanka and West Indies were not so lucky.
T20 Leagues schedule 2023-24
- July – August: Major League Cricket
- July August: Lanka Premier League
- August – September: Caribbean Premier League
- August – September: The Hundred
- December – January: Big Bash League
- January – February – SA20 2024
- January – February – ILT20 2024
- February – March – PSL 2024
- March-May – IPL 2024
With the IPL being the benchmark, other cricket boards have also begun their own T20 leagues to rake in money. The ILT20 and SA20 were major successes in their inaugural season. ECB launched The Hundred, while Australia has also invested more in the Big Bash League. USA joins the bandwagon with Major League Cricket starting next month. More T20 leagues mean, ODIs are getting squeezed out of the annual schedule.
With opportunities worldwide, players also no longer feel the pinch of losing a central contract. Trent Boult, James Neesham, and Jason Roy all gave up central contracts. Ben Stokes retired from ODIs to prolong his career in the two more important formats. India themselves opted to play most of their ODIs with Shikhar Dhawan as captain, who is out of favour for the World Cup 2023 squad.
A number of former and current cricketers have also suggested that the end of the ODIs is near. Ravi Shastri, Sachin Tendulkar and Ian Chappell are amongst the many that have pressed the lawmakers to save the format.
“For One Day cricket to survive, I think it should be reduced to forty over game in future. Evolve with the times. Reduce the format,” Shastri said.
“ODI format has lost its charm. We may see the last World Cup later this year or maybe one more after that,” Dinesh Karthik, who played the 2019 World Cup, said earlier this year.
Number of matches since 2019 World Cup
| Team | ODI | T20 |
| Afghanistan | 21 | 24 |
| Australia | 36 | 58 |
| Bangladesh | 42 | 65 |
| England | 37 | 64 |
| India | 54 | 84 |
| New Zealand | 37 | 75 |
| Pakistan | 28 | 80 |
| South Africa | 35 | 55 |
| Sri Lanka | 46 | 65 |
| Zimbabwe | 37 | 58 |
| West Indies | 54 | 69 |
There has only been a solitary 5-match ODI series between the 2019 World Cup and the 2023 World Cup. In contrast, the number stood at 42 between the 2015 and 2019 World Cups. Change is in order, and it is increasingly unlikely that the one-day format can sustain it longer.
Like Virat Kohli for Test cricket, ODIs need an ambassador. Perhaps, Babar Azam could be the one. But to save the format financially, it is only BCCI who can do it. Now, over to Jay Shah & Co to be the saviour.
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