There was a time when the Cricket World Cup felt truly special, an event that arrived once every four years and built anticipation over time. Fans waited eagerly, collecting memories and marking their calendars months in advance. In recent years, however, that magic appears to have faded, with ICC tournaments now becoming an almost annual affair, leading many to feel that international cricket has lost its sense of occasion.
Ravichandran Ashwin questions ICC calendar, takes a dig at Jay Shah
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has echoed this growing frustration, openly questioning the ICC’s packed calendar and taking a pointed dig at ICC chairman Jay Shah. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin suggested that the frequent staging of global events has diluted excitement, particularly around the T20 World Cup.
“No one is going to watch the ICC T20 World Cup this time,” Ashwin remarked bluntly. “Matches like India vs USA or India vs Namibia actually pull you away from the tournament. The excitement just isn’t there anymore.”
Ashwin reminisced about earlier editions of the World Cup, recalling how the tournament once felt like a festival. “Back in 1996, 1999 and 2003, when I was in school, the World Cup came once every four years. We collected World Cup cards, printed schedules and waited for it. That anticipation used to build naturally,” he said.
He also pointed out how competitive matchups were introduced much earlier in past tournaments. India would face teams like England or Sri Lanka in the first round itself, which made it even more thrilling. Today, that sense of anticipation is missing,” Ashwin added.
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Do Ravichandran Ashwin’s words reflect fan sentiment?
Since 2010, ICC events have become increasingly frequent, with almost every year, barring 2018, hosting a major tournament. The trend has continued into the current decade. The T20 World Cup scheduled for 2020 was postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by another T20 World Cup in 2022.
In 2023, India hosted the ODI World Cup, which was quickly followed by the 2024 T20 World Cup. The Champions Trophy took place in 2025, and fans are now set to witness yet another World Cup in 2026.
Viewed in that context, Ashwin’s criticism appears to resonate with a section of the cricketing audience. With ICC tournaments arriving in rapid succession, the novelty has arguably worn off, leaving many fans longing for the anticipation and exclusivity that once defined the World Cup.
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