This is why cricket is dying

[Last Monetarist]

That reliance on Indian tv money is why the ECB has gone all in on the hundred despite strong opposition from within the game. Bankrolling a domestic structure with 18 counties has been a problem for a couple of decades now for the ECB. It'll be a losing battle till the domestic game is restructured significantly.

Whereas, Cricket Australia's cost base continues to mount so much so that despite signing a billion dollar domestic tv rights deal, their cash reserves were exhausted in the matter of a few months during the pandemic because they had budgeted future revenues that were not forthcoming once the pandemic hit. It's mismanagement on a grand scale.

The other boards, with the exception of New Zealand perhaps, have been subject to similar mismanagement and in some cases downright corruption. It's not primarily the BCCI's fault that the state of cricket around the world is in crisis.

 

[TheNightWatchman]

We need to understand that Cricket isn't even an international sport anymore. It's an Indian sport monopolised by India, dominated by india, marketed to India to make Indians happy and make money off of them. Without Indian cricket, international cricket would cease to exist. . In 20 years cricket will become just like baseball for Americans and international cricket will take a backseat to the IPL which will be the only remnant of the game remaining.

 

[salahuddin10]

All those saying cricket is dying probably dont know that the population equals to the combined population of North America+South America+Europe+Oceana.

 

[TheNightWatchman]

Cricket is dying internationally. The popularity may have grown but it's grown disproportionately. Losing popularity in Windies, England, I would even say Aus, South Africa and Pak to an extent.

What's going to be left is just India dominating a sport which no other country will eventually care about:
Basically it looks something like this


Eventually the realisation will come that it would be even more fruitful to play league cricket which will draw in more money

 

[TheNightWatchman]

Cricket is dying internationally. The popularity may have grown but it's grown disproportionately. Losing popularity in Windies, England, I would even say Aus, South Africa and Pak to an extent.

What's going to be left is just India dominating a sport which no other country will eventually care about:
Basically it looks something like this
View attachment 108760

Eventually the realisation will come that it would be even more fruitful to play league cricket which will draw in more money

 

[RohitD]

In that case Cricket will be played in India, like Baseball, American Football in US. 1.4 Billion people are enough to keep cricket alive.

 

[Titan24]

In that case Cricket will be played in India, like Baseball, American Football in US. 1.4 Billion people are enough to keep cricket alive.

American football and baseball has players from America mainly, will IPL or Indian cricket still be as attractive for Indian public without any international player or international fixtures where eventually Indian players play against decent international teams. Cricket not being played in other countries or interest decreasing gradually would mean less international products available.

I personally dont think cricket can survive without international cricket and different formats at the same scale as it is now. Cricket going down globally would mean it will go down in India as well because Indian cricket also revolves around global cricket, while it can still survive in India but it surely wont be at this scale.

It will all depend upon how things go but, one thing people often overlook is that despite India being the biggest market for this sport, that market is sported by other countries as well who play cricket, produce international products and thus add to the brand value of cricket as a whole.

 

[silentkiller187]

In that case Cricket will be played in India, like Baseball, American Football in US. 1.4 Billion people are enough to keep cricket alive.

so basically like the ranji trophey and syed mushtaq ali cup that no one cares about?

 

[RohitD]

American football and baseball has players from America mainly, will IPL or Indian cricket still be as attractive for Indian public without any international player or international fixtures where eventually Indian players play against decent international teams. Cricket not being played in other countries or interest decreasing gradually would mean less international products available.

I personally dont think cricket can survive without international cricket and different formats at the same scale as it is now. Cricket going down globally would mean it will go down in India as well because Indian cricket also revolves around global cricket, while it can still survive in India but it surely wont be at this scale.

It will all depend upon how things go but, one thing people often overlook is that despite India being the biggest market for this sport, that market is sported by other countries as well who play cricket, produce international products and thus add to the brand value of cricket as a whole.

After IPL, the most watched league in India is Kabaddi league. Kabaddi is not even an international sports.

 

[Titan24]

After IPL, the most watched league in India is Kabaddi league. Kabaddi is not even an international sports.

How much is the difference in viewership? That would give you an indication.

Cricket obviously by far is the leading sport in India and that popularity is based upon the sport of cricket as a whole and not only cricket in India.

Do you believe that international players in IPL and international fixtures (Kohli playing at MCG, Smith playing in Chennai etc) has literally no role in popularity of cricket in India and nobody would care if cricket remains in any other country or not? If the answer is no and that they indeed have a role than that will verify my point that the scale of cricket popularity wont be the same if cricket goes down everywhere and India remains as the sole guardian of the sport.

Cricket’s popularity in India is based upon a completely different model than the likes of baseball or American football. Cricket started as an international sport and gained popularity in India and then the league model came in which was also dependent upon international players. Converting the model completely to home grown talent and just a T20 league wont match the scale of cricket in India currently. Otherwise you would have seen domestic cricket leagues in India breaking record viewership numbers but, thats not the case.

 

[RohitD]

How much is the difference in viewership? That would give you an indication.

