The future of One-Day International cricket has become one of the biggest talking points in the modern game. With T20 cricket dominating global attention through franchise leagues and ICC events, many believe the 50-over format is gradually losing its place in an increasingly crowded calendar. Bilateral ODI series often struggle to generate the same excitement as T20 contests, prompting regular discussions about whether the format needs a makeover to remain relevant. While some have even proposed reducing ODIs to 40 overs per side, India captain Shubman Gill believes the answer lies elsewhere. Gill recently shared his ideas on how the format can be made more engaging without altering its traditional identity.
Shubman Gill suggests tried and tested idea to revive interest in ODI cricket
Gill made it clear that he remains a strong supporter of the 50-over format and does not believe reducing the number of overs is the right solution. Having grown up watching ODI cricket during its golden era, the Indian skipper described the format as an important part of his childhood and insisted that the 50-over World Cup remains the pinnacle of limited-overs cricket.
“I grew up watching 50-over cricket a lot and it remained an integral part of my childhood. When I think of the World Cup, the first thought that comes to mind is the 50-over World Cup. For me, the 50-over World Cup is the most prestigious World Cup. I don’t think it should be changed to 40 overs,” Gill said ahead of the first ODI in Birmingham.
Instead of shortening matches, Gill believes cricket boards should focus on bringing back multi-nation tournaments that were once a regular feature of the international calendar. According to him, triangular and quadrangular series would offer greater variety for players and fans while making bilateral cricket more competitive and unpredictable.
Reflecting on the famous tri-series involving India, Australia and Sri Lanka, Gill said those tournaments created a unique atmosphere because teams were constantly facing different opponents rather than playing the same side throughout a series.
“One thing is that we used to play a lot of triangular series and it was really fun to watch. India, Australia and Sri Lanka used to play those tournaments. If I ever get a chance to play in a triangular series, it will be fun because you are not playing one team continuously. If we want to make this format more interesting, instead of having bilateral series, we can have triangular or quadrangular series. That’ll be interesting to play and to watch,” he added.
Gill’s suggestion echoes the nostalgia many cricket fans have for the tri-series era, when tournaments such as the Commonwealth Bank Series regularly produced high-quality contests and memorable finals.
Gill and Team India eye strong ODI response in England
Gill’s comments come as India begin a crucial three-match ODI series against England following a disappointing T20I campaign. Under Shreyas Iyer‘s captaincy, India suffered a 4-0 whitewash in the five-match T20I series, leaving fans eager for a turnaround in the 50-over format. The ODI series also marks the return of several experienced campaigners. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who now feature exclusively in ODI cricket, are back to strengthen the batting unit, while pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah returns after being rested for the T20I leg of the tour.
With Gill leading the side in a format that many consider India’s strongest, expectations are high for the visitors to bounce back. Beyond the immediate challenge of overcoming England, the series also provides India with an opportunity to build momentum and refine combinations as preparations gradually begin for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup. Gill will hope his leadership, along with the return of India’s senior stars, can help the team rediscover its rhythm while also reminding the cricketing world why ODI cricket still holds a special place in the sport.
