World Cup: The future isn’t so tense for ODIs

Public enthusiasm was once tepid when the World Cup started, however India’s rollicking run to the overall, Afghanistan’s fairy-tale decimation of a few primary groups, Australia’s uncanny skill to unharness their highest within the knockouts & some memorable particular person performances ensured that the event picked up tempo & stored fanatics engaged. The 50-over layout is alive & kicking…
AHMEDABAD: Ticketing chaos.Visa problems for Pakistani fanatics and reporters. Last-minute time table adjustments. Despite a number of organizational blips, which integrated the event opener between England and New Zealand being performed to huge empty galleries on the Narendra Modi Stadium, the boys’s ODI World Cup 2023 appeared to have handed an acid check.
With inspirational performances from less-established groups like Afghanistan, who notched up 4 wins from 9 video games and beat 3 former global champions – England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka – and virtually beat Australia in Mumbai, the event picked up tempo and passion after the 1st week.

The Netherlands too shocked South Africa and that simplest added to the attract of the round-robin degree. While protecting champions England limped out of the development and did not make the semis, enjoying an uncharacteristically timid logo of cricket, sub-continental giants Pakistan, who performed on Indian soil for the 1st time in seven years, imploded as a result of their bowling.
Yes, the top was once bitterly disappointing for India as they misplaced to Australia through six wickets right here, however the way in which the host country performed until the semifinal, profitable 10 suits in a row, stored the anticipation and passion ranges top. The country was once hooked to Virat Kohli’s fiftieth ODI ton, that took him previous Indian nice Sachin Tendulkar. Also, in a land that has produced champion batters, it was once India’s bowlers – particularly the pacers – that led the fee to the overall.
While there have been many one-sided contests – thank you to groups with powerhouse batting lineups notching up massive ratings after which bowling aspects out cost effectively – the chance of observing a correct contest between bat and ball gained over. The thrill of observing established Test gamers achieve a layout this is being performed much less and not more – and therefore proving harder to crack – stored fanatics engaged.

The incontrovertible fact that gamers like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock crowned the run-scoring charts and bowlers like Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah featured within the top-wicket-taker’s charts confirmed that ODIs, as a layout, will also be mastered through gamers who’re at house in Test cricket.
With all bilateral ODIs being restricted to a most of three-match collection and multi-team tournaments like the yearly triangular in Sharjah or Australia vanishing from the calendars, T20 leagues have were given a possibility to mushroom and siphon off ability. Players like Kiwi pacer Trent Boult have opted to not signal a countrywide contract and switch a unfastened agent. Yet, country as opposed to country in a event that comes round as soon as in 4 years is what will get fanatics and gamers excited.
“That’s huge. The pinnacle of international cricket, winning a One-Day World Cup. Especially over here in India,” mentioned victorious Aussie skipper Pat Cummins and reiterated that he had “fallen in love with ODIs again” all through this World Cup.

There had been epic comebacks, like the only Australia staged on the Wankhede towards Afghanistan, as Glenn Maxwell, on one leg, smashed the first-ever double hundred in a run-chase. There had been close to heists like New Zealand staged towards the Aussies in Dharamshala, the place they just about chased down 388 and fell 5 runs quick, making sure bums on seats and eyes at the TV or cell phones.
That over 1,000,000 folks watched the sport from the stands in a event stretching to 48 suits proved that during India, ODI cricket nonetheless has relevance, particularly in event play. “I think the scenario where every game really matters, it does make it a bit different to just a bilateral ODI. The World Cup’s got such rich history, I’m sure it’s going to be around for a long time,” wired Cummins.
Before the overall towards Australia, India skipper Rohit Sharma too wired how he has grown up observing 50-over World Cups and the way this was once the largest tournament for him.

Former gamers like Ravi Shastri, regardless that, really feel that the layout is simply too lengthy and need ODIs lowered to 40 overs a facet. Sachin Tendulkar desires the 50-over layout to stick however desires it to be divided into 4 quarters of 25 overs each and every. However, Virender Sehwag, all through the ICC Hall of Fame awards in Mumbai ultimate fortnight, mentioned there was once no want to tinker with the layout.
“Why should the format be changed? If people want a shorter game, they can watch T20. Why destroy this format,” he requested.
The ICC assembly scheduled in Ahmedabad, the place the stakeholders will likely be discussing the way in which ahead for the ODIs, will be offering insights. Maybe, enjoying bilateral ODIs simplest within the yr of ODI World Cups may well be an concept they could need to believe.