Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma get 1 more ICC tournament after 2027 World Cup

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly considering reviving the ODI Super League to revitalize interest in the 50-over format. The proposal was discussed during the ICC’s recent quarterly meeting, and it was the first step toward reintroducing the league that was discontinued after the 2023 World Cup.

Notably, the ICC had launched the ODI Super League in 2020 as a qualification route for the 2023 World Cup in India. The 13-team league, which included 12 Full Members and the Netherlands, was discontinued after just one cycle due to a congested calendar and clashes with international commitments.

ICC to Revive ODI Super League to Revitalize 50-Over Cricket

During the ODI Super League, each team had to play eight three-match series, including four at home and four away. The top seven teams earned direct qualification for the 2023 World Cup, while the remaining sides competed in additional qualifiers.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

However, the growth of T20 cricket and the increasing dominance of franchise leagues have left little room for other formats in the international calendar. According to ESPNcricinfo, the ICC is considering reviving the Super League with a new and more sustainable structure.

The revised format could feature adjusted windows to avoid overlap with T20 tournaments and provide a more balanced playing field for all nations. Notably, the International Cricket Council is also exploring the possibility of using the revived league as a direct qualification pathway for the 2031 ODI World Cup.

ICC’s Proposal to Revive ODI Super League Lacks Clarity on the Number of Teams

The ICC’s proposal to revive the ODI Super League has no clarity yet on how many teams would participate. Notably, the league is expected to return from 2028.

An official told ESPNcricinfo that the initiative aims to restore relevance to 50-over cricket by giving it a stronger structure rather than replacing it altogether.

"The Super League could help revitalize the 50-over format. Maybe the problem is not that the format is necessarily dead; it's finding the proper structure,” one administrator said, quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

Despite these discussions, the governing body is not currently considering expanding the World Cup format beyond 14 teams, which will be implemented in 2027 after featuring only ten in recent editions.

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli Finished as the Leading Run-Getters in the ODI World Cup 2023

India, led by Rohit Sharma, finished as runner-up during the ODI World Cup 2023. The Men in Blue dominated the group stage and reached the knockout stage unbeaten. They went on to defeat New Zealand by 70 runs in the semi-final clash at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

However, the team failed to overcome Pat Cummins-led Australia in the summit clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Notably, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli finished as the top two leading run-getters in the tournament.

Kohli scored 765 runs in 11 matches at an average of 95.62 and a strike rate of 90.32, including three centuries. He also won the 'Player of the Tournament' award. Rohit scored 597 runs in 11 matches at an average of 54.27 and a strike rate of 125.95, with one century to his name.

Also read: Virat Kohli blocks BCCI, Rohit Sharma surrenders to selectors' demands! What's the future?