'I switch off the TV after a point' - Ravi Ashwin feels 50-over cricket is losing its essence

Legendary Indian cricketer Ravi Ashwin revealed that he avoids watching the 50-over games on television because he feels the one-day format is at the risk of becoming obsolete. T20 is currently the main emphasis of the white-ball format as the T20 World Cup, scheduled in October, approaches.

Additionally, with Test cricket experiencing a revival as a result of England’s thrilling run-chases under the leadership of new head coach Brendon McCullum, Ashwin expressed his concerns about the future of One Day Internationals. India are currently in England facing the hosts in a three-match ODI series.

“The greatest beauty of one-day cricket is – sorry, was – the ebbs and flows of the game. People used to bide their time and take the game deep. The one-day format used to be a format where bowlers had a say. Even me, as a cricket badger and a cricket nut, I switch off the TV after a point and that’s frankly very scary for the format of the game,” Ashwin told the Vaughany and Tuffers Cricket Club podcast.

ODI cricket needs to find its relevance: Ravi Ashwin

Ashwin has featured in 113 ODIs for India and is a regular member of the Test team. He did not play in India’s most recent one-off Test match against England, but the spin-bowling all-rounder is considered one of India’s all-time best spinners, having taken 442 Test wickets. Ashwin expressed his opinion on the matter, citing that the 50-over format no longer maintains a balance between the bat and the ball.

“When those ebbs and flows go missing, it’s not cricket anymore. It’s just an extended form of T20. It’s a question of relevance and I think ODI cricket needs to find its relevance. It needs to find its spot,” he added.

The first match of the ongoing ODI series between India and England was much anticipated as the two teams had put up some thrilling performances in the T20I series. But it did not seem like an ODI match as Indian bowlers dished out England for mere 110 runs and put a brake on England’s batting in the 26^th over. The next 50-over World Cup is scheduled for 2023, but all the teams are currently focused on the upcoming T20 World Cup.