Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has implored the International Cricket Council (ICC) to create stronger pathways for emerging nations following the changes introduced in the formats of the T20 World cup and the ODI World Cup. The global body, in its annual meeting in Edinburgh, decided to tweak the format for the two marquee tournaments. However, the structural changes have very little to offer for the Associate Nations, and this has been called out by Ashwin.
Ashwin wants ICC to host more meaningful matches
Taking to social media platform X, Ashwin noted that the ICC’s changes to the fixture format made sense from a competitive standpoint but called for stronger pathway for emerging nations if the game had to grow. The former Indian cricketer called for associate nations to be included in every bilateral series, noting that teams like the Netherlands, the USA, Scotland, Nepal and Ireland need more meaningful matches. Ashwin pointed out that only the collective growth of the game will make it a spectacle in Olympics.
“The ICC’s changes to the fixture format for the 2027 ODI World Cup and 2028 T20 World Cup make sense from a competitiveness standpoint. But if the final goal is to grow the game, there needs to be a stronger pathway for emerging nations. Teams like the Netherlands, Scotland, Nepal, USA and Ireland need more meaningful matches ( FOR EXAMPLE: getting added as the third team into every bilateral series ), not just qualification tournaments. Let’s not forget, that collective growth will make this sport a spectacle at the olympics,” Ashwin wrote.
The ICC’s changes to the fixture format for the 2027 ODI World Cup and 2028 T20 World Cup make sense from a competitiveness standpoint.But if the final goal is to grow the game, there needs to be a stronger pathway for emerging nations. Teams like the Netherlands, Scotland,…
— Ashwin (@ashwinravi99) July 16, 2026In the 2027 ODI World Cup, 14 teams will take part in the tournament, as opposed to reports that earlier claimed that the global body was planning to trim it down to 12 teams. The Super Series and Super 7 rounds have been introduced. On paper, the new structure suggests that the ODI World Cup has expanded from 10 to 14 teams. But in reality, it’s 12 teams.
In the T20 World Cup 2028, the ICC has introduced a new “Super 10” stage and Eliminator matches. While the tournament will continue to feature 20 teams, the road to the semi-finals is set to become much more competitive. One of the biggest changes is the removal of the Super Eights stage. In its place, the ICC has introduced a larger Super 10 round, along with Eliminator matches that will effectively act as quarter-finals.
ICC’s flaws in World Cup reforms called out, need for ‘meaningful matches’ flagged Inside Sport India.
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