Aakash Chopra who was a former Indian cricketer expressed his issues on the significance of bilateral series following the recently completed ODI tour of the Indian team in Australia. He noted that this kind of series is barely ever watched these days with the fans appearing to be more interested in bigger tournaments, such as the world cup or champions trophy.
India lost the series of 3 match ODIs by 1-2 but the brilliant partnership of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the last match won headlines. Even though the match was won, Chopra wanted to know whether there is any real value of such matches when the result of the series does not bring much excitement to the audience.
Aakash Chopra speaking to his YouTube channel stated that bilateral cricket is gradually losing its appeal. He has proposed that the cricket boards and the ICC should re-consider the format of such series and concentrate on tournaments that bring about more interest and competitiveness.
“Why are bilaterals played? There was an era when there was excitement and you used to wait for it. What happened in a series was remembered, but no one remembers it now. Everyone forgets what happened six months ago.”
Aakash Chopra
Chopra pointed out that only individual performances, such as Rohit and Kohli’s innings in the final ODI, receive notice in bilaterals.
“Only two things are spoken about. We celebrate individual performances, as we did in the last series. We lost the three-match series 2-1, but does it seem from anywhere that we lost? We are celebrating. We are doing bhangra because Rohit and Kohli scored runs.”
Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra stated that the other goal of bilaterals is to prepare for the next World Cup. However, he stated that no one is concerned about the World Cup because it is still two years away.
Aakash Chopra suggests revival of triangular, quadrangular tournaments in modern cricket
In the same video, Aakash Chopra stated that all cricket boards must work together to find a way to save white-ball cricket.
“What can be done? I think all boards need to be collective. They need to understand that there is a problem. If you shear a sheep totally, the sheep gets injured, and then you don’t get any wool. You are in the process of killing a hen that gives a golden egg,” he said (3:30).
The cricketer-turned-commentator urged boards to hold triangular or quadrangular white-ball events.
“Don’t do that. I would say organize tri-nation and quadrangular tournaments, where teams will have to create space in their home calendars, and the host nation should split the revenue.”
Aakash Chopra
In summary, Aakash Chopra has said that white-ball series are no longer appealing and will become irrelevant altogether in the case of bilaterals played. According to him, such series are no longer entertaining due to the fact that every year one or two ICC tournaments take place.
