NEW DELHI: With the debate around the future of ODI cricket growing louder, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has offered a different and more optimistic perspective, calling for structural changes to keep the 50-over format relevant.
With the ICC ODI World Cup 2027 not too far away, Pathan feels ODI cricket will soon regain importance as teams begin preparations for the marquee event.
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Pathan backs more ODIs
Speaking on Star Sports, Pathan questioned the current scheduling pattern and suggested that longer series could help revive interest in the format.
“That’s why I am repeatedly saying one thing. Why can’t we have five ODIs instead of three?” Pathan said.
He also backed the idea of multi-team tournaments to add context and competitiveness to the format.
“Why can’t we have a triangular or quadrangular series? Why can’t we arrange that, because these two greats play only one format?” he added.
Star players driving ODI interest again
Pathan highlighted how the presence of senior players has helped bring focus back to ODI cricket in recent times.
“It won’t be wrong to say that if a lot of interest has returned to ODI cricket, these two have brought it,” Pathan said.
He further stressed that performances matter just as much as reputation when it comes to sustaining interest.
“The biggest thing is that they are also performing. The World Cup is far away, but the more we get to see them, the better it is,” he explained.
Regular cricket key
Pathan believes continued match exposure is crucial, both at the international and domestic level, to keep players sharp.
“These two players should keep playing, keep representing India,” he said.
“When they are not playing for India, they should keep playing domestic cricket because the more they play, the better it is,” Pathan added.
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