Post-2027 World Cup, Ashwin Predicts ODI Cricket’s Decline Towards Obsolescence

Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed skepticism about the future of One Day Internationals (ODIs) post the 2027 World Cup. He suggests that the growing popularity of T20 leagues and the annual marquee events pushed by the ICC have overshadowed ODIs, making the format almost obsolete.

Ashwin emphasizes that while Test cricket maintains its importance, ODIs are losing ground. In his Hindi YouTube channel, Ash Ki Baat, he mentioned, “I’m not certain about the prospects of ODI cricket after the 2027 World Cup. I have some concerns about its trajectory. Although I follow the Vijay Hazare Trophy, it’s not with the same interest as I have for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.”

Highlighting the role of star players in drawing fan interest, Ashwin pointed out the robust attendance during recent Vijay Hazare matches featuring Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who together boast an impressive 86 ODI centuries. “When Rohit and Virat played, it sparked people’s interest in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. While sports generally transcend individual players, their presence can reignite interest in the game,” he remarked, questioning what will happen once these players retire from ODIs.

Ashwin reminisced about the changing dynamics of ODI batting, citing how the format once produced players like Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who excelled at pacing an innings. “Previously, one-day cricket was fantastic because it allowed for players like MS Dhoni, who could patiently build an innings before accelerating. Such gameplay is now rare due to the format’s evolved rules, like two new balls and restricted field placements.”

He also urged the ICC to reflect on its scheduling strategy, which seems heavily focused on generating revenue through frequent global tournaments. “Currently, we see almost yearly ICC events, which contrasts with FIFA’s approach to hosting their World Cup every four years, adding to its prestige. Cricket has too many bilateral series, formats, and world tournaments, leading to viewer fatigue.”

As for solutions to revitalize ODIs, Ashwin mentioned that while some legends like Sachin Tendulkar have proposed split-innings, he believes condensing the 50-over format to a single event every four years might be beneficial. “To keep ODI cricket alive, perhaps focus on T20 leagues and limit the ODI World Cup to a quadrennial event, thereby maintaining public interest and expectation. Otherwise, ODIs may face a gradual decline.”

Published on January 1, 2026