Hardik Pandya might retire from ODIs after 2023 World Cup: Ravi Shastri

Former Indian coach Ravi Shastri has said that Hardik Pandya might retire from ODIs after next year’s World Cup in India. The ex-Indian cricketer stated that players might start preferring one format over the other in the future.

Ben Stokes’ decision to retire from ODIs has caused a stir in the cricketing world as many players believe that they are being overcooked due to a hectic international calendar, and the frequency of bilateral ODI series is not helping their cause either. Playing all three formats is becoming increasingly strenuous for the players, and it might not be long before players decide to quit one format in favor of the others.

Shastri gave his opinion on the matter, stating that Pandya might shift his focus to T20 cricket. The former Indian cricketer also stated that not only Pandya, but a host of other players will start choosing formats, to which they are entitled.

“Test cricket will always remain because of the importance it brings to the game. You have players already choosing what formats they want to play. Take a Hardik Pandya. He wants to play T20 cricket, and he is very clear in his mind that ‘I do not want to play anything else. He will play 50-over cricket because there is a World Cup in India next year. After that, you might see him going from that as well. You will see a similar thing happening with other players, they will start choosing formats, and they have every right to,” Shastri was quoted by India Today.

You will have to cut the volume, you have to cut bilateral cricket: Ravi Shastri

Shastri also said that it is an irrefutable fact that franchise cricket will dominate in the future if it isn’t ruling the roost already. The magnitude of cricket will have to be looked at, especially bilateral cricket, as there is no stopping cricketers from playing in global domestic leagues. Unless the boards across the globe decide to cut down on international cricket, cricketers will continue their exodus from certain formats.

“It is going to happen, there is going to be franchise cricket that is going to rule the roost around the world. Then how will you have international cricket? You will have to cut the volume, you have to cut bilateral cricket, and go in that direction. You will never be able to stop different players going and playing for different franchises,” added Shastri.