With the increasing popularity of T20 leagues and T20Is, clouds are hovering over the future of ODI cricket. Many feel that the 50-over format is time consuming and want the ICC to completely get rid of it.
England Test skipper Ben Stokes’ retirement from ODIs last month also added fuel to the fire, with many suggesting that the 50-over format badly needs an alteration to attract the audience once again.
Amid the debate, India skipper Rohit Sharma has come out in support of ODI cricket, in which he has slammed three double centuries.
"Mera naam hi One-day cricket se bana hai (I owe my fame to One-Day cricket). Sab bekar ki baatein hai (all this talk about ODIs being outdated is futile). People were earlier talking (similarly) about Test cricket. For me, cricket is important - whatever be the format. I would never say that ODI is getting finished or T20 is getting finished or Tests are nearing an end. I wish there is another format as well, because for me, playing the game is most important. Since childhood, we dreamt of playing the game for India and in my mind. Whenever we play ODIs, stadiums are full, the excitement remains high. It's an individual choice as to which format to play or not, but for me, all three formats are important," Rohit said while addressing the media on Wednesday (August 17).
Recently, multiple IPL franchises bought teams in the upcoming T20 leagues in South Africa and UAE. It is now being feared that the players would prefer playing in these private leagues rather than representing their country.
Commenting on the same, Rohit said that for him and the rest of the Indian cricketers "playing for the country matters the most."
"I don't know what people are thinking about playing leagues over international cricket. There will be ten more leagues, but in the coming years, we will get to know what the players prefer. But as of now, the situation of Indian cricket remains the same - we play the IPL, the international cricket. The guys are getting exposure and our aim is to create bench strength, so that's why in Zimbabwe, there are a lot of players who are touring for the first time - be it Shahbaz Ahmed, Rahul Tripathi - and it is a good exposure. They are really talented, they will grab the opportunity. It's about getting the confidence at this stage, which I am sure they will learn," he stated.
Rohit Sharma has been rested from India’s three-match ODI tour of Zimbabwe, starting August 18. He will return to lead the side in the upcoming Asia Cup 2022, slated to get underway on August 27 in UAE.
Team India will open their Asia Cup 2022 campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on August 28 in Dubai.
(With TOI inputs)
