ICC plans to shrink ODIs, launch new T20 club tournament, delimit format windows in major calendar overhaul

In a bid to safeguard the future of international cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly weighing a series of revolutionary changes to the global cricketing landscape. Among the major proposals being explored are a reduction in the length of One-Day Internationals (ODIs), the launch of a new global T20 tournament for franchise teams—evoking memories of the defunct Champions League T20, and the introduction of more continental tournaments similar to the Asia Cup. Furthermore, the governing body is looking into establishing dedicated, fixed windows for Tests, ODIs, and T20s to bring structure to an increasingly congested schedule.

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 ICC plots massive format windows and brand new Global T20 tournament

According to a report by The Guardian, these sweeping proposals will be thoroughly evaluated by all 12 full-member nations during the ICC's upcoming annual general meeting in Edinburgh. The recommendations stem from an ongoing, comprehensive "strategic review" conducted by McKinsey, a prominent American consulting firm hired by the ICC to evaluate the sport's health. By backing these progressive concepts, the ICC aims to ensure that all three formats of the game can co-exist and remain financially viable.

Despite boasting massive global popularity, cricket has long struggled to expand effectively beyond its traditional boundaries. While associate and smaller nations have shown immense potential and progress on the field, their long-term economic sustainability remains precarious. This fragility is heightened by the explosive growth of domestic T20 franchise leagues, which continue to aggressively cannibalize broadcasting revenue and fan attention at the expense of traditional Test and 50-over matches.

The pressure is most acutely felt by the ODI format, which many stakeholders and analysts predict will be the first casualty of the T20 boom. Because bilateral 50-over series often lack meaningful context and struggle to retain the attention of modern viewers, these proposed structural fixes are seen as a vital lifeline to reinvent and save the format before it becomes obsolete.

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Overhauling the ODI Framework and Reviving Bilateral Profits

To address the declining commercial value of the 50-over game, the ICC is evaluating radical adjustments that go beyond simple scheduling windows. One notable proposal involves drastically shortening the actual duration of ODIs. Additionally, administrators are considering a framework that would restrict the playing of bilateral ODIs exclusively to the 18-month window directly leading up to a 50-over World Cup. This targeted approach aims to rescue bilateral cricket from its current financial slump, as matchups that exclude the lucrative "Big Three"—India, England, and Australia—consistently struggle to turn a profit under the current system.

Expanding the World Test Championship Tier

The strategic review also outlines an ambitious growth plan for the longest format of the game. According to the report, the ICC is looking to expand the World Test Championship (WTC) from its current nine-team model to a 12-team tournament for the 2027–2029 cycle. This expansion would provide a massive boost to full members currently left on the fringes, putting Ireland, Zimbabwe, and Afghanistan in line to join the premium Test competition.

However, fans and players shouldn't expect an overnight transformation of the broader international calendar. The analysis indicates that the current Future Tours Programme (FTP) will remain intact until 2031, meaning any of these deeper structural changes would only begin to fully integrate into the sport after that cycle concludes.