Kapil Dev appeals to ICC to save Test and ODI formats

Kapil Dev appeals to ICC to save Test and ODI formats

Kapil Dev, the former World Cup-winning captain of the
Indian team, has requested the ICC, the apex body of cricket, to take steps to
save the Test and ODI formats.

Former World Cup winning Captain Kapil Dev

Kapil Dev has made this request in view of the growing
T20 league around the world. Kapil Dev said, ‘I think it is coming to an end.
The ICC has a big responsibility on how it will manage the game. It is going
exactly the same way as football in Europe. He doesn’t play against every
country. Once in four years we play against each other, then there is the World
Cup. Do we also need to play World Cup matches in four years and play franchise
cricket for the rest of the time?’

He further said, ‘Similarly, cricketers will play only
in IPL or BBL or league like that? So the ICC has to focus on how to keep ODI
cricket alive, Test cricket in a sure way. Not just club cricket.

Kapil Dev also expressed that if all cricket leagues
become as popular as football, then international cricket will be limited to
just the World Cup. He said, ‘Club cricket is fine for a while. Big Bash is
fine. But the South Africa league is coming. UAE league is coming. If all the
countries go to play club cricket, then international cricket will be limited
to the World Cup only.

 Be aware that the IPL has got an additional window
next year. England and Australia will also get schedules for domestic franchise
based leagues. The cricket calendar has become so hectic at this time that
players have started distancing themselves from the formats.

 Recently Ben Stokes retired from the ODI format while
he will continue to play Test and T20 cricket. On the other hand, South Africa
canceled the tour of Australia, which could threaten its qualification in the
2023 World Cup.