A discussion on the future of ODIs will take place at the annual ICC Meeting in Durban starting on Monday. Despite a World Cup on the horizon and the Champions Trophy 2025 set in stone, the ODIs thus have lost some relevance in the post-COVID-19 era. The growing amount of T20 leagues has further made bilateral ODIs to put it lightly, unnecessary.
Only nations like India can still get a sell-out crowd for a 50-over match outside of major ICC events like the World Cup and the Champions Trophy. The future of the five-match or three-match bilateral series can’t be predicted with the introduction of T20 cricket, a worldwide event that occurs every two years, and leagues all year long.
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“Even potential broadcasters want the focus to be on big-ticket Test series and T20 series. The seven-hour ODIs and the inconsequential bilateral events are no longer money spinners. The member nations need to deliberate hard on that aspect,” an ICC board member told PTI.
“Case in point was a 50-over series between England and Australia right after the T20 World Cup last year. Very few remember what happened. The recall value of bilateral ODIs is becoming lesser,” he added.
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.
The upcoming FTP cycle 2023-27 FTP cycle sees T20Is dominate over ODIs. The disparity is likely to be greater when the boards sit for talks for the 2028-32 FTP cycle.
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