The Cricket World Cup is set to commence with defending champions England facing New Zealand in the opening game, launching a marathon tournament that holds the fate of the 50-over format in its hands.

Mark Nicholas, the newly appointed president of the MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club), the custodians of the sport’s laws, expressed his belief in the exclusivity of ODIs (One-Day Internationals) being reserved for World Cups. He stated that bilateral ODIs are struggling to fill stadiums in many countries, attributing the phenomenon to the overwhelming allure of T20 cricket.

The high-speed, power-packed nature of Twenty20 cricket has relegated ODIs to a secondary role in the cricketing landscape. Ian Chappell, former Australia captain, noted that ODIs often hinge on World Cup years for their significance.

The current World Cup features only 10 teams but spans 45 days. In contrast, the Twenty20 World Cup in 2024 will include 20 nations in a tournament condensed into four weeks. Additionally, T20 cricket is poised to become an Olympic sport for 2028.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson believes that T20 and 50-over cricket can coexist. He views the ODI World Cup as a premier event worthy of participation and engagement.

England captain Jos Buttler, leading his team into action at the colossal Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, stressed that they don’t feel the burden of defending the title. Instead, they embrace the fresh start and harbor ambitious dreams.