The Future of ODIs in Post-COVID-19 Era

The International Cricket Council (ICC) will be discussing the future of One Day Internationals (ODIs) at their annual meeting in Durban, starting on Monday. The presence of a World Cup and Champions Trophy 2025 has made ODIs less relevant in the current climate, while the emergence of T20 leagues has made bilateral ODIs appear somewhat redundant.

ODIs in India

India is one of the few countries where a 50-over match can still draw a sell-out crowd, outside of major ICC events. With the introduction of T20 cricket, the bi-annual global event and the continuous leagues throughout the year, it is difficult to predict the future of the 5-match or 3-match bilateral series.

Broadcasters’ Focus

Broadcasters are more interested in focusing on big-ticket Test series and T20 series, as the seven-hour ODIs and the inconsequential bilateral events are no longer considered to be profitable. This is something that the member nations of the ICC need to seriously consider, according to an ICC board member who spoke to PTI.

Conclusion

It is clear that the future of ODIs in the post-COVID-19 era is uncertain, as the presence of T20 cricket and various leagues has made the format less viable. The ICC and its member nations need to carefully evaluate the situation in order to ensure that the format can still remain relevant in the future.