Rohit, Virat need to come back to make...': R Ashwin announces death of ODI cricket after 2027 World Cup

India cricket legend Ravichandran Ashwin fears that ODI cricket has quite a bleak future after the 2027 World Cup, citing a drop in audience interest. He pointed out that the fifty-over format’s current popularity is largely thanks to the return of stars like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, and wondered who would keep it relevant once they retire.

Ashwin on ODI future

Ashwin noted that while Test cricket is seen as the oldest and most “pure” form of the game, and T20Is thrive because of their fast pace and global leagues, ODIs are caught in the middle. Unlike the World Test Championship, where every Test has meaning on the way to a final, bilateral ODIs often feel like standalone matches.

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“I am not sure about future of ODI after 2027 World Cup," Ashwin said on his Hindi YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’. “I am a little worried about it. Of course, I am following Vijay Hazare Trophy but the manner in which I followed SMAT, I am finding slightly difficult to follow. Also, we need to know what audience wants to watch. I feel Test cricket still has space but ODI cricket, I truly feel (it) doesn’t have the space."

Ashwin on Rohit, Virat's presence in ODIs

The Andhra Pradesh Cricket Association recently revealed that ticket sales for the Vizag ODI against South Africa only picked up after Virat Kohli scored a century in Ranchi against South Africa. This shows that India’s biggest stars still have the power to draw crowds, even as interest in regular bilateral ODIs declines. A similar pattern was seen in domestic cricket, with Rohit Sharma attracting large audiences in Jaipur, while Kohli’s matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy were played with very few spectators.

“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. 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?" Ashwin wondered.

India's upcoming ODI future

India will now face New Zealand in the three-match ODI series, which is scheduled to start from January 11.