Cricket obviously by far is the leading sport in India and that popularity is based upon the sport of cricket as a whole and not only cricket in India.

Do you believe that international players in IPL and international fixtures (Kohli playing at MCG, Smith playing in Chennai etc) has literally no role in popularity of cricket in India and nobody would care if cricket remains in any other country or not? If the answer is no and that they indeed have a role than that will verify my point that the scale of cricket popularity wont be the same if cricket goes down everywhere and India remains as the sole guardian of the sport.

Cricket’s popularity in India is based upon a completely different model than the likes of baseball or American football. Cricket started as an international sport and gained popularity in India and then the league model came in which was also dependent upon international players. Converting the model completely to home grown talent and just a T20 league wont match the scale of cricket in India currently. Otherwise you would have seen domestic cricket leagues in India breaking record viewership numbers but, thats not the case.

The inaugural season of Pro Kabaddi League was seen by 43.5 crore (435 million) viewers, second to the 2014 Indian Premier League's 55.2 crore (552 million). No reason why IPL can't replicate the Kabaddi league if the standard of international comes down.

 

[TheNightWatchman]

The inaugural season of Pro Kabaddi League was seen by 43.5 crore (435 million) viewers, second to the 2014 Indian Premier League's 55.2 crore (552 million). No reason why IPL can't replicate the Kabaddi league if the standard of international comes down.

If they make the games competitive it can work. Also scouting can be done from domestics of other countries which is already happening. Basically there would be no NEED of international cricket. Sure the WC can be played every 4 years. And maybe the test championship every 2 years. But there's no need for bilateral series being played. Especially those which yield no or very little profit.

 

[RohitD]

If they make the games competitive it can work. Also scouting can be done from domestics of other countries which is already happening. Basically there would be no NEED of international cricket. Sure the WC can be played every 4 years. And maybe the test championship every 2 years. But there's no need for bilateral series being played. Especially those which yield no or very little profit.

Why do we need so many bilateral series in International cricket ? Is that the case in any other sports ?

 

[Civil]

It's funny, when t20 cricket first came around in the early millenium, folks kept talking about how it would expand the game. I agreed with them.

It's actually sped up the inevitable decline I would say. And we've had only one or two countries come into the international spectrum with the original ones declining.

Not BCCI fault though. Economics and passion go hand in hand. If other countries don't have one or both of these two factors... cricket will die.

Decline of west indies was the hardest for me to swallow, but it was inevitable... other countries will go down this route unless once in a generation player comes along.

 

[Titan24]

The inaugural season of Pro Kabaddi League was seen by 43.5 crore (435 million) viewers, second to the 2014 Indian Premier League's 55.2 crore (552 million). No reason why IPL can't replicate the Kabaddi league if the standard of international comes down.

These are big numbers but, are they still standing up?

Also the main point in my previous post was regarding how the initial model of the sport is developed. You cant prepare your market dependent upon something and then take away the huge chunk and expect the market to respond the same. Kabaddi is not coming of a history of international calendars series and league isnt dependent upon overseas players so it has completely different expectations and legacy associated with it.

My point is pretty simple and I asked the question which you havent answered; Does international cricket and international players have had no role of popularity of sport in India? If it has, than without it wont the scale of popularity will eventually be impacted?

Kohli, Sharma etc are considered brands in India because of their international performances. There brand value wouldnt have been the same if it wasnt for international cricket, same is the case with IPL itself which has a certain brand value due to international cricketers as well.

If cricket would have been historically like the sports you are referring to than the model you are suggesting could have worked. However, now there are certain things people in India associate with cricket and taking out international stars, fixtures, performances takes away a huge chunk of that in my opinion.

 

[TheNightWatchman]

It's funny, when t20 cricket first came around in the early millenium, folks kept talking about how it would expand the game. I agreed with them.

It's actually sped up the inevitable decline I would say. And we've had only one or two countries come into the international spectrum with the original ones declining.

Not BCCI fault though. Economics and passion go hand in hand. If other countries don't have one or both of these two factors... cricket will die.

Decline of west indies was the hardest for me to swallow, but it was inevitable... other countries will go down this route unless once in a generation player comes along.

T20 cricket could have been used to expand the game but the ICC screwed it up. Nepal, Thailand, Netherlands and other new teams could have been brought into the fold. The netherlands even played the T20 WC and beat England twice. T20s could have been used to bridge the gap between teams. Have low level teams play the odd quadrangular/triangular series with teams in top 10. Infact Afghanistan started off with T20s and eventually their successes led up to becoming a full member.

 

[TheNightWatchman]

These are big numbers but, are they still standing up?

Also the main point in my previous post was regarding how the initial model of the sport is developed. You cant prepare your market dependent upon something and then take away the huge chunk and expect the market to respond the same. Kabaddi is not coming of a history of international calendars series and league isnt dependent upon overseas players so it has completely different expectations and legacy associated with it.

