Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has sparked a major debate in the cricketing world by questioning the long-term viability of One-Day International (ODI) cricket, particularly beyond the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
Speaking on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’ in early 2025, Ashwin expressed deep worries about the current state of the 50-over format. He pointed to dwindling interest, fewer scheduled matches, and structural changes that have tilted the balance heavily in favor of batsmen.
“The game is moving too slowly; it’s meandering along. I keep wondering—does ODI cricket still have a place in today’s game?” Ashwin remarked.
The veteran off-spinner highlighted specific rule changes introduced around 2013–15, including:
- The use of two new balls per innings (one from each end, replaced after 25 overs each)
- Restricting teams to only four fielders outside the 30-yard circle during the middle overs (11–40), making run-scoring easier for batters
According to Ashwin, these changes have eliminated reverse swing and diminished the role of finger spinners, making contests increasingly one-sided.
Ashwin even alleged that these rules were brought in to counter India’s historical dominance in spin bowling during the middle overs.
“Reverse swing is gone from the game now. The role of finger spin has also been reduced,” he stated.
“In T20Is, there is so much crowd engagement because the game ends in four hours. Test cricket will thrive with better structures, but in ODIs, there is no real contest.”
Ashwin warned that the upcoming 2027 World Cup would pose a “real challenge” for the International Cricket Council (ICC), as the format stands “at the brink of a decision being made.”
He suggested drastic reforms to revive the 50-over game, including reverting to a single red ball, as used in earlier eras, to restore balance between bat and ball.
The concerns come amid a broader trend: only a limited number of ODIs are scheduled among full ICC members in 2025 and beyond, with T20 leagues dominating global attention and player priorities.
Ashwin’s comments have reignited discussions about the format’s relevance, especially after high-scoring, predictable encounters in recent tournaments like the 2025 Champions Trophy.
As cricket continues to evolve, Ashwin’s call for introspection is timely. Whether the ICC heeds his suggestions remains to be seen, but the 2027 World Cup could indeed serve as a defining moment for ODI cricket’s future.
