ICC Annual Conference LIVE: World Cup 2023: THE END IS NIGH! At least some including former players think so about ODI cricket including former India coach Ravi Shastri. Ben Stokes’ shocking retirement from ODIs has created a storm. And it is likely to dominate the talks when top cricket administrators sit down in Birmingham for ICC Annual Conference this week. While ODI’s future looks sombre in England and South Africa, BCCI isn’t ready to give up yet. Rohit Sharma & Co are likely to play more ODIs than T20s to prepare for World Cup 2023 next year. Follow ICC Annual Conference LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) though isn’t letting the ODI format go. A senior BCCI official said ODI will continue to be one o the top priorities, especially with World Cup 2023 in India.
“In India, ODI is still one of the most favourite formats, especially with World Cup next year. There is no question of overlooking ODIs. We will play more ODIs next year. This year, we played more T20s as there is a T20 World Cup,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.
ICC Annual Conference LIVE: ODI cricket FACES slow DEATH but BCCI speaks in favor of One Day International Cricket at ICC Conference: Check Details
However, no sport has more than two formats apart from cricket. And the multiple versions of cricket and its demand have created a problem of scheduling. It has also brought up the case of prioritising one before another. While Test cricket continues to sustain despite T20’s popularity, ODI doesn’t get the same appreciation from cricketers and fans alike. R Ashwin said he would prefer the longest and shortest recognised formats over ODIs.
ICC Annual Conference LIVE: What has gone wrong with ODIs?
- Unlike T20s, the growth of ODIs has been rather stagnant and top players have even dumped the format.
- A classic example is West Indies. Even though Windies have played the most number of matches since 2019 WC final, players like Andre Russell and Sunil Narine amongst others haven’t played much ODIs.
- It has seen their performance dip significantly. The two-time world champions are on an eight-match losing streak in ODIs currently.
- The other reason for the drop in interest is the pace. It’s not as fast as T20s and it’s not as classic as Test.
- The almost 9-hour matches have fallen out of favours if India, Australia and England do not play.
- Since the 2019 World Cup, the 12 Test-playing nations have played just 157 ODIs and 265 T20s.
- Among the big three, only India have played 32 while Australia have played 24 and England have played 27.
- Another interesting factor is drop in TV ratings in ODIs compared to Tets and T20s.
ICC Annual Conference LIVE: ODI cricket FACES slow DEATH but BCCI speaks in favor of One Day International Cricket at ICC Conference: Check Details
“No, we haven’t seen any drop in interest in ODIs in India. But it has certainly been a factor in other countries. And if that is not the case, the sponsorship and advertising money have definitely seen a dip. But you also have to factor in Covid. There was no cricket for over 6 months,” the official said.
Hectic scheduling: However, above everything, scheduling is something that players have pointed out the most. Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and even Virat Kohli have talked about the overpouring scheduling.
“We are not cars. You can’t just fill us up and we’ll go out there and be ready to be fuelled up again. I just feel like there is too much cricket rammed in for people to play all three formats now. It is a lot harder than it used to be. I look back to when I used to do all three and it didn’t feel like it was as jam-packed and all that,” Ben Stokes said.
ICC Annual Conference LIVE: ODI cricket FACES slow DEATH but BCCI speaks in favor of One Day International Cricket at ICC Conference: Check Details
With over 50 matches a year across all three formats besides IPL, cricketers will now have to pick and choose formats. It will be up to the ICC and cricket boards to maintain a balance and manage the schedule. But some are in support of promoting young talents to play in less demanding fixtures.
Team India and England in recent times have had two teams simultaneously playing cricket in two different countries. India played England and Sri Lanka in 2021 and recently England and Ireland. England have played New Zealand and the Netherlands. In fact, to keep players fresh, India have gone on to use 7 captains in just 8 months.
“That is a possibility. You have to take care of the players as they are the ones who are helping all the boards earn. So yes, you have to take care of the star of game to protect the sport. People come to see them. And above all, you would not want Virat, Rohit or Buttler missing the mega events. So, that will be important,” the board official said.
🗣️ “The huge line in the sand this week has been Ben retiring [from ODI cricket] at the tender age of 31.”
Eoin Morgan, Michael Atherton, Mark Butcher, Ravi Shastri and Shaun Pollock discuss the future of the different formats of cricket 🏏 pic.twitter.com/719fHRhq58
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 22, 2022
“Something has to give and that is ODI cricket for me,” Ravi Shastri’s words were echoed by many including Shaun Pollack and Michael Atherton.
Even England’s World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan did not sound very optimistic. Shastri went on to say that even Hardik Pandya could take a call on his ODI future after World Cup 2023.
ICC Annual Conference LIVE: ODI cricket FACES slow DEATH but BCCI speaks in favor of One Day International Cricket at ICC Conference: Check Details