My point is pretty simple and I asked the question which you havent answered; Does international cricket and international players have had no role of popularity of sport in India? If it has, than without it wont the scale of popularity will eventually be impacted?

Kohli, Sharma etc are considered brands in India because of their international performances. There brand value wouldnt have been the same if it wasnt for international cricket, same is the case with IPL itself which has a certain brand value due to international cricketers as well.

If cricket would have been historically like the sports you are referring to than the model you are suggesting could have worked. However, now there are certain things people in India associate with cricket and taking out international stars, fixtures, performances takes away a huge chunk of that in my opinion.

What's stopping IPL from becoming something like the English premiere league which doesn't rely on a players International performance and instead simply picked or scouted from a domestic structure of another country. If the financial incentive is there why wouldn't a young 18-19 year old fresh out of highschool cricket in WI not want to join an IPL franchise.

 

[TheNightWatchman]

These are big numbers but, are they still standing up?

Also the main point in my previous post was regarding how the initial model of the sport is developed. You cant prepare your market dependent upon something and then take away the huge chunk and expect the market to respond the same. Kabaddi is not coming of a history of international calendars series and league isnt dependent upon overseas players so it has completely different expectations and legacy associated with it.

My point is pretty simple and I asked the question which you havent answered; Does international cricket and international players have had no role of popularity of sport in India? If it has, than without it wont the scale of popularity will eventually be impacted?

Kohli, Sharma etc are considered brands in India because of their international performances. There brand value wouldnt have been the same if it wasnt for international cricket, same is the case with IPL itself which has a certain brand value due to international cricketers as well.

If cricket would have been historically like the sports you are referring to than the model you are suggesting could have worked. However, now there are certain things people in India associate with cricket and taking out international stars, fixtures, performances takes away a huge chunk of that in my opinion.

Given the decline of international teams standards and a decline in competition, International bilaterals will be no more. Add that to the fact that most of these series are being played in a loss or very little profit. And eventually league cricket can become the premiere form of the sport.

 

[Titan24]

What's stopping IPL from becoming something like the English premiere league which doesn't rely on a players International performance and instead simply picked or scouted from a domestic structure of another country. If the financial incentive is there why wouldn't a young 18-19 year old fresh out of highschool cricket in WI not want to join an IPL franchise.

Football is a global sport with and is played almost everywhere in the world so you can scout players to make top teams.

Assuming cricket becomes pretty much non existent in countries (Thats the premises which is being discussed) than there wont even be much domestic cricket in other countries and what can exactly IPL teams scout out of the streets of a handful countries which play cricket now.

Cricket's model is unlike any other sport and is played in a certain group of countries. Cricket can exist in India in a league form but that would be nowhere near the scale it is operating at currently.

Cricket going in the league form will make it a lesser sport in terms of even money and overall scale than it is now as I have tried to explain with few points and overall market/model that has made the sport whatever it is today.

 

[Abdullah Rabbani]

Football is a global sport with and is played almost everywhere in the world so you can scout players to make top teams.

Assuming cricket becomes pretty much non existent in countries (Thats the premises which is being discussed) than there wont even be much domestic cricket in other countries and what can exactly IPL teams scout out of the streets of a handful countries which play cricket now.

Cricket's model is unlike any other sport and is played in a certain group of countries. Cricket can exist in India in a league form but that would be nowhere near the scale it is operating at currently.

Cricket going in the league form will make it a lesser sport in terms of even money and overall scale than it is now as I have tried to explain with few points and overall market/model that has made the sport whatever it is today.

If i ever watched ipl 6 years ago only because of foreign players

 

[fitCricFan]

I'm sure you've all seen the recent developments in European soccer and the overwhelmingly negative reaction from everyone except the breakaway clubs. From FIFA (they are greedy/corrupt but not as much as the breakaway clubs) to UEFA to former players to fans -- everyone is publicly calling out the clubs for their open greed and threatening boycotts up to the World Cup level.

Yet, this setup of the top few making decisions for everyone has been ongoing in cricket for years with the big 3 -- India, Aus, Eng -- and everyone just accepts it because their pockets are lined well.

The popularity of cricket gets masked because of the 1bn+ Indian population but there is no denying that cricket is a 3 nation sport with very little new market growth and the remaining 5-6 nations making up the numbers.

It depends on the perspective and who you ask. Some would say it is flourishing. With a billion folks, BCCI saw the opportunity and innovated to bring cricket to the next level, as a pseudo-entertainment, right into your home and people embraced it. A lot of other boards were slow in responding or didn't have the same vision and were left out. Sort of like online retail has overtaken retail brick-mortar stores in the West.

Yes, the game may just end up with only a few nations playing it but as long as it flourishes in those regions, generates enough revenue to sustain itself and provides and supports for its past/present players, its all good. Sort of Cricket Darwinism

 

[Rana]

I tell you why cricket is dying

Pakistan winning the toss and bowling first against a poor, depleted Zimbabwe side on a flat deck!

