The future of One Day International cricket has become one of the biggest talking points in the modern game. With T20 cricket dominating global attention through franchise leagues and ICC events, many believe that the 50-over format is slowly losing its place in the increasingly crowded calendar. Bilateral ODI series often struggle to generate the same excitement as T20 competitions, leading to regular discussions over whether the format needs a change to remain relevant. While some have also proposed reducing ODI matches to 40 overs per side, India captain Shubman Gill Believe the answer lies somewhere else. Gill recently shared his thoughts on how the format can be made more attractive without changing its traditional identity.
Shubman Gill suggests tried-and-tested idea to revive interest in ODI cricket
Gill clarified that he is a strong supporter of the 50-over format and believes that reducing the number of overs is not the right solution. Having grown up watching ODI cricket during its golden era, the Indian captain described the format as an important part of his childhood and insisted that the 50-over World Cup remains the pinnacle of limited-overs cricket.
“I have grown up watching 50-over cricket and it has been an integral part of my childhood. When I think of the World Cup, the first thought that comes to mind is the 50-over World Cup. For me, the 50-over World Cup is the most prestigious World Cup. I don’t think it should be made 40-over.” Gill said before the first ODI in Birmingham.
Gill believes that rather than shortening the matches, cricket boards should focus on bringing back the multi-national tournaments that were once a regular feature of the international calendar. According to him, the tri- and quadrangular series will provide more variety for the players and fans while making bilateral cricket more competitive and unpredictable.
Reflecting on the famous triangular series involving India, Australia and Sri Lanka, Gill said that those tournaments created a unique atmosphere as teams were constantly facing different opponents rather than playing the same team throughout the series.
“One thing is that we used to play a lot of triangular series and it was really fun to watch. India, Australia and Sri Lanka used to play those tournaments. If I ever get a chance to play in a tri-series, it would be fun because you are not playing the same team continuously. If we want to make this format more interesting, instead of bilateral series we can have triangular or quadrangular series. It will be interesting to play and watch,” He added.
Gill’s suggestion reflects the nostalgia of many cricket fans for the triangular series era, when tournaments such as the Commonwealth Bank Series regularly featured high-quality contests and memorable finals.
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Gill and Team India eyeing a strong response in ODIs in England
Gill’s comments come as India begin a crucial three-match ODI series against England after a disappointing T20I campaign. under Shreyas IyerUnder his captaincy, India suffered a 4-0 defeat in the five-match T20I series, leaving fans eager for a change to the 50-over format. The ODI series also marks the return of several experienced campaigners. Virat Kohli And Rohit SharmaJoe, who now plays exclusively in ODI cricket, is back to strengthen the batting unit, while fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is back after being rested for the T20I leg of the tour.
Gill is leading the team in what many consider to be India’s strongest format, so expectations for the visitors’ return are very high. Apart from the immediate challenge of overcoming England, this series also provides an opportunity for India to build momentum and refine the combination as preparations for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup gradually begin. Gill will hope that his leadership, coupled with the return of India’s senior stars, can help the team rediscover its rhythm, while also reminding the cricket world why ODI cricket still holds a special place in the game.