Ravi Shastri Weighs In On Reduction Of Bilateral T20Is: Franchise Cricket Can Be Encouraged

Regarding the decrease of bilateral T20Is, former India coach Ravi Shastri stated that franchise cricket should be promoted.

The IPL will have a two-and-a-half-month exclusive window, and there will be a significant rise in T20s, according to the ICC’s draft of its future Futures Tours & Programme (FTP).

Multi-format players are feeling the strain as a result of the rising number of encounters. Ben Stokes, the best all-round player for England, startled everyone on Monday by announcing his retirement from ODIs.

I Would Be A Little Careful Of The Number Of Bilateral Splits: Ravi Shastri

The 31-year-old Ben Stokes said that he could no longer “sustain” himself by playing three forms.

In order to make sure that their players would be available for their new domestic T20 league, Cricket South Africa made the decision to withdraw from their ODI series against Australia earlier this month.

“I would be a little careful of the number of bilateral splits, especially in T20 cricket. There’s a lot of franchise cricket which can be encouraged, whichever country it’s in – India, West Indies, or Pakistan,” Ravi Shastri said on the Telegraph’s Sport’s podcast.

“You play fewer bilaterals and then you get together for the World Cups. So the emphasis on ICC World Cup events becomes paramount. Then people look forward to them,” Ravi Shastri added.

Nasser Hussain Feels Two Tiers In Test Cricket Is Needed

Nasser Hussain, a former England captain, has also criticised the jam-packed cricket schedule.

In order to prevent the extinction of the longest format, Shastri also proposed a two-tier Test setup.

“I think two tiers are needed, otherwise Test cricket will die in 10 years’ time.

“You need six teams at the top, and then six teams at the second, and then you qualify. And those top six play against each other more often because of the corridor you open up by having less bilateral T20 cricket and just franchise cricket. That’s the way all formats of the game can survive,” he explained.

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