 

[MenInG]

The ever-increasing domestic T20 leagues are squeezing bilateral ties and Test cricket runs the risk of witnessing a reduction in its volume in a decade's time, warns ICC chairman Greg Barclay. Barclay, who was appointed as ICC chair in November 2020, said the world body will face a serious challenge in deciding the next Future Tours Program starting next year.

"There is a men's and women's event every year and the growth of domestic leagues are forcing things from the bottom and ... what is getting squeezed is bilateral cricket and so we are trying to fit everything in," Barclay told BBC's Test Match Special during the ongoing first game of the three-match series between England and New Zealand at Lord's.

"There will be some unfortunate consequences from a playing experience and a revenue point of view for some of those countries who won't get the amount of cricket they might hope to have and they won't get exposure, particularly against India and to a lesser extent Australia and England. So we will see a squeeze.

"In 10-15 years time I still see Test cricket being an integral part (of the game), it may be that there is less of it," he added.

Barclay hinted that the "big three" of world cricket -- India, Australia and England -- will be largely unaffected by the adjustments in Test cricket.

"Some countries may have to make room and play less Test cricket. Some of the smaller full members will have to accept that they can't play the amount of Test cricket that they wanted to, so we may see a lessening of that - four or five a year - whereas England, Australia and India, I think, will be playing Test cricket as they are now."

The ICC chair, however, doesn't see the longer format evolving in women's cricket at a significant pace.

"To play Test cricket, you've got to have structures domestically that allow you to play long-form cricket and they don't really exist in any of the countries at the moment, so I can't really see women's Test cricket or long-form cricket evolving at any particular speed at all," he said.

"That's not to say that those countries that choose to play Test cricket - Australia and England - who provide that to the women can't do so, but I don't see it as part of the landscape moving forward to any real extent at all."

The Kiwi feels white-ball cricket is the future due to its popularity among fans and broadcasters.

"If you look at strategically the way that cricket is going, there's no doubt that white-ball cricket, short-form cricket, is the way of the future.

"That's the game that's sought after by fans, that's where the broadcasters are putting their resource, it's what's driving the money," Barclay concluded.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...f-test-cricket-in-future-101654318850963.html

 

[sam_ahm]

Problem with this T20 league approach is that their main target audience are the casual 'entertainment' seeking audience who are never going to be loyal to watching cricket anyways.

Two of my Nieces, my sister, and a few others in my family itself casually watch IPL and all they know if someone bowls, someone swings a bat and that is it. They have no clue about how exactly cricket is a sport, the new ball swinging, the old ball reversing, batting technique, spin bowlers that come into play in the middle overs, temprament required for batting properly... Nothing. And they don't think a minute to change the channel and watch some songs or daily soaps instead when they like. Still cricket is targeting them as an audience for more money.

A genuine cricket fan will also find entertainment in a good test series or an ODI played on a sporting wicket (Flat wicket ODIs are a prolonged version of T20s which is crap). Many genuine cricket fans are now losing interest as well because of unbelievably high amount of the T20 leagues being played. I don't even know a single team name from the hundred or CPL or whatever carp they play elsewhere.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Problem with this T20 league approach is that their main target audience are the casual 'entertainment' seeking audience who are never going to be loyal to watching cricket anyways.

Two of my Nieces, my sister, and a few others in my family itself casually watch IPL and all they know if someone bowls, someone swings a bat and that is it. They have no clue about how exactly cricket is a sport, the new ball swinging, the old ball reversing, batting technique, spin bowlers that come into play in the middle overs, temprament required for batting properly... Nothing. And they don't think a minute to change the channel and watch some songs or daily soaps instead when they like. Still cricket is targeting them as an audience for more money.

A genuine cricket fan will also find entertainment in a good test series or an ODI played on a sporting wicket (Flat wicket ODIs are a prolonged version of T20s which is crap). Many genuine cricket fans are now losing interest as well because of unbelievably high amount of the T20 leagues being played. I don't even know a single team name from the hundred or CPL or whatever carp they play elsewhere.

Very good post. You have summarised this pretty well. Thanks.

 

[U$ofA]

Problem with this T20 league approach is that their main target audience are the casual 'entertainment' seeking audience who are never going to be loyal to watching cricket anyways.

Two of my Nieces, my sister, and a few others in my family itself casually watch IPL and all they know if someone bowls, someone swings a bat and that is it. They have no clue about how exactly cricket is a sport, the new ball swinging, the old ball reversing, batting technique, spin bowlers that come into play in the middle overs, temprament required for batting properly... Nothing. And they don't think a minute to change the channel and watch some songs or daily soaps instead when they like. Still cricket is targeting them as an audience for more money.

A genuine cricket fan will also find entertainment in a good test series or an ODI played on a sporting wicket (Flat wicket ODIs are a prolonged version of T20s which is crap). Many genuine cricket fans are now losing interest as well because of unbelievably high amount of the T20 leagues being played. I don't even know a single team name from the hundred or CPL or whatever carp they play elsewhere.

Not sure if you have been to this forum lately. There are lot less of you nieces and your sister type fans in the recently concluded IPL. In fact the rating were down by some 35% or so. Which is a huge drop.

