ODI cricket needs to find its relevance: Ravichandran Ashwin

The Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has reckoned that the ODI format is close to becoming irrelevant, and he often turns off the TV during the 50-overs fixtures.

ICC witnessed a similar shortcoming in 2020, which introduced the World Super League. Based on their performance, the top eight teams from the league's points table will be a part of the 2023 World Cup. 

This move was opted to keep the interest of the viewers and national teams intact in the ODI format. 

India is playing an ODI series against England and has started on a strong note by winning the first fixture.

Ashwin thinks that ODI cricket had constant fluctuations regarding a particular team's percentage of winning a game.

He added that the bowlers had a say in the final result of the 50-overs fixture but currently is an extended form of a T20I game.

"The greatest beauty of one-day cricket is - sorry, was - the ebbs and flows of the game," said Ashwin to Vaughany and Tuffers Cricket Club podcast. 

"The one-day format used to be a format where bowlers had a say. Even as a cricket badger and a cricket nut, I switch off the TV after a point, and that's frankly very scary for the format of the game,”

"When those ebbs and flows go missing, it's not cricket anymore. It's just an extended form of T20,”

"It's a question of relevance, and I think ODI cricket needs to find its relevance. It needs to find its spot," added Ashwin.

Ashwin thinks Bazball mindset is scary for bowlers

The 35-year-old reckoned that he enjoyed watching England winning the games because of their aggressive mindset. This approach is now termed 'Bazball', which relates to England red-ball coach Brendon McCullum's nickname Baz. 

However, Ashwin thinks the pitches and the ball will still play a considerable role in evading the Bazball threat but cast doubts on the sustainability of the bowlers.

"It was amazing to watch, but as a bowler, it is quite scary to think where the game is headed," he added. 

"I definitely think the ball and the pitches have a role to play in how England are playing, permitting a certain brand of cricket," concluded Ashwin.