R Ashwin has pointed out the issues that ODI cricket is currently facing. He also slammed the ICC for turning this format into T20Is, which have batting-friendly pitches, which are unsuitable for players like MS Dhoni, who first try to build the knock and then start smashing in death overs.

ODIs went from one new ball to two new balls at each end after 2011, and that had a huge effect on reverse swing as the ball became hard for a long time. The field placements have also changed since the last few years, as it went from having two outfielders in the first 10 overs to now having four in the middle phase, and five at the death, which has affected both batting and bowling strategies.

“One-day cricket, once upon a time, was an amazing format because it gave a player like MS Dhoni, who would take singles for 10-15 overs before he went berserk at the end. You don’t have players like that (Dhoni) anymore, and there isn’t any requirement to play like that, as you are playing with two new balls and five fielders inside the circle," Ashwin was quoted as saying on his YouTube channel.

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Bilateral ODIs series are stuck between the old form of Test and the modern T20Is. The ICC has tried to change rules by introducing two new balls till the 34th over, and that brought some reverse swing. Speculations are rife that the Super League might return, and that's how the bilateral series will become sensible.

Ashwin also revealed that the ICC reduced the number of tournaments by holding one tournament, the ODI World Cup, the T20 World Cup, or the Champions Trophy each year.

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“The ODI format has become redundant, and to top it, ICC needs to see how they are conducting these World Cups. Every year, there is an ICC tournament for revenue generation, but then look at how FIFA is doing it. Leagues are happening, and they do their World Cup once every four years. The World Cup has value as it’s a marquee tournament. Too many bilaterals, too many formats, too many World Cups, so it’s a little bit of an overkill," he concluded.


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