No league can sustain such drop in ratings. The market forces will take care of things. IPL may have to shut down with sustained decrease like the past season.

If IPL fails, what chance do the other leagues stand. So perhaps genuine cricket fans don't have to put up with IPL & co. for long.

 

[sam_ahm]

Not sure if you have been to this forum lately. There are lot less of you nieces and your sister type fans in the recently concluded IPL. In fact the rating were down by some 35% or so. Which is a huge drop.

No league can sustain such drop in ratings. The market forces will take care of things. IPL may have to shut down with sustained decrease like the past season.

If IPL fails, what chance do the other leagues stand. So perhaps genuine cricket fans don't have to put up with IPL & co. for long.

That's what I said, a lot of these casual viewers don't have any loyalty towards the IPL Or watching cricket, and why should they? They have many ways to get their prime time entertainment, so cricket should stop targeting them as it's main audience and care for those who actually like the sport.

 

[U$ofA]

That's what I said, a lot of these casual viewers don't have any loyalty towards the IPL Or watching cricket, and why should they? They have many ways to get their prime time entertainment, so cricket should stop targeting them as it's main audience and care for those who actually like the sport.

There is a problem with your statement. Just like people are entitled to their opinions, they are also entitled to their choices. The IPL chooses to target fans. That is their choice.

The ICC is the one that should be upping their game and reaching out to the audience you are talking about. They should be the ones running a competing marketing campaign and actual cricket matches along side the IPL. Not step aside and give IPL a window.

 

[gazza619]

The future of test cricket depends on England Australia & India who must ensure they play 3 test series at home every season.

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

Problem with this T20 league approach is that their main target audience are the casual 'entertainment' seeking audience who are never going to be loyal to watching cricket anyways.

Two of my Nieces, my sister, and a few others in my family itself casually watch IPL and all they know if someone bowls, someone swings a bat and that is it. They have no clue about how exactly cricket is a sport, the new ball swinging, the old ball reversing, batting technique, spin bowlers that come into play in the middle overs, temprament required for batting properly... Nothing. And they don't think a minute to change the channel and watch some songs or daily soaps instead when they like. Still cricket is targeting them as an audience for more money.

A genuine cricket fan will also find entertainment in a good test series or an ODI played on a sporting wicket (Flat wicket ODIs are a prolonged version of T20s which is crap). Many genuine cricket fans are now losing interest as well because of unbelievably high amount of the T20 leagues being played. I don't even know a single team name from the hundred or CPL or whatever carp they play elsewhere.

Totally agree. And the reducing viewership in the IPL is a reflection of this. If they do want the IPL, i am all for a short sharp monthl long tournament and increaing the num of teams and games does not help.If BCCI is not smart about this, it would end up like bileteral ODI's. No one is interested in the 3 years leading up to any WC and people tune in for the last 15 or so games beofore the WC .

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

I'm sure you've all seen the recent developments in European soccer and the overwhelmingly negative reaction from everyone except the breakaway clubs. From FIFA (they are greedy/corrupt but not as much as the breakaway clubs) to UEFA to former players to fans -- everyone is publicly calling out the clubs for their open greed and threatening boycotts up to the World Cup level.

Yet, this setup of the top few making decisions for everyone has been ongoing in cricket for years with the big 3 -- India, Aus, Eng -- and everyone just accepts it because their pockets are lined well.

The popularity of cricket gets masked because of the 1bn+ Indian population but there is no denying that cricket is a 3 nation sport with very little new market growth and the remaining 5-6 nations making up the numbers.

Now that Aus has toured Pak, is it Big 2 or the naya Big 3 is now Ind, Eng & NZ?

 

[U$ofA]

Totally agree. And the reducing viewership in the IPL is a reflection of this. If they do want the IPL, i am all for a short sharp monthl long tournament and increaing the num of teams and games does not help.If BCCI is not smart about this, it would end up like bileteral ODI's. No one is interested in the 3 years leading up to any WC and people tune in for the last 15 or so games beofore the WC .

The IPL is going the other way than the what you want. On the one hand there is a big decline in viewership. But on the other hand IPL is going to expand to somewhere in the 96 game area. And to add to this the up coming broadcasting deal.

So mixed signals.

What do you think is going to happen to the IPL? Do you think the IPL is on the decline? Is it going to wind down?

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

The IPL is going the other way than the what you want. On the one hand there is a big decline in viewership. But on the other hand IPL is going to expand to somewhere in the 96 game area. And to add to this the up coming broadcasting deal.

So mixed signals.

What do you think is going to happen to the IPL? Do you think the IPL is on the decline? Is it going to wind down?

It won't wind down but fans will start losing interest in it after watching couple of games in a season. It is similar to those never ending saas bahu serials on Star Plus.

 

[Moeey]

It won't wind down but fans will start losing interest in it after watching couple of games in a season. It is similar to those never ending saas bahu serials on Star Plus.

