Picture Credit: X
After the opening fixture of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, which was held between hosts Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi grabbed several eyeballs with empty stands, the second match of the tournament, which is currently underway at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai between India and Bangladesh also disappointed.
The lack of spectators in the crucial match between Asian countries, India and Bangladesh also saw several fans take to social media to criticise the authority of an ICC event as well as raised questions of the fifty over format. Among many, the first Chairman of the reputed T20 league, the Indian Premier League (IPL), Lalit Modi also shared his views and questioned the relevancy of the format.
Is the one day format becoming irrelevant to the fans?: Lalit Kumar
Taking to X, the former IPL Chairman Lalit Modi wrote, “Watching the @ICC champions trophy cricket match between #india and #bangladesh. Stands are empty That would not happen at an #ipl game. Is the one day format becoming irrelevant to the fans ? What’s your view ? Should one day cricket be scrapped and more test cricket ?”
Lalit Modi further went on to compare it with the IPL, opining that this would not be seen in the cash-rich league as it is a fast-paced game while adding that ODIs could be scrapped going forward.
Speaking of the Bangladesh versus India match, the Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and elected to bat first. While the side was reeling at 35/5 inside the first powerplay, Towid Hridoy and Jaker Ali stitched the highest sixth wicket for the country to keep the scoreboard ticking and help the Bangla Tigers go past 200 runs.
