Future of One-Day Cricket Hinges on India’s Decision, Says Steve O’Keefe Amid Growing T20 Dominance
Steve O’Keefe discusses the future of One-Day cricket, emphasizing India’s pivotal role amid the growing prominence of T20 formats.
Former Australian cricketer Steve O’Keefe has voiced his belief that the future of One-Day cricket rests solely on India’s willingness to continue participating in the format. He expressed concerns that the allure of T20 cricket’s lucrative financial rewards may eventually render 50-over cricket obsolete.
The 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup is set to commence, featuring a highly-anticipated rematch of the epic 2019 final between England and New Zealand in Ahmedabad. However, the tournament seems to lack the same level of excitement and buzz as previous editions.
Amidst questions about the future of ODI cricket, Mark Nicholas, the newly appointed MCC President, recently suggested that 50-over matches should be reserved exclusively for World Cups, advocating for the elimination of bilateral and tri-series games.
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“I understand the sentiment expressed by Nicholas. Ultimately, the fate of One-Day cricket will be determined by India and their cricket board, as T20 cricket is where the majority of revenue is generated. If India continues to support One-Day cricket, it will endure,” O’Keefe commented.
With a crowded international cricket calendar and the proliferation of T20 leagues worldwide, O’Keefe highlighted the growing preference for T20 formats. He cited the example of South Africa, which has its own T20 league and has prioritized it over playing Test matches in New Zealand.
O’Keefe’s remarks come as Australia prepares to kickstart its Men’s ODI World Cup campaign against hosts India in Chennai on October 8. “In a way, this situation serves as a litmus test for cricket. T20 leagues are attracting fans and television viewership, aligning with what audiences desire. Cricket needs to adapt to these changing dynamics, as youngsters seek shorter, high-intensity cricket experiences, making T20 the preferred format. We can expect more countries to establish their own T20 tournaments,” he concluded.