In a candid and compelling assessment that has sent ripples through the cricketing world, India’s most astute cricket pundit and legendary off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, has painted a grim picture for the future of One-Day International (ODI) cricket. Voicing his concerns on his Hindi YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’, Ashwin unequivocally stated that the format is ‘going towards slow death’, particularly after the 2027 World Cup, once its bona fide greats, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, decide to call time on their illustrious careers.

The Irreplaceable Void: Kohli and Rohit’s Enduring Relevance

Ashwin’s analysis centers heavily on the unparalleled impact of two of modern cricket’s biggest icons: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. With a staggering combined total of 86 ODI centuries, their presence on the field not only dictates the game’s narrative but also pulls in millions of eyeballs. Ashwin observed, ‘Look, Rohit and Virat came back to Vijay Hazare Trophy and people started watching it. We have known that sport is always bigger than individuals but at times these players (Ro-Ko) need to come back to make the game relevant.’

This insight underscores a critical vulnerability within the ODI ecosystem. While domestic tournaments like the Vijay Hazare Trophy are essential for identifying talent, their ability to captivate a mass audience often hinges on the participation of superstars. Ashwin mused, ‘Vijay Hazare Trophy (national one-dayers), of course, is a domestic competition that not a lot of people follow, but they did (so now) because Virat and Rohit were playing. Even then, what happens when they stop playing ODIs?’ This question looms large, suggesting that the format’s current relevance might be disproportionately tied to a handful of exceptional individuals rather than its intrinsic appeal.

Shrinking Space: T20’s Hegemony and Test Cricket’s Niche

Beyond the individual brilliance of players, Ashwin points to a broader structural issue: the increasingly crowded and competitive cricket calendar. The relentless expansion of T20 leagues globally, offering lucrative contracts and non-stop entertainment, has undeniably captured a significant share of fan attention and commercial investment. Simultaneously, Test cricket, the format’s oldest and purest form, has carved out its ‘own currency’, particularly with the advent of the World Test Championship, appealing to purists and those who appreciate its strategic depth and enduring narratives.

In this evolving landscape, Ashwin believes the 50-overs format is struggling to find its unique selling proposition. ‘I am not sure about future of ODI after 2027 World Cup. I am a little worried about it… I feel Test cricket still has space but ODI cricket, I truly feel (it) doesn’t have the space,’ he stated categorically. The T20 format’s instant gratification and Test cricket’s timeless drama seem to leave the ODI format in a precarious middle ground, often feeling neither fast enough for the modern fan nor nuanced enough for the traditionalist.

The Changing Template of ODI Batting: From Dhoni’s Craft to ‘BashaThon’

Ashwin, a veteran of 765 international wickets across formats, also lamented the transformation in ODI batting, which he believes has eroded the format’s strategic appeal. He recalled a golden era when ‘One-day cricket, once upon a time, was an amazing format because it gave a player like MS Dhoni who (would) take singles for 10-15 overs before he went berserk at the end.’

This methodical approach, blending accumulation with explosive hitting, seems to be a relic of the past. Modern ODI cricket, heavily influenced by T20 tactics, is now often played in ‘two gears’. Ashwin noted, ‘You don’t have players like that (Dhoni) anymore and there isn’t any requirement to play like that, as you are playing with two new balls and five fielders inside circle.’ The introduction of two new balls from either end and stringent field restrictions encourages an aggressive, boundary-laden approach from the outset, often leading to either a ‘BashaThon’ (an extremely high-scoring game) or, on slightly difficult wickets, teams ‘getting out for 120’. This shift, while exciting for some, might have inadvertently removed the strategic ebb and flow that once defined the format, making it less distinct from its shorter counterpart.

ICC’s Calendar Conundrum: Too Many World Cups, Too Little Value?

As one of the leading voices in the game, Ashwin also urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to critically re-evaluate its calendar, even while acknowledging the importance of revenue generation for the sport’s global health. ‘The ODI format has become redundant and to top it, ICC needs to see how they are conducting these World Cups. Every year, there is an ICC tournament for revenue generation pattern, but then look at how FIFA is doing it,’ he argued.

Drawing a clear parallel, Ashwin highlighted how football’s premier leagues (EPL, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga) thrive alongside a quadrennial FIFA World Cup, which retains immense value as a marquee tournament. In contrast, cricket’s packed schedule, with ‘Too many bilaterals, too many formats, too many World Cups,’ creates ‘little bit of an overkill.’ This overabundance, he suggests, dilutes the prestige and scarcity value of what should be marquee events. He even expressed concern that matches in the upcoming T20 World Cup, such as India versus USA and India versus Namibia, could ‘drive the audiences away’ due to perceived mismatches or lack of competitive balance.

Ashwin’s Radical Solution: Preserve the World Cup, Discard the Rest?

Faced with this existential crisis, Ashwin proposes a drastic, yet thought-provoking, solution for the format’s survival. While some, like legendary Sachin Tendulkar, have suggested alternative formats such as a split-innings approach for ODIs, Ashwin’s vision is simpler and more radical: ‘If you really want to make ODI cricket relevant, then just play these (T20s) leagues and play ODI World Cup once in four years, so when people turn up for events, there will be sense of expectation.’

This approach would essentially elevate the ODI World Cup to an almost mythical status, a rare and eagerly anticipated spectacle that truly embodies the pinnacle of the 50-overs game. By stripping away the numerous bilateral series and focusing solely on the flagship event, the format’s prestige and relevance might be salvaged. However, such a move would have profound implications for player development pathways, the financial models of smaller cricketing nations, and the overall rhythm of international cricket.

The Road Ahead: An Urgent Call for Reimagination

Ravichandran Ashwin’s ‘slow death’ prophecy for ODI cricket is not just a lament; it’s an urgent call for introspection and radical reimagination. As breaking news analysis suggests, his concerns resonate with many within the cricketing fraternity who observe the changing consumption habits of fans and the relentless commercial pressures driving the sport. The departure of titans like Kohli and Rohit will undoubtedly leave an enormous void, but the underlying issues of format relevance, scheduling fatigue, and evolving playing styles demand immediate and decisive action. Whether the ICC and cricket boards can find a way to breathe new life into the 50-overs game, or if Ashwin’s grim prediction indeed comes to pass, remains one of cricket’s most pressing questions.

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