Cricket World Cup 2023 is less than seven months away, and while the tournament is going to be a 50-over affair, former Indian coach Ravi Shastri feels that ODIs should be reduced to 40-over game for it to survive in the future.
“For One-day cricket to survive, I think it should be reduced to 40-over game in future.”
“The reason I say this is because when we won the World Cup in 1983, it was a 60-over (a side) game. Then the attention span of the people diminished and it became a 50-over game. I think the time has come for it to become now a 40-over game. Evolve with the times. Reduce the format,” added Shastri.
Ravi Shastri also said that the T20 format will continue to bring cash into the game, though he wants bilateral T20I series to be reduced.
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“T20 format I think is the key. It is the injection the game needs to evolve. It’s the cash cow for the sport. But I think there also the bilaterals (series) should be reduced. There are enough domestic leagues around the world that promote the T20 game.
“We should let those leagues happen and then have a World Cup, just in between. Very few bilaterals, if needed before a World Cup or something of that sort. Then you can sustain all three formats,” added Shastri.
The former player added that Test cricket will continue to enjoy its pride of place as it was the “real thing”.
“Test cricket will remain Test cricket and it should be given paramount importance. It’s the real thing. I think there’s a place for all formats within India. Especially in the subcontinent. Especially in places like Australia.”