One-day cricket not feeling the love

Sri Lanka and Australia were locked in a one-sided ODI that wasn't part of the original tour itinerary. In Karachi the same day, Pakistan and New Zealand faced off in the final of a tri-nation series involving South Africa that was put together by PCB only towards the end of January.

- Somshuvra Laha

KOLKATA: On Friday, Sri Lanka and Australia were locked in a one-sided ODI that wasn't part of the original tour itinerary. In Karachi the same day, Pakistan and New Zealand faced off in the final of a tri-nation series involving South Africa that was put together by PCB only towards the end of January. All in anticipation of the Champions Trophy, once billed as the mini World Cup. In another era, these last-minute marshalling of matches would have underscored ODI's robust health. Now, it only emphasises the desperation to get in sync with a format that was once the lifeblood of the game.

It isn't anyway finding many takers too. Like England, doggedly pursuing an inexplicable, frustrating urge to entertain at the risk of looking mindless. Australia are currently grappling with a talent exodus that has seen all their frontline fast bowlers withdrawing citing different reasons, Mitchell Marsh being ruled out due to injury and Marcus Stoinis retiring from ODIs after being selected for the Champions Trophy. India, cricket's self-appointed guardian, are more subtle about expressing their priorities but you don't have to look beyond their ODI record since the 2023 World Cup final at Ahmedabad - nine ODIs, three each against South Africa, Sri Lanka and England, with the squad for South Africa made up almost entirely of new faces under the captaincy of KL Rahul. Goes without saying, mini World Cups have witnessed longer, grander buildups in the past.