IpL will very likely be played multiple times in a year in the future. More money for players except for pakistan players due to political reasons ofcourse. Tamasha league twice a year. No bilaterals. Straight to tests and odi.

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

The IPL is going the other way than the what you want. On the one hand there is a big decline in viewership. But on the other hand IPL is going to expand to somewhere in the 96 game area. And to add to this the up coming broadcasting deal.

So mixed signals.

What do you think is going to happen to the IPL? Do you think the IPL is on the decline? Is it going to wind down?

IPL wont wind down or be on the decline. I'd back BCCI to recognize rhe signals and make it more market savvy or reduce num of games.
However reality is 5 more years of this, they will loose more fans than they gain. The >10 year olds who have just started watching will be bored of IL by the time they are 17. the other factor is the amount of other sports wher we are doing well or awareness increase in the last 10 years or so. Case in point is the Khelo India youth games where even traditional indian sports were recognized and well attended.
All in all, if the viewership does not stack up, the broadcasters are gonna take a hit.

 

[U$ofA]

IPL wont wind down or be on the decline. I'd back BCCI to recognize rhe signals and make it more market savvy or reduce num of games.
However reality is 5 more years of this, they will loose more fans than they gain. The >10 year olds who have just started watching will be bored of IL by the time they are 17. the other factor is the amount of other sports wher we are doing well or awareness increase in the last 10 years or so. Case in point is the Khelo India youth games where even traditional indian sports were recognized and well attended.
All in all, if the viewership does not stack up, the broadcasters are gonna take a hit.

We will have to wait for 5 years to get/see the facts of what actually happens.

 

[MenInG]

I can confirm that reports of Test cricket's demise have been greatly exaggerated!

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

I can confirm that reports of Test cricket's demise have been greatly exaggerated!

Until there are players like Stokes around test cricket will survive

 

[Sir Alex]

Ipl will become a 150+ games affair by 2030.

 

[U$ofA]

I can confirm that reports of Test cricket's demise have been greatly exaggerated!

It was never in doubt in Eng. and Aus. and perhaps, just perhaps Ind.

But are PCB, CWI, SLC, CSA, BD, CNZ giving the same signals? Which way are these boards headed? More or less number of tests?

If you notice, there are twice as many boards in the second line as there are in the first.

By the way all these boards just did a secret deal to shorten the international calendar. Thus giving them an opportunity to play less tests.

 

[MenInG]

New Delhi: Australian great Ian Chappell is certain Test cricket “won’t die” in his lifetime but wondered whether the best players would play it in the future amid the proliferation of T20 leagues. The former Australia captain believed that international cricket faces a real challenge of retaining players in the face of rapid expansion of T20 leagues around the world. “(Test cricket) won’t die in my lifetime. But who’ll be playing it? That’s the big question,” Chappell was quoted as saying by ‘Wide World of Sports’. “If you haven’t got your best players, is Test cricket worth watching? The answer is probably no. Test cricket is a good game, but it’s got to be well played,” he added.

Chappell also spoke about the issue of Chris Lynn seeking a No-objection Certificate (NOC) from Cricket Australia to play in the UAE’s ILT20. Lynn has registered himself as a marquee player in the ILT20 but will require a No-objection Certificate (NOC) from CA to play in the league, something he may not get as the Australian cricket board also runs the Big Bash League at the same time. Chappell said if he were at Lynn’s place he would take CA to court in the event he is not given an NOC.

“To me, you then go back to the World Series Cricket days, where they took the board to court over restraint of trade. Is it a restraint of trade? “In Chris Lynn’s case, if he hasn’t got a contract with Cricket Australia or Cricket Queensland, what’s to stop him? If I was Chris Lynn and I wanted to play in the UAE I’d take them to court. I don’t think Cricket Australia would have a hope in hell.

“It’s got to be a restraint of trade. You’re not contracting him, but you’re not letting him play either,” Chappell said. Coming back to the challenge cricket is facing, Chappell felt the expansion of T20 leagues at a rapid pace will cause huge damage to Test cricket and its future. “I don’t think there’s any doubt about that. For starters, if you’re being realistic you can only play Test cricket between about eight teams. “West Indies have got a problem because they can’t afford to pay their players. Sri Lanka have a reasonable infrastructure but big political problems, and South Africa is similar. Whoever thought of giving Afghanistan and Ireland Test status is off their rocker. But you know why it’s been done, it’s so those countries get a vote.

“To me this whole issue has been coming for quite a while, and I have no sympathy for the administrators.” Chappell, who played 75 Tests for Australia, added, “I think a lot of the older players will get offers from that area, and that will be a real challenge for nations like Australia who have a lot of good players, and also for nations that can’t afford to pay their players the best rates.”

