3 weeks ago
Difficult to think of cricket without ODIs, says Jonty Rhodes
Cricket is a game played in a few different ways.
One way is called the 50-over game, or ODI.
A famous cricket player from South Africa, Jonty Rhodes, talked about the future of the game.
He said there might be fewer matches between countries in the future.
But he does not think the 50-over game will disappear, because fans love it so much.
He also said some players may stop playing for their countries earlier than before.
That is because many players also play for club teams in big T20 leagues.
Rhodes talked about how much better fielding has become.
He praised Virat Kohli for making fitness so important in India.
He also said he believes South Africa can win the next World Cup, which will be hosted in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Jonty Rhodes predicted fewer bilateral ODI series in future but said 50-over cricket is unlikely to disappear, citing passionate fan support.
He said the rise of global T20 franchise leagues could push players to retire from international cricket earlier.
Rhodes credited players' own practice and Virat Kohli's fitness demands for India's fielding evolution.
He backed South Africa to go the distance at next year's ODI World Cup, which it co-hosts with Zimbabwe and Namibia.
He spoke at the Mumbai jersey launch of Rotterdam Dockers, which he co-owns, ahead of the inaugural ETPL from August 26 to September 20.
- Who
- Jonty Rhodes, former South Africa cricketer and co-owner of Rotterdam Dockers
- What
- Predicted fewer bilateral ODI series, said the 50-over format will survive on passionate fans, warned T20 leagues may shorten international careers, and praised fielding's evolution driven by fitness standards such as Virat Kohli's in India
- Where
- Mumbai, India; the inaugural ETPL will be played in Voorburg, the Netherlands, and Dublin
- When
- Tuesday, at the Rotterdam Dockers jersey launch (reported in July 2026)
- Why
- To discuss the future of international cricket amid the growing influence of T20 franchise leagues
Key facts
- Speaker
- Jonty Rhodes, former South Africa cricketer
- Event
- Jersey launch of European T20 Premier League (ETPL) team Rotterdam Dockers in Mumbai
- Rhodes' role
- Co-owner of Rotterdam Dockers
- ETPL inaugural edition
- August 26 - September 20, held in Voorburg (Netherlands) and Dublin
- Key prediction
- Fewer bilateral ODI series ahead; 50-over cricket will survive on passionate fan support
- Player trend
- T20 franchise leagues may lead players to end their international careers earlier
- ODI World Cup
- Next year's tournament co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia
- South Africa's ambition
- Winning an ICC limited-overs trophy
Quotes
Jonty Rhodes
Former England cricketer and commentator
“For me, it is always understanding that 50‑overs cricket might be the one format where – because we bring in such a fresh crowd and a different perspective into the game – possibly 50‑overs cricket might be in trouble in the years ahead.”
timesnownews.com
rediff.com
“At this stage, I think there will be fewer and fewer bilateral series... but it is very difficult to think of cricket without the 50‑over version.”
rediff.com
Sources
Related news
ICC CEO Says Era of Random Bilateral Scheduling Over
Rhodes Hopes South Africa End Drought at 2027 World Cup
ICC CEO: Random bilaterals over; Test and ODI need reinvention
ICC CEO: Era of randomly scheduled bilateral series must end
Ashwin hails Ireland's India series win as huge positive for cricket
Chaminda Vaas Urges Boards to Preserve Test and ODI Cricket
European T20 Premier League Opens With Packed Hague Stadium
Abhishek Bachchan Hopes ETPL Expands After European T20 Launch
European T20 Premier League Opens Inaugural Season In The Hague
Abhishek Bachchan Builds a Second Career Through Sports
