Is this the last ICC Cricket World Cup? Will the ODI survive in the future?
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 is taking place in India —
the number 1 cricket-crazy nation but astonishingly — the excitement is lesser
than the previous editions — 1987, 1996, and 2011. This scenario doesn’t give a
satisfactory picture for the 50-over format because India’s interest in a
format determines the future.
Whether you and many others may not like but India controls
cricket - The British may have introduced Twenty20 — India made the format a
brand and source of huge income for the cricketers around the world.
The Indian Premier League started with a bang in 2008 to my
utter dissatisfaction but in reality, it will only get bigger and longer.
The demand for IPL is humungous among the Indian fans and
cricketers — the cricketers don’t mind skipping national duties for a full-time
at IPL as they have the back of the most powerful board — BCCI.
Keeping such things in mind, playing at least 50 matches a
year instead of 15 would offer more and more cash. This expansion of IPL is not
far away and automatically, the ICC — International Cricket Council would be
forced to modify the FTP where the existence of ODI would be harder.
Every nation wants a league that would ensure security for
them — the List A matches are failing terribly.
The longer format first-class matches still have importance
because Test cricket still exists strongly courtesy of the demand of the Ashes
and India’s interest in the 5-day format hasn’t waned yet.
The bilateral ODIs are hardly generating any eyeballs which
are ultimately hampering the market. The top teams don’t like using their main
players, crowds and ratings are down.
Meanwhile, Twenty20 helps you get more money because people
watch more of the games and one every night is a good option.
The space for the 50-over format is squeezing each day and
there may come a day when the people sitting at the top may scrap this format
and T20 and Tests may survive.
Again, the T20 World Cup may take place every four years
rather than two and distribute the workload among players.
Against the backdrop of this scenario, ICC Cricket World Cup
2023 will commence today and for survival, this event has to strike the right
chord and despite proving it’s worth time and again, yet again, this format,
has to prove itself.
Still in the topsy-turvy world of cricket commerce — the forecast is not good.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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