Time to kill ODI cricket

The Champions Trophy is afoot. 8 teams are battling it out against each other in the land of the English. India have, so far, looked the best team. Two guys with similar facial hair are in contention for the Man of the Series award. There’s still a long way to go, but Shikhar Dhawan and Ravindra Jadeja have a head start. Mitchell McClenaghan of New Zealand is running alongside them. He has picked up 8 wickets in two games and has looked quite impressive. Lasith Malinga almost won Sri Lanka the match against New Zealand with his 4 wickets. Today, against England he needs to back that solid performance with another one. Ian Bell will be looking to do the same for England. Grace was his blanket as he stroked his way to a classy 91 against Australia.

The above-mentioned moments came over a period of 7 days in which 7 matches were played. The matches were of the 50-over persuasion – the one that seems to be 60 overs too many and 4 days too few. The middle one in a family of three.

Like clockwork, after the IPL, the existence of the 50-over format seems redundant. The format still does provide few exciting moments. Unfortunately, as the players trudge through the formality of the middle overs, these moments are far too few and divided by a time frame that seems unnecessary.

From 40 8-ball overs, 60 6-ball overs to 50 overs, one-day internationals have seen its rules being changed time and time again. Some changes were inconsequential like coloured clothing, while some influenced the game greatly, like field restrictions. The changes incorporated could be seen as a sign of the changing times and trends. In 2013, when action needs to be fast and continuous, ODIs are still undergoing changes. The number of fielders allowed outside the 30 yard circle has changed.

However, these cosmetic changes have hardly piqued the fan’s interest.

Watching one’s own country’s match ball-by-ball seems tedious, let alone another country’s. ‘In between periods’ of brief staring at the TV do occur. The occasional swiping of the smart phone to check the score also does happen. Yet somehow, the enthusiasm and verve are missing. Is it the format or just the tournament? Or is T20 not simply a different entity but the next step in evolution of ODIs?

The rules in T20 are similar to ODI cricket. Only the number of overs has been reduced. Perhaps that is exactly what ODI cricket needs. Using completely confusing ‘Inception’ logic, ‘T20 cricket is ODI cricket in its strongest phase of evolution, given the current time period. Hence, ODI cricket is no longer needed.’

Instead of holding onto ODI cricket for the sense of nostalgia it provides, it’s time to take the old cow to the farm all old animals go to. T20 gives the people what they want and takes away what they do not.

ODI cricket no longer provides the battle between bat and ball Test cricket provides. Nor is it short enough for working people to watch at the stadium. A slow and low scoring game becomes 50 overs of mundane cricket ; bordering on the lines of drivel.

ODI cricket does not have much to offer anymore. It is time to kill ODI cricket and move on.