Manjrekar Dismisses ODI Series Loss; Ashwin, Ponting Voice Concerns Over Format's Future
In the wake of India's historic first-ever ODI series defeat to New Zealand on home soil, a significant debate has ignited about the value and future of the 50-over format itself. While the result marked the end of India's seven-year unbeaten run in home bilateral ODI series, former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has controversially downplayed its significance, calling it "no big deal." His comments have fueled a larger conversation involving legends like Ravichandran Ashwin and Ricky Ponting, who express deeper concerns about ODI cricket's trajectory in a T20-dominated era.
Speaking on his Instagram handle, Manjrekar framed his assessment around the primacy of the World Cup. "Honestly, in 50-over cricket today, what really matters is the World Cup, not even the Champions Trophy," he stated. He argued that while fans struggle to recall recent Champions Trophy winners, every World Cup champion is etched in memory, thus diminishing the weight of bilateral series. This perspective aligns with his earlier contentious remark where he labeled ODIs as the "easiest format" for a top-order batter, expressing disappointment that Virat Kohli chose to continue in this format after retiring from Tests and T20Is.
In stark contrast, India's spin maestro and cricket thinker Ravichandran Ashwin voiced palpable worry about the format's health. "I am not sure about future of ODI after 2027 World Cup. I am a little worried about it," Ashwin confessed on his YouTube channel 'Ash Ki Baat.' He pointed to a tangible decline in viewer engagement, contrasting the fervent followership of the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy (SMAT) with the relatively tepid interest in the domestic 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy. Ashwin's concern extends beyond just results; it touches on the format's ability to captivate the next generation of fans and players in an increasingly fast-paced sporting landscape.
Echoing these structural concerns, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting provided a technical analysis of how the format's evolution is altering the very fabric of batting. Speaking at an Idea Exchange last year, Ponting observed, "The rhythm and tempo of one-day batting is not like it used to be because of how much T20 cricket is being played." He noted that modern ODI teams often approach the game as "a longer T20," leading to a decline in the nuanced, situational skills that defined classic 50-over batsmanship, particularly against spin bowling. For Ponting, the issue isn't just relevance but a dilution of the specialized artistry that made the format unique.
This triad of opinions from Manjrekar, Ashwin, and Ponting encapsulates the central crisis facing ODI cricket. On one hand, figures like Manjrekar represent a utilitarian view where bilateral ODIs are merely preparation for the World Cup, their results ultimately forgettable. On the other, seasoned observers like Ashwin and Ponting warn of an existential threat—a format losing its distinct identity, its fan engagement, and the technical depth that once made it the sport's pinnacle. As icons like Kohli and Rohit Sharma near the end of their careers, Ashwin's worry about a looming void becomes more acute. The New Zealand series defeat, therefore, is more than a statistical blip; it serves as a catalyst for a necessary, urgent discussion on how to preserve the soul and substance of 50-over cricket before it is irrevocably changed by the relentless shadow of its shorter, more explosive cousin.
Speaking on his Instagram handle, Manjrekar framed his assessment around the primacy of the World Cup. "Honestly, in 50-over cricket today, what really matters is the World Cup, not even the Champions Trophy," he stated. He argued that while fans struggle to recall recent Champions Trophy winners, every World Cup champion is etched in memory, thus diminishing the weight of bilateral series. This perspective aligns with his earlier contentious remark where he labeled ODIs as the "easiest format" for a top-order batter, expressing disappointment that Virat Kohli chose to continue in this format after retiring from Tests and T20Is.
In stark contrast, India's spin maestro and cricket thinker Ravichandran Ashwin voiced palpable worry about the format's health. "I am not sure about future of ODI after 2027 World Cup. I am a little worried about it," Ashwin confessed on his YouTube channel 'Ash Ki Baat.' He pointed to a tangible decline in viewer engagement, contrasting the fervent followership of the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy (SMAT) with the relatively tepid interest in the domestic 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy. Ashwin's concern extends beyond just results; it touches on the format's ability to captivate the next generation of fans and players in an increasingly fast-paced sporting landscape.
Echoing these structural concerns, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting provided a technical analysis of how the format's evolution is altering the very fabric of batting. Speaking at an Idea Exchange last year, Ponting observed, "The rhythm and tempo of one-day batting is not like it used to be because of how much T20 cricket is being played." He noted that modern ODI teams often approach the game as "a longer T20," leading to a decline in the nuanced, situational skills that defined classic 50-over batsmanship, particularly against spin bowling. For Ponting, the issue isn't just relevance but a dilution of the specialized artistry that made the format unique.
This triad of opinions from Manjrekar, Ashwin, and Ponting encapsulates the central crisis facing ODI cricket. On one hand, figures like Manjrekar represent a utilitarian view where bilateral ODIs are merely preparation for the World Cup, their results ultimately forgettable. On the other, seasoned observers like Ashwin and Ponting warn of an existential threat—a format losing its distinct identity, its fan engagement, and the technical depth that once made it the sport's pinnacle. As icons like Kohli and Rohit Sharma near the end of their careers, Ashwin's worry about a looming void becomes more acute. The New Zealand series defeat, therefore, is more than a statistical blip; it serves as a catalyst for a necessary, urgent discussion on how to preserve the soul and substance of 50-over cricket before it is irrevocably changed by the relentless shadow of its shorter, more explosive cousin.
