Future of One-Day International depends on World Cup 2011

Just as the much awaited world cup is about to begin we are bound to reflect on the changing patterns in one-day international’s over a period of 36 years ( first Cricket World Cup was organised in England in 1975). Since India’s dark exit in world cup’o7 nothing’s been the same again. And by the time the World Cup ends in April, be sure of the readings which will be taken about the future of one day international, about its capacity to survive as a viable format between the purism of Tests and the diffused loyalties of T20′s.

The Indian cricket team after winning semifinal of T20 World Cup in 2007

Ever since the first world cup in 1975, the tournament has served as the standard by which to announce a teams claims to supremacy in cricket. But with the onset of T20′s in 2007, cricket fans have diverted their interests from one day’s to T20′s. T20 not only came along and revealed the cricket’s major weakness,which was the lack of the time but also involved cricketers with specialized skills and henceforth made a mark. People do not have eight hours of a weekday to watch a 50- over match, as a result T20′s gained popularity and were well accepted. While the one day centric world cup is stretched ever more in duration, and not just to Kevin Pietersen’s dismay, T20 may soon be imported at the big and time- sensitive multinational events.

Of course, the ICC cricket World Cup remains the flagship event of cricket and being held in India is a bonus. But as the competition unfolds these coming weeks , it will be interesting to reassess the skills that keep it apart. Its seen that both the Tests and and T20′s cannot afford one day’s tolerance for bits and pieces players. Proposed by Stuart Robertson, head of marketing, England, and marketed beyond recognition by the Indian cricket board, the most attractive element of T20 cricket has been its unpredictable nature. T20 leagues have seen a different winner each year (Rajasthan Royals won the inaugural edition of IPL followed by Deccan Chargers the next year) which creates excitement and prevents the monotonous effect of the game thus making the game popular among the masses.

One-day’s may well survive, for all the overstated defence of Fifty50 cricket which they should. But it will have to be more than the contention that they are a mean between T20′s and Tests. The six weeks ahead will be a good time to judge what separates them from a golden age of tests and the ascendance of T20′s.

Here’s wishing Indian Team Good luck for the World Cup.