Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has questioned the relevance of bilateral ODI series being played two-and-a-half years before the next ODI World Cup. Speaking on X (formerly Twitter) a day after India’s 1-2 loss in the three-match series against Australia, Chopra said that with so many bilateral series scheduled these days, results no longer matter much in the larger scheme of things.
India is set to play three consecutive bilateral ODI series in a span of four months from October to January. After facing Australia, the team will now take on South Africa and New Zealand. According to Chopra, bilateral series now serve more as preparation for global tournaments than as meaningful competitions in themselves.
He also questioned whether the bilateral cricket format needed to be revamped to make it more engaging, suggesting that multi-team tournaments could increase competitiveness and bring back fan interest.
“Bilateral white-ball series are so decontextualized these days that the results of the series don’t matter that much anymore. Don’t really celebrate the win, don’t mourn the loss either. It’s more about individual performances. It’s about finding the right balance for a single ICC event. Has the magic gone?” Chopra wrote on X.
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“Boards around the world need to dig in and agree on a more inclusive cricket calendar. A Tri-Nation or quadrilateral series could bring back the magic. Of course this will require coordination as well as revenue sharing to motivate each team involved. Thoughts?” he added.
Debate over the value of bilateral cricket has been growing in recent years, with fans and players alike expressing concern over the busy international calendar. Many believe that it is almost impossible for a cricketer to play in all formats due to the relentless schedule.
The rise of franchise leagues around the world has also intensified discussions about the future of bilateral ODI deals. In February 2024, for example, South Africa decided to prioritize their marquee T20 tournament, the SA20, over the World Test Championship series, leaving several first-choice players at home.
Chopra’s remarks go beyond a simple criticism of planning; they touch on a deeper concern with the direction of modern cricket. With the next ODI World Cup still more than two years away, the plethora of bilateral series raises questions about player workloads, audience engagement and the true purpose of the 50-over format in today’s game. What once served as a platform for fierce rivalries and memorable contests now often feels like a series of tune-up matches for ICC events. In an era dominated by franchise leagues and shorter formats that attract players and fans alike, ODI cricket risks losing its distinct identity. Chopra’s comments therefore serve as a timely reminder that cricket administrators need to reassess not only the frequency of bilateral series, but also their importance in a landscape where every match competes for attention and relevance.
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Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
October 26, 2025