Also Read | 'You have to train how you want to play': Glenn McGrath explains why Arshdeep Singh's wide yorkers work
You can see Arshdeep Singh's plan from a distance.
- all of which fell on yorker length or ended as low fulltoss.
After Wari, Arshdeep could not hit the wide-yorker radar. If you are not confident in hitting, you will throw and hit it more often.
Where is the batsman trying to hit you and which ball am I going to bowl. While India's batsmen were seen going deep into the crease and negotiating Lasith Malinga's yorkers, Sri Lanka came up with a wide yorker plan two days before the final in Dhaka. The line was practiced so diligently that in the final, both the fast bowlers bowled wide yorkers and gave only 15 runs in the last three overs. They say.
- all of which fell on yorker length or ended as low fulltoss.
After Wari, Arshdeep could not hit the wide-yorker radar. If you are not confident in hitting, you will throw and hit it more often.
Where is the batsman trying to hit you and which ball am I going to bowl. While India's batsmen were seen going deep into the crease and negotiating Lasith Malinga's yorkers, Sri Lanka came up with a wide yorker plan two days before the final in Dhaka. The line was practiced so diligently that in the final, both the fast bowlers bowled wide yorkers and gave only 15 runs in the last three overs. They say.
Also Read | 'India is under pressure from 1.5 billion people, they have already lost the final in Ahmedabad': Shoaib Akhtar on India facing home pressure against New Zealand
The last time India played a World Cup final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, it was in the 2023 ODI World Cup when the Rohit Sharma-led Indian team lost against Australia by six wickets.
The Yakumar Yadav-led Indian team will take on New Zealand in the final in Ahmedabad on Sunday, marking the fourth time that the two countries will face each other in a T20 World Cup match. Having won all three encounters against Australia, Mitchell Santner's New Zealand team will hope to defeat the defending champions and win their first World Cup title. It is believed that along with the pressure of '1.5 billion fans' on India, there will also be memories of the defeat in the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia on the same ground. If favorable for the spinners, the par score will be around 200 or 175. "New Zealand should win this World Cup," said Game on High.
Looks strong. t, which means that obviously our high performance program has to be very specific and has to cater to the population that we've got, "but obviously, the talent that comes out of t India is phenomenal. व is.
The Yakumar Yadav-led Indian team will take on New Zealand in the final in Ahmedabad on Sunday, marking the fourth time that the two countries will face each other in a T20 World Cup match. Having won all three encounters against Australia, Mitchell Santner's New Zealand team will hope to defeat the defending champions and win their first World Cup title. It is believed that along with the pressure of '1.5 billion fans' on India, there will also be memories of the defeat in the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia on the same ground. If favorable for the spinners, the par score will be around 200 or 175. "New Zealand should win this World Cup," said Game on High.
Looks strong. t, which means that obviously our high performance program has to be very specific and has to cater to the population that we've got, "but obviously, the talent that comes out of t India is phenomenal. व is.
Also Read | T20 World Cup: 'You can make a really strong argument that he is the best fast bowler ever' - praises Stuart Broad
Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah showed why he is considered among the best in the business with his decisive spell against England in the T20 World Cup semi-final on Thursday. Bumrah, who was in tremendous form, scored just ten runs in his last two overs, including six runs in the 18th over while chasing the target. iya.
It is said that he is the best fast bowler ever."
West Indies great Malcolm Marshall was 'miles better' than him. Depending on the article, how will you declare Bumrah as the 'best'? It’s the best I’ve ever seen live, that’s for sure,” Broad said.
Are.
It is said that he is the best fast bowler ever."
West Indies great Malcolm Marshall was 'miles better' than him. Depending on the article, how will you declare Bumrah as the 'best'? It’s the best I’ve ever seen live, that’s for sure,” Broad said.
Are.
Also Read | Dale Steyn praises Jasprit Bumrah's 16th and 18th overs: 'Take away his two overs, and England would have won the game by one over'
Jasprit Bumrah's 1-33 against England in the semi-final was worth gold for India as the co-hosts eventually managed to win by just seven runs. Rest assured, Bumrah's 16th and 18th overs helped the crowd find their voice again and laid the foundation for India to clinch the nailbiter. Let's demonstrate.
''
''
Also Read | 'If I were India I would be coming into the tournament, a team I wouldn't want to play in the final...': Brad Haddin on New Zealand
With a 3-0 record against India in T20 World Cup history, New Zealand has been one team that has given a tough challenge to India in the T20 World Cup. has never lost a T20 World Cup match against India since the 2007 T20 World Cup. Former Rajasthan wicket-keeper batsman Brad Haddin believes that New Zealand is a team that India would not like to play in the final and the Kiwis are not afraid of India in home conditions. This can ruin the party on its home soil. It was in the Knockout Trophy, where the Kiwis won the title with a four-wicket win over India. Was deprived of the title. He sees New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner as the key player in the final. .
