Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed concern over the future of One-Day International (ODI) cricket, questioning whether the 50-over format will remain relevant beyond the 2027 World Cup. With T20 leagues growing in popularity and Test cricket retaining its traditional appeal, Ashwin believes ODIs are losing their space in the modern cricketing landscape.
Speaking on his Hindi YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin said, “I am not sure about the future of ODI after the 2027 World Cup. I am a little worried about it. Of course, I follow the Vijay Hazare Trophy, but compared to how I followed SMAT, I find it a bit difficult now.” He added, “Test cricket still has space, but I feel ODI cricket doesn’t.”
Ashwin highlighted the role of star players in keeping domestic one-day cricket in the spotlight. “Look, when Rohit and Virat returned to the Vijay Hazare Trophy, people started watching. Sport is always bigger than individuals, but sometimes you need players like them to make the game relevant,” he said. “Even then, what happens when they stop playing ODIs?”
Reflecting on the evolution of ODI batting, Ashwin said the 50-over format was once “amazing,” producing players like Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who could control innings and accelerate at the right moment. “One-day cricket once allowed players like Dhoni to take singles for 10–15 overs before going berserk at the end. Today, with two new balls and five fielders inside the circle, there isn’t much room for that style. Modern ODIs are either a ‘BashaThon’ or a collapse on a tricky wicket,” he explained.
Ashwin also criticised the crowded international calendar. “The ODI format has become redundant. The ICC needs to rethink how it schedules World Cups. Every year there’s an ICC event mainly for revenue, whereas look at FIFA — leagues like the EPL, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga operate regularly, and their World Cup comes once every four years. The World Cup then becomes a marquee event. Too many bilaterals, too many formats, too many World Cups — it’s overkill,” he said.
Looking ahead, Ashwin suggested a solution to revive interest in ODIs. “Some have proposed split-innings formats for one-dayers, but I feel we should focus on one 50-over event — the World Cup every four years. Let T20 leagues dominate the calendar, and the ODI World Cup will retain its value. Otherwise, the format is slowly dying,” he warned.