The future of cricket is at a crossroads, and the ICC CEO, Sanjog Gupta, is sounding the alarm. In a recent interview, Gupta declared that the era of "randomly scheduled" bilateral series must come to an end, emphasizing the need for context, culture, competition, and competitiveness to sustain the sport. This bold statement comes as no surprise, given the evolving landscape of cricket and the increasing popularity of other formats like T20 leagues and the World Test Championship. But what does this mean for the much-debated ODI format? Gupta believes that ODIs can continue to thrive, especially when linked to the men's and women's World Cups. He argues that the format needs to stand for something and evolve, with a focus on participation and the four key drivers of attention and affiliation: context, culture, competition, and competitiveness. This perspective is particularly interesting given the recent criticism of the Super Series and Super 7 format changes for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Cricket Scotland and the Netherlands Cricket Board have slammed the new structure, which includes a tri-series for the 12th, 13th, and 14th qualifying teams, as unfair and potentially damaging to the growth of Associate cricket. The concerns are valid, as the format changes could create a divide between the top teams and the Associate nations, further marginalizing the smaller cricket-playing nations. But Gupta's argument for the survival of ODIs is not without merit. He highlights the passionate fan base that supports their teams in all formats, and the fact that ODIs have a unique place in the cricket calendar, especially when linked to the World Cup. Jonty Rhodes, a former South Africa captain and team-mate of Gupta, shares a similar view. Rhodes acknowledges the challenges that ODIs face with the rise of T20 leagues and the World Test Championship, but he also sees a future for 50-over cricket. He believes that the format might be in trouble, but it won't disappear entirely. Rhodes points out that the aggressive nature of Test cricket sometimes resembles T20, and he emphasizes the importance of passionate fans who support their teams across all formats. However, Rhodes also acknowledges the changing landscape of bilateral series, where 50-over cricket might not be the primary focus. He suggests that the future of cricket might involve fewer bilateral series with a strong emphasis on other formats. In conclusion, Gupta's statement about the end of randomly scheduled bilateral series is a call to action for the cricket world. It highlights the need for a strategic approach to the sport's future, with a focus on context, culture, competition, and competitiveness. While the Super Series and Super 7 format changes have sparked debate, they also present an opportunity to re-evaluate and improve the ODI format. The future of cricket is uncertain, but with a balanced approach that considers all formats and their unique roles, the sport can continue to thrive and captivate fans around the world.