“Then you’ve got the problem of the IPL franchises owning teams in different leagues around the world. If you’ve got a decent IPL contract and the choice is between Australia and your IPL franchise’s UAE team, well are you going to put your IPL contract at risk?”

https://www.cricketcountry.com/news...wholl-be-playing-it-says-ian-chappell-1036463

 

[Kriketer]

Remember in 80s and 90s how all nations used to be strong enough and cricket meant something. After that it became a cash cow for one specific country, and since then the game has been ruined and has gone downhill. Whether you like it or not majority of that blame lies with BCCI, they tried to take charge with their usual third world country's corrupt approach and game is paying the price. There is no quality and push to have more runs and flatter wicket has further pushed excitement level down. You can tell the amount of money BCCI got and still prepare so many flat track bullies who wouldn't survive against any quality bowlers and pitches from the early days speaks for the quality of the game.

 

[Bewal Express]

New Delhi: Australian great Ian Chappell is certain Test cricket “won’t die” in his lifetime but wondered whether the best players would play it in the future amid the proliferation of T20 leagues. The former Australia captain believed that international cricket faces a real challenge of retaining players in the face of rapid expansion of T20 leagues around the world. “(Test cricket) won’t die in my lifetime. But who’ll be playing it? That’s the big question,” Chappell was quoted as saying by ‘Wide World of Sports’. “If you haven’t got your best players, is Test cricket worth watching? The answer is probably no. Test cricket is a good game, but it’s got to be well played,” he added.

Chappell also spoke about the issue of Chris Lynn seeking a No-objection Certificate (NOC) from Cricket Australia to play in the UAE’s ILT20. Lynn has registered himself as a marquee player in the ILT20 but will require a No-objection Certificate (NOC) from CA to play in the league, something he may not get as the Australian cricket board also runs the Big Bash League at the same time. Chappell said if he were at Lynn’s place he would take CA to court in the event he is not given an NOC.

“To me, you then go back to the World Series Cricket days, where they took the board to court over restraint of trade. Is it a restraint of trade? “In Chris Lynn’s case, if he hasn’t got a contract with Cricket Australia or Cricket Queensland, what’s to stop him? If I was Chris Lynn and I wanted to play in the UAE I’d take them to court. I don’t think Cricket Australia would have a hope in hell.

“It’s got to be a restraint of trade. You’re not contracting him, but you’re not letting him play either,” Chappell said. Coming back to the challenge cricket is facing, Chappell felt the expansion of T20 leagues at a rapid pace will cause huge damage to Test cricket and its future. “I don’t think there’s any doubt about that. For starters, if you’re being realistic you can only play Test cricket between about eight teams. “West Indies have got a problem because they can’t afford to pay their players. Sri Lanka have a reasonable infrastructure but big political problems, and South Africa is similar. Whoever thought of giving Afghanistan and Ireland Test status is off their rocker. But you know why it’s been done, it’s so those countries get a vote.

“To me this whole issue has been coming for quite a while, and I have no sympathy for the administrators.” Chappell, who played 75 Tests for Australia, added, “I think a lot of the older players will get offers from that area, and that will be a real challenge for nations like Australia who have a lot of good players, and also for nations that can’t afford to pay their players the best rates.”

“Then you’ve got the problem of the IPL franchises owning teams in different leagues around the world. If you’ve got a decent IPL contract and the choice is between Australia and your IPL franchise’s UAE team, well are you going to put your IPL contract at risk?”

https://www.cricketcountry.com/news...wholl-be-playing-it-says-ian-chappell-1036463

The problem is that the franchises require quality but there isn't enough good cricketers around. And as you destroy the infrastructure below you will produce less not more quality. The irony is that as the Ind franchises ban PK players, PK national team has a chance to develop as the players won't have the option of playing Mickey Mouse cricket for easy money. It's up to us to take advantage of that opportunity

 

[SportsWarrior]

Remember in 80s and 90s how all nations used to be strong enough and cricket meant something. After that it became a cash cow for one specific country, and since then the game has been ruined and has gone downhill. Whether you like it or not majority of that blame lies with BCCI, they tried to take charge with their usual third world country's corrupt approach and game is paying the price. There is no quality and push to have more runs and flatter wicket has further pushed excitement level down. You can tell the amount of money BCCI got and still prepare so many flat track bullies who wouldn't survive against any quality bowlers and pitches from the early days speaks for the quality of the game.

LOL what did BCCI do to cricket in other countries. How are they responsible for whatever happens in other countries. And talking about roads, every country pitches are flatter. Infact india probably has the most variety.

 

[SportsWarrior]

The problem is that the franchises require quality but there isn't enough good cricketers around. And as you destroy the infrastructure below you will produce less not more quality. The irony is that as the Ind franchises ban PK players, PK national team has a chance to develop as the players won't have the option of playing Mickey Mouse cricket for easy money. It's up to us to take advantage of that opportunity

Funny thing is Indian players probably play the least number of t20s. They also play way more tests than Pakistanis and longer series too. And india has one of the most comprehensive first class structure

 

[Bewal Express]

Funny thing is Indian players probably play the least number of t20s. They also play way more tests than Pakistanis and longer series too. And india has one of the most comprehensive first class structure

As the franchise game develops, the top Inds will have no off season.

