'It’s a boring format': Manjrekar Questions Relevance of ODIs, Says Interest Died '15 years' Ago

As T20 Cricket has concocted its roots deeply inside the cricket cosmos all eyes are on the 50-over format as questions on its relevance have been incessant. An argument that has remained intact for quite some time is how Test and T20 formats are enough to check all the facets of the game, with died-down interest in the 50-over theme working as a support to the case. Despite the global shunning, ICC has been persistent in keeping the format alive. However, the frequency of 50-over cricket has depleted to a new low.

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Sanjay Manjrekar On The Future of ODI Cricket

There have been polarising opinions on the future of 50-over cricket, many experts believe that the format has completely lost its relevance in the current age, whereas, those fans who have grown up watching the 50-over tussle between teams, advocate the continued presence of the strata of the sport. One of the popular voices of the game, Sanjay Manjrekar has voiced his opinion on the future of ODI cricket, and it is safe to state that he is no longer the promoter of the format.

“The problem with one-day cricket is actually the World Cups. Because every time you’ve had that World cup ever four years its turned out to be a hit event, and the kind of matches we have had, viewership would have hit the roof in the last two finals ... the bilaterals, there is no interest there, it’s a boring format ... I was put off 50 overs cricket 15 years back”, he remarked during a conversation on SportifyWithPRG.

According to the former India cricketer, the World Cup is the last shining tributary of the format, which attracts eyeballs, but when it comes to bilateral series the interest is not there anymore.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is slated to be held in Pakistan in February 2025, is the next multinational 50-over tournament in sight. The tournament's success or failure will apparently impact the future of the format.