Ashwin expressed concerns about the balance between bat and ball in ODIs.
Ashwin suggested that the format might be revived by using red ball instead of white, emphasizing the fading role of reverse swing and finger spin.
Ashwin’s suggestion came amid the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, currently being held in Pakistan and Dubai.
“Before this Afghanistan versus England match I was wondering whether there is any future for ODI cricket,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
"Let’s be very honest with it. In T20Is, there is so much crowd, and consumption is high because it ends inside four hours. I feel Test cricket will excel more once the first-class structure of teams like Afghanistan will improve."
Observing the ongoing Champions Trophy, Ashwin called the format "monotonous" and questioned its significance in modern-day cricket.
“But in ODI there is no contest. Until 2013-14 ODI cricket was played with one ball. Before 2015, the new rule was implemented where five fielders were allowed in the circle and two balls were introduced. I think in many ways that rule was to nullify India’s spin domination. That is just my take,” Ashwin stated.
“I think that is impacting the game massively. Because reverse swing is gone from the game now. Role of finger spin was also reduced."
“The 50 over World Cup (2027) in South Africa is going to be a real challenge for the ICC. It is at the brink of a decision being made. Because the game is going so slow. It’s meandering along. I have a question in my mind that is there a place for 50 overs in today’s cricket? Until this Afghanistan vs England game, this Champions Trophy was just so monotonous,” he further remarked.
Ashwin proposes a radical solution to revitalize the 50-over format. “There used to be a time where one-day used to be play with the red ball. It is time to seriously give it a thought about this particular format of the game,” he said.