Top News

The International Cricket Council is reportedly considering a sweeping set of changes to the global cricket calendar, including the possibility of reviving a franchise competition similar to the Champions League T20 and reducing the role of bilateral ODI cricket in the future. The proposals are expected to be discussed at the ICC’s annual general meeting in Edinburgh as part of a wider strategic review into the sport’s long-term structure.

According to reports, the review has been carried out by consulting firm McKinsey and focuses on protecting all three formats while making cricket more sustainable in a rapidly changing landscape. The discussions are understood to include the creation of clearer windows for Tests, ODIs and T20Is, along with the introduction of more continental events such as the Asia Cup and similar tournaments in other regions.

The prospect of a new global T20 competition has emerged as one of the most eye-catching ideas under consideration, especially given the previous failure of the now-defunct Champions League T20.

Read also: Jasprit Bumrah Begins Training for Upcoming India-England Test Season and ODI Series

The reported review also suggests that ODI cricket could be restricted largely to the period leading into the 50-over World Cup, with the format potentially confined to an 18-month window before the tournament. If implemented, the move would significantly reduce the number of bilateral ODI series outside World Cup preparation cycles.

That proposal reflects the growing pressure on the 50-over format as T20 cricket continues to dominate schedules, audiences and commercial interest. While Test cricket still holds prestige as the traditional format, ODIs have increasingly found themselves squeezed between the demands of franchise T20 leagues and the packed international calendar. Earlier, former  Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said,

“If the game has to become global and it has to become an Olympic sport, the shorter the game, the more viable it is. And that’s how it’s going to become much bigger… T20 as a sport is here to stay. I’m not too sure about ODI cricket."

The ICC is also reportedly exploring an expansion of the World Test Championship from the 2027-29 cycle, which could increase the competition from nine to 12 teams. That would potentially bring Ireland, Zimbabwe and Afghanistan into the tournament.

Any such reforms are not expected to be implemented immediately, with reports indicating that significant structural changes would only begin after the current cycle ends in 2031.