Legendary Ricky Ponting is worried that the One day cricket could slowly lose its place in an increasingly choc-a-bloc calendar, with T20 Internationals and franchise leagues continuing their expansion across the globe.
Ponting fears ODI cricket will be played “less and less” in the coming years as more T20 leagues emerge, even though he remains convinced that Test cricket will continue to thrive as long as major cricketing nations remain invested in it.
Ponting Predicts Decline of 50-Over Cricket
Ricky Ponting has expressed concerns about the future of 50-over cricket, suggesting it may diminish as T20 formats gain popularity worldwide. In an exclusive interview with PTI, he acknowledged the increasing prevalence of T20 franchises and tournaments, stating, “It’s inevitable… I’m not a huge fan of [the decline], to be honest.”
Despite his worries for ODIs, Ponting remains optimistic about the longevity of Test cricket. He believes the format will thrive as long as cricketing powerhouses like India, Australia, England, and South Africa continue to support it. “Test cricket is still going to remain strong… Something’s got to give, and the obvious one is 50-over cricket,” he noted.
Ponting, who amassed 13,704 runs in One Day Internationals, highlighted the crucial role of the ‘Big Four’ in maintaining the health of Test cricket amid the evolving landscape of the sport.