 

[MenInG]

England secured a resounding 3-0 victory over Pakistan in the recently-concluded Test series. Ben Stokes and Co. dominated the proceedings, blowing the hosts with their new philosophy, which goes by the name Bazball. Despite the change in approach, England skipper Ben Stokes feels red-ball cricket is threatened by the rising-popularity of shorter format of the game.

Well he is not entirely wrong as the dynamics of cricket has heavily been altered with franchise leagues on the rise. Apart from the renowned leagues such as the Indian Premier League (IPL), and Big Bash, two news franchise leagues are set to be introduced next year. The South Africa T20 league, which starts from January is one of them, with many IPL stakeholders forming different teams, who'll take part in the tournament.

Apart from this, cricket has been even shortened with several renowned players taking part in T10 leagues, which is a 10-over a side contest.

Sharing his views on the same, Stokes in an conversation with former England cricketer Ian Botham on BBC noted: "Test cricket has been spoken about in a way I don't like. It is losing the attention of the fans with all the new formats and franchise competitions. We understand there are so many opportunities for players away from Test cricket. But for me it is so important for the game. I love playing Test cricket and felt we could do something different.

"Taking the result away from the mindset is a great starting point. Putting focus on making every day entertaining. Not allowing people to know what is going to happen. If people turn up excited about what they are going to watch you've already won before a ball has been bowled."

While cricket is on the surge with the rise in franchise competitions, but it has adversely impacted the scheduling, a point Stokes further highlighted during the interaction.

Citing the example of the ODI series between England and Australia right after the T20 World Cup, Stokes added: "The scheduling doesn't get enough attention that it should. A great example is England's one-day series against Australia after the T20 World Cup. That was shoving three games in there. It made sense to someone to schedule a series which meant nothing.

"Some people say 'you are playing for England, that should be enough'. But there is a lot more to factor in. You want international cricket to be the highest standard. But we have seen a lot of different squads being picked and players being rested, and that's not the way international cricket should go."

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...rnational-cricket-should-101672053406394.html

 

[MenInG]

Huge stadium - no crowd to speak of - I am guessing this is just Test cricket which is the issue here?

 

[Major]

Huge stadium - no crowd to speak of - I am guessing this is just Test cricket which is the issue here?

wait what? and on social media indian pages i was hearing how motera has a sold out crowd )

 

[cricketjoshila]

Huge stadium - no crowd to speak of - I am guessing this is just Test cricket which is the issue here?

Yesterday it was a 60k plus crowd. Today is a working day. Expect more people tommorow.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Cricket is dying because of multiple formats and how expensive it is.

It costs Cricket Ireland around $ 1.14 million to host 1 Test match. How can you expect Test cricket to grow when it is so ridiculously expensive and small boards will make something like $ 700,000 loss per Test match.

It is impossible to grow traditional bilateral cricket/ long format cricket beyond a point.

The only way cricket will grow is if the boards decide to spend 90 % of their energy and time on T20 leagues and the T20 format in general.

But unfortunately cricket fans are so parochial and elitist that they constantly feel the need to laugh at the shortest format while claiming to be true fans of Test cricket.

There is always a trade off. You can continue to cling on to what your idea of cricket is and watch the sport die or you Cann accept realities and understand that T20 is not what is killing cricket but its a savior.

Can't have it both ways. You can conveniently blame BCCI or somebody else but it won't make any difference.

 

[MenInG]

Yesterday it was a 60k plus crowd. Today is a working day. Expect more people tommorow.

Yesterday was a political rally - so maybe people showed up for that.

 

[gibsyhesperis]

It seems increasingly inevitable that in the short to medium term, Test cricket will be predominantly played by Aus, Eng and India. The other boards neither have the interest or the financial capability to support the format.
We can see this in the planned future Test program — a plethora of two test series between the lesser sides, with longer series between the big three.

Ultimately, in the medium to long term this is unsustainable and Test cricket will whither. It is a shame but it is a product that the paying public around the world donÂ’t seem to want.

I think landmark series will remain; the Ashes are the preeminent example.
For English cricket fans it remains the most important trophy (the recent T20 World Cup win registered on the sports pages of the broadsheets for a day or so, but that was it)
There are virtually no tickets to be had for this summer’s Ashes Tests — even traditionally poorly attended grounds like Old Trafford are fully sold out for the first four days.

I guess we better enjoy it whilst we still canÂ….

 

[moghul]

Yesterday was a political rally - so maybe people showed up for that.

Yes, it was a political show . IK can do the same what Modi did.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Yesterday was a political rally - so maybe people showed up for that.

Actually it was post holi day off. So more people.

 

[Saj]

Too much cricket.

The quality has dipped.

Too many people just wanting T20 cricket.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The number of close games Test cricket has thrown up in the last 5-6 years is simply amazing. Not many T20 I’s and except the 2019 World Cup final , hardly such edge of the seat stuff in ODI cricket. There is a reason Test cricket will remain the greatest test for a player. To…</p>— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) <a href="https://twitter.com/virendersehwag/status/1671494586815090690?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>