Hardik Pandya Picture Credit: BCCI
Ben Stokes, with his decision to retire from ODIs to prolong his career in the other two formats, has sparked a debate on what the future will look like. While many are claiming that ODI cricket may get limited only to World Cups, some are predicting which players may skip playing the 50-over format. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has claimed that India all-rounder Hardik Pandya may also walk away from ODI cricket after the 2023 World Cup.
Talking about the future of ODI cricket, Shastri suggested that the only way to save the 50-over format is focusing on World Cups. He then talked about how players will start prioritizing formats with so much cricket being played around and cited the example of Hardik Pandya. Shastri predicted that Pandya might want to stay till the 2023 World Cup but his focus beyond that will only be on playing T20Is.
"50-over format might be pushed back but it can still survive if you focus just on the World Cup. From the ICC's point of view, paramount importance should be given to World Cups, whether it is T20 World Cup or 50-over World Cup, the bucks have to increase. Test cricket will always remain because of the importance it brings to the game. You have players already choosing what formats they want to play. Take a Hardik Pandya. He wants to play T20 cricket and he is very clear in his mind that 'I do not want to play anything else," said Shastri.
"He will play the 50-over cricket because there is a World Cup in India next year. After that, you might see him going from that as well. You will see a similar thing happening with other players, they will start choosing formats, they have every right to," the ex-cricketer added.
Franchise cricket is ruling the roost: Shastri
The 60-year-old also shed light on franchise cricket ruling world cricket and also weighed on the fact that it is going to be the same in the coming years. Shastri then suggested that different cricket boards and the global cricket governing body must cut the volume of bilateral cricket being played.
"It is franchise cricket that is ruling the roost and it will rule the roost. So do not wait for it to happen, then you get on your high horse and ask what should we do? It would be too late, it is going to happen, there is going to be franchise cricket that is going to rule the roost around the world. Then how will you have international cricket? You will have to cut the volume, you have to cut bilateral cricket, and go in that direction. You will never be able to stop different players going and playing for different franchises," he said.