Is ODI Cricket Dying? The Debate Over 50-Over Cricket's Future
The debate about ODI cricket's relevance in the T20 era — declining TV ratings, the 2023 World Cup Final record crowd vs low bilateral series interest, the ICC's 2027 Future Tours Programme changes, arguments for keeping 50-over cricket (World Cup, day-night formats, nuanced tactics) vs arguments for replacement by T20 and Test cricket only.
ODI cricket (50-over per side) has faced sustained 'is it dying?' commentary since T20 cricket's global expansion after 2008. The concern: bilateral ODI series attract declining TV ratings and gate attendance in most markets; players in the T20 franchise era often prefer T20 contracts; and scheduling bilateral ODI series is increasingly difficult when ICC T20 World Cups, IPL, and Test series fill the annual calendar. Against this: the ODI World Cup every four years consistently produces the largest global cricket audience of any event; the format's tactical depth (powerplay, middle overs, death bowling) is different from both Tests and T20s.
The Case for ODI Cricket's Decline
Arguments that ODI cricket is declining in relevance: (1) TV ratings — bilateral ODI series between non-India teams attract minimal broadcast interest; a Bangladesh vs New Zealand 3-match ODI series in 2023 had minimal viewership outside those two countries; (2) Player prioritisation — elite players (especially fast bowlers) increasingly cite rest needs between Test series, meaning boards must choose between bilateral ODIs or player availability for Tests; Ben Stokes publicly retired from ODIs in 2022 specifically to extend his Test career; (3) ICC scheduling — the 2024-2027 FTP (Future Tours Programme) reduced bilateral ODI series compared to T20Is, reflecting board preferences for the shorter format; (4) Fan demographics — T20 leagues attract younger audiences more effectively; bilateral ODI series require a half-day commitment per match.
The Case for ODI Cricket's Survival
Arguments that ODI cricket remains important: (1) The ODI World Cup — the 2023 ODI World Cup Final (India vs Australia at Narendra Modi Stadium) attracted 93,000+ at the stadium and was broadcast to an estimated 300-400 million viewers — the largest single-day cricket broadcast audience in the modern era. The World Cup's 4-year cycle creates sustained interest; bilateral ODIs are stepping stones. (2) Tactical depth — ODI cricket's three distinct phases (powerplay, middle overs, death) with different bowling strategies, the role of a 'set' batsman, and target-setting/chasing psychology create tactical content absent from T20. (3) Player development — ODI batting (building innings across 300 balls, setting targets) develops skills that translate to Test cricket more directly than T20 slogging; losing ODI cricket would remove a developmental format. (4) Women's cricket — the ICC Women's Championship (bilateral ODI) remains central to women's cricket development.
What the ICC is Doing
The ICC's response to ODI decline concerns includes: (1) Future Tours Programme restructuring — reducing bilateral ODI fixtures in the 2024-2027 cycle for most bilateral series, with only World Cup qualification series guaranteed; (2) Super League qualification — the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League (2020-2023) used bilateral ODIs as qualification matches, giving every ODI genuine competitive stakes; (3) Day-night ODIs — scheduling more matches with day-night conditions to attract evening audiences and reduce heat concerns in tropical venues; (4) Format innovation discussion — the ICC has discussed but not committed to a 40-over per side variant as a compromise format. The consensus among cricket administrators in 2024: ODI cricket will survive primarily through its World Cup format, while bilateral ODI series continue declining in significance relative to T20Is and Test cricket.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Ben Stokes retire from ODI cricket?
Ben Stokes retired from ODI cricket in July 2022 citing physical workload — the full schedule of Tests, ODIs, and T20Is combined with IPL franchise cricket was not sustainable for his body. He specifically wanted to prioritise Test cricket longevity. Stokes was 31 when he retired from ODIs (while continuing Tests and T20Is) and had been England's vice-captain in the ODI format. The England setup under McCullum/Stokes from 2022 accepted his ODI retirement without pressure to return.
Is ODI cricket dying?
Bilateral ODI series are declining in commercial significance — lower TV ratings than bilateral T20Is in most markets, and reduced ICC scheduling in the 2024-2027 FTP cycle. However, the ODI World Cup (every 4 years) remains the largest cricket event by global viewership: the 2023 World Cup Final (93,000 stadium attendance, estimated 300-400M viewers) was the biggest single-day cricket broadcast in the modern era. ODI cricket is not dying — it is bifurcating: the World Cup remains massive; bilateral series are declining.
What is the ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP)?
The ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP) is a rolling 4-year schedule determining which cricket nations play bilateral series against each other, in which formats, and where. The FTP ensures all Full Member nations play regular international cricket. The 2024-2027 FTP reduced bilateral ODI fixtures compared to previous cycles, reflecting declining commercial interest in bilateral ODIs relative to T20Is. The FTP is negotiated by ICC member boards and reflects both commercial priorities (bilateral India series are most valuable) and competitive balance requirements.