Former India star Ravichandran Ashwin believes that Indian cricket fans are only interested in the Vijay Hazare Trophy because of the presence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Ashwin believes that the local 50-over competition gained considerable prominence solely because the famous tandem participated in the initial few rounds.
Furthermore, Ashwin expressed doubts regarding the future of One-Day Internationals following the World Cup in 2027. While he believes that Test and T20 cricket have a greater viewership and will remain relevant for the foreseeable future, he believes that the 50-over format can become somewhat overpowering as the sport’s times and approach change.
“Rohit and Virat came back to Vijay Hazare Trophy and people started watching it. We have known that sport is always bigger than individuals but at times these players (Ro-Ko) need to come back to make the game relevant. Vijay Hazare Trophy is a domestic competition that not a lot of people follow, but they did (so now) because Virat and Rohit were playing. Even then, what happens when they stop playing ODIs?” Ashwin wondered in a video on his YouTube channel.
“I am not sure about future of ODI after 2027 World Cup. I am a little worried about it. Of course, I am following Vijay Hazare Trophy but the manner in which I followed SMAT, I am finding slightly difficult to follow. Also, we need to know what audience wants to watch. I feel Test cricket still has space but ODI cricket, I truly feel (it) doesn’t have the space,” he opined.
Top-class international sides now play a much smaller number of ODIs. Indian men’s team only played two bilateral ODI series (a total of six matches) in 2025. They also played five matches in their victorious Champions Trophy campaign, and that was that. Interest is waning, and spectators aren’t turning up either. It remains to be seen what direction the stakeholders will head in for the future of one-day format.
