Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed concerns about the ODI format’s long-term relevance. Ashwin believes that ODI cricket will struggle to survive once Indian greats Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli decide to call time on the format. Kohli and Rohit, both of whom have already retired from Tests and T20Is, now feature only in ODIs. Their continued presence has been a major draw for the 50-over format. In light of T20 cricket's growth and huge demand for Test cricket, the importance of 50-over cricket is fading.
“I am not sure about the future of ODI after the 2027 World Cup. I am a little worried about it. Of course, I am following the Vijay Hazare Trophy, but the manner in which I followed SMAT, I am finding it slightly difficult to follow,” said Ashwin on his YouTube channel.
“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,” said Ashwin, who also took 156 wickets in 116 ODIs.
Recently, Kohli and Rohit’s participation in India’s domestic Vijay Hazare Trophy drew a lot of attention, with fans thronging the stadiums to watch them play.
“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,” he said.
“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